Association Between Neck Pain, Range of Motion, and Proprioception in Elite Female International Standard Dancers: A Case-Control Study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Neck pain is common in dancers, especially female dancers, and the injury pattern varies in different genres of dance. Among dancesport performers, intensive neck left rotation is required in female International Standard dancers, but it is unknown whether neck pain is associated with neck rotation range of motion and proprioception. OBJECTIVES: To explore the associations between neck pain, cervical rotation range of motion, and proprioception in female International Standard dancers. METHODS: Twelve dancers with dance-related neck pain (age 19.9±1.9 yrs) volunteered, matched with 12 not reporting neck pain (age 22.2±2.4 yrs). A 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS) was used to record neck pain. Active rotation range of motion (AROM) of the cervical spine was measured using a tape measure. A cervical rotation reposition test that used a head-mounted laser projector on a linear scale was employed to measure the cervical spine proprioception, and the absolute error (AE) and variable error (VE) were calculated as proprioceptive acuity scores. RESULTS: Nine of 12 participants in the group with neck pain declared left side pain, with 2 reporting pain on both sides. The group with neck pain had significantly lower left rotation AROM (p<0.05). For proprioceptive acuity, mixed model ANOVA only showed that repositioning of the right side of the neck is more accurate and consistent than that of the left (both AE and VE p<0.05). Linear regression analysis indicated that left rotation AROM was significantly influenced by left neck pain (t=3.061, p=0.006, adjusted R2 = 0.267, and Durbin-Watson value = 1.776). CONCLUSIONS: Most participants in the group with neck pain showed left side pain, associated with decreased left rotation AROM. Early screening on cervical rotation mobility may be necessary to reduce future dance-related injury after the onset of neck pain. Proprioceptive acuity of the left side neck was significantly impaired compared with that of the right, indicating future proprioceptive intervention on the left side neck.