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A pilot study on changes in passive range of motion in the cervical spine, for children aged 0-5 years
1Department of Paediatrics, University of Gothenburg, Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden. anna.ohman@vgregion.se
Insights
Passive range of motion (PROM) in the neck decreases in rotation but remains stable in lateral flexion from infancy to 5 years of age. These findings highlight developmental changes in pediatric cervical spine mobility.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric physical therapy
- Developmental biomechanics
- Cervical spine kinematics
Background:
- Understanding typical neck range of motion in children is crucial for identifying potential developmental abnormalities.
- Previous measurements of passive range of motion (PROM) were taken during infancy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine passive range of motion (PROM) values for neck rotation and lateral flexion in children aged 3.5-5 years.
- To compare these values with previously recorded measurements from the same children as infants.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-three children (10 female) aged 3.5-5 years were assessed.
- Passive range of motion (PROM) in neck rotation and lateral flexion was measured using a large protractor while children were lying down.
- A dependent t-test was used for statistical comparison with infant PROM data.
Main Results:
- At 3.5-5 years, mean neck PROM was 100° in rotation and 70° in lateral flexion.
- A statistically significant decrease in rotational PROM was observed when compared to measurements taken during infancy.
Conclusions:
- Passive range of motion (PROM) in neck rotation shows a decrease during the first five years of life.
- Passive range of motion (PROM) in neck lateral flexion appears to remain unchanged during this developmental period.
Background:
The aim of this study was to investigate the values for passive range of motion (PROM) in rotation and lateral flexion of the neck, for children aged 3.5-5 years, and to compare the results with the measurements carried out on the same group of children as infants.
Method:
Twenty-three children (10 females) were assessed in PROM in rotation and lateral flexion of the neck. Both measurements were performed with the children in a lying position using a large protractor. The dependent t-test was used to compare PROM with the PROM from an earlier study when the children were infants.
Result:
PROM of the neck was found to be a mean 100° in rotation and 70° in lateral flexion at the age of 3.5-5 years. There was a significant decrease in rotation when comparing the measurements with values from infancy.
Conclusions:
These data suggest that there is a decrease in PROM in rotation during the first 5 years of life, and that PROM in lateral flexion remains unchanged.
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