The time-course changes in postural control variability between neck pain and asymptomatic dental students

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Musculoskeletal Health
• Dental Education

Background:

• Postural control changes in dental students during clinical practice are understudied.
• Neck pain is a common issue among dental professionals, potentially affecting posture.
• Understanding these changes is crucial for student well-being and clinical performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the evolution of postural control complexity in dental students over their first semester of clinical practice.
• To compare postural control changes between students with and without neck pain.
• To identify potential differences in postural adaptation to clinical demands.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire for group assignment (neck pain vs. asymptomatic).
• Measured center of pressure (CoP) oscillations using a tri-axial force plate.
• Analyzed CoP fluctuations via sample entropy to quantify postural control complexity.

Main Results:

• Postural control complexity decreased in dental students after the first semester of clinical practice.
• Asymptomatic students showed more irregular CoP oscillations (anterior-posterior and medial-lateral).
• Students with neck pain exhibited a more rigid postural control pattern, particularly in the anterior-posterior direction.

Conclusions:

• Clinical training impacts postural control complexity in dental students.
• Differences in postural control emerge between students with and without neck pain during clinical exposure.
• Neck pain may be associated with more rigid postural control patterns in dental students undergoing clinical training.