Objective evaluation of neck muscle tension and static balance in patients with chronic dizziness

Increase in the average value of bilateral neck muscle tension (ANT) indicates the increase in neck muscle tension to stabilize static posture resulting from vestibular compensation. Asymmetry of neck muscle tension was closely related to postural imbalance.

Patients with dizziness often complain of neck symptoms with stiff neck. This study was conducted to clarify the pathophysiological mechanism of neck symptoms in patients with dizziness.

We objectively measured bilateral trapezius muscle tension in patients with chronic dizziness and determined its relationship with static postural perturbation. The study included 26 patients with chronic dizziness caused by unilateral vestibular deficit and 24 healthy controls. The tension of bilateral trapezius muscles was objectively measured using a neck muscle tension meter. ANT and the ratio (right/left) of the bilateral neck muscle tension (RNT) were calculated. Static posturography was performed to measure total length of path (LNG).

ANT was negatively correlated to LNG under the eyes closed (EC) condition only in the case of the patients (r = -0.44, p < 0.05). In the case of both the controls and the patients with a unilateral vestibular deficit, RNT was positively correlated to LNG under the EC condition.