Association of Neck Pain Characteristics With Limits of Stability and Functional Mobility in Adults With Chronic Neck...

The study aimed to compare limits of stability (LoS) scores and Timed Up and Go test (TUG) times between adults aged between 18-65 years with and without chronic neck pain (CNP) and to determine the associations of pain characteristics with these measures. Forty-five adults with CNP and forty-five asymptomatic controls were included. LoS scores were obtained for eight directions, with each target positioned at 45° intervals, using a stabilometric platform. TUG was performed at a self-selected comfortable speed under two conditions: without a concurrent task and while counting backwards by threes. Groups were compared using the analysis of covariance. Correlations between variables were determined and multiple linear regression was performed to determine whether pain characteristics predict the composite LoS score and TUG time. In the results, adults with CNP exhibited lower LoS scores in all directions except forward and backward and longer TUG times under both conditions (p < 0.05). In both groups, higher LoS scores were correlated with shorter TUG times while counting (p < 0.05), but not with TUG times without a concurrent task (p > 0.05). After adjusting for demographics, pain intensity during neck movements and neck disability explained an additional 29.2% of the variance in the composite LoS score and an additional 15.7% of the variance in TUG time while counting backwards (p < 0.05). Neck disability uniquely predicted both the composite LoS score (β = -0.413) and TUG time while counting (β = 0.391), after adjusting for demographics and pain intensity (p < 0.05). LoS and TUG may be relevant parameters to consider in individuals with CNP, particularly given their association with neck disability.