Wrist muscle performance in students with chronic nonspecific neck pain: an isokinetic assessment

Abstract

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are highly prevalent among physiotherapy students and therapists. This high prevalence highlights the specific link between sustained cervical loading which can precipitate nonspecific neck pain and upper extremity dysfunction, clarifying that proximal neck pain may contribute to distal upper extremity impairment. This observational cross section comparative study investigated whether chronic nonspecific neck pain (CNSNP) influences wrist flexor and extensor performance metrics, such as peak torque, average power, total work and work fatigue. Ninety participants (n = 36 females, n = 54 males, age: 18–23) were allocated to either the CNSNP group (n = 44 participants with CNSNP) or the asymptomatic control group (n = 46 participants without CNSNP). A Biodex isokinetic dynamometer operating at an angular velocity of 180°/s was used to measure the endurance parameters of the wrist flexors and extensors. Chronic nonspecific neck pain did not significantly affect wrist muscle performance parameters (peak torque, average power, total work, work fatigue) measured by isokinetic dynamometry at 180°/s (F (1,86) = 1.40, p = 0.241, η²partial = 0.06). While there was no difference in muscle performance across groups, there was a significant difference in flexion and extension movements (F (1,86) = 7.86, p < 0.001, η²partial = 0.27). Wrist flexion peak torque and pain intensity showed a positive correlation (r = 0.47, p = 0.03), but no other significant correlations were found. CNSNP did not significantly impair overall wrist muscle performance in these young physiotherapy students and interns, revealing preserved neuromuscular capacity and movement‑specific modulation of wrist motor control rather than a global loss of force output, clarified by the pain-related increase in wrist flexor peak torque. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT06240611 (February 5, 2024) Retrospectively registered.