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Table 3 Description of studies measuring active range of neck motion

From: Electronic measures of movement impairment, repositioning, and posture in people with and without neck pain—a systematic review

First author, year, design

Study population

Testing circumstances

Device

Comparison of range of motion

Type of neck pain, pain duration, pain intensity, sex (♂,♀), mean age (SD), mean BMI (SD), recruitment, occupation

Controls’ sex (♂,♀), mean age (SD), mean BMI (SD), recruitment, occupation

Examiners professional background, training, blinding

Instructions standardised, type of test, training, repeated, restrictions applied*

Type, sample rate (Hz), measurement error, LOA, ICC, SEM

Neck pain group I, type, degrees (SD)

Neck pain group II, type, degrees (SD)

Healthy controls, type, degrees (SD)

Armstrong 2005, case control

WAD II and III, 28.5 (19.5) months, NPRS 4.7 (1.6), 8♂, 15♀, 41.2 (11.9), 24.7 (4.7), local newspaper, NR

10♂, 13♀, 33.9 (12.1), 23.4 (3.2), local newspaper, NR

NR, NR, NR

Yes, AROM and JPE, NR, NR, sitting, back support, no, to pain limit, NR, blindfolded

3-Space Fastrak, 40 Hz, 0,2, NR, > 0,96, NR

WAD. F: 34.6 (8.8), E: 48.2 (13.4), LR: 61.0 (9.0), RR: 60.5 (9.3), LLF: 33.9 (7.5), RLF: 33.2 (7.0)

 

HC. F: 37.5 (7.5), E: 60.1(9.7), LR: 69.1 (8.8), RR: 67.4 (8.2), LLF: 37.2 (7.5), RLF: 37.3 (6.8)

Baydal 2011, case control

WAD II and III, > 6 month, < 12 months, NR (NR), 15♂, 15♀, (NR), NR (NR), rehabilitation unit, NR. Simulators, NR (NR), non-symptomatic (NR), 15♂, 14♀, NR (NR), NR (NR), IBV database, NR

15♂, 15♀, NR (NR), NR (NR), NR, NR

NR, NR, NR

Yes, repetitive flexion–extension, yes, no, sitting, back support, fixed to the back support, NR, self-selected, no

Video-photogrammetry system, NR, NR, NR, NR, NR

WAD. F/E: 90 (22)

WAD simulators. F/E:55 (24)b

HC. F/E: 119 (17)ac

Cagnie 2007, case control

INP, > 6 months, NR (NR), 0♂, 14♀, 28.3 (5.4), NR (NR), local advertisement, NR. WAD II, > 6 months (NR), NR (NR), 0♂, 16♀, 27.2 (4.8), NR (NR), local advertisement, NR

48♂, 48♀, NR (NR), NR (NR), NR, NR

NR, NR, NR

NR, AROM, yes, yes, sitting with no back support, no, end range, self-selected, no

Zebris CMS 70P US-based motion analysis system, NR, NR, NR, 0.8 < intra < 0.87, 0.92 < inter < 0.94, 5.47 < intra < 7.88, 4.25 < inter < 5.78

WAD. F/E: ≈ 113 (≈ 24), R: ≈ 137 (≈ 24), LF: ≈ 81 (≈ 16)

INP. F/E: ≈ 145c (≈ 32), R: ≈ 153 (≈ 20), LF: ≈ 97c (≈ 16)

HC. F/E: ≈ 153a (≈ 16), R: ≈ 198ab (≈ 16), LF: ≈ 97 (≈ 16)

Cheng 2009, case control

CNP, 4.4 (2.2) years, NPRS 3.7 (0.8), 6♂, 6♀, 25.4 (2.1), NR (NR), NR, graduated students, teachers, or clinicians

7♂, 5♀, 24.9 (1.8), NR (NR), NR, graduated students

NR, NR, NR

NR, neck flexion/extension, yes, NR, sitting, back support, yes, not end range, self-selected, no

Electrogoniometer (CXTLA02, Crossbow, Inc., San Jose, CA, USA), NR, 0.1°, NR, NR, NR

CNP. F: 43.5 (6.5), E: 42.8 (6.5)

 

HC. F: 44.2 (7.5), E: 47.0 (5.4)

De Pauw 2018, case control

INP, 86.97 (84.88) months, NPRS 2 (2.08), 0♂38♀, 38.00 (1.41), 22.75 (7.77), internet, flyers and posters, NR. WAD, 86.62 (86.66), NPRS 5 (2.70), 0♂35♀, 47.00 (1.11), 22.30 (3.64), internet, flyers and posters, NR

0♂ 30♀, 30.45 (1.15), 21.83 (3.81), internet, flyers, and posters, NR

NR, NR, NR

NR, AROM, NR, yes, sitting, unclear, NR, NR, NR

Acumar digital inclinometer, model ACU360; Lafayette Instrument Co, Lafayette, IN, USA, NR, 1°, NR, NR, NR

INP, F: 55.09 (10.02), E: 64.15 (14.78), LLF: 36.76 (7.62), RLF: 35.23 (7.62)

WAD, F: 44.64 (17.39), E: 51.50 (20.73)c, LLF: 33.06 (12.59), RLF: 31.94 (12.50)c

HC, F: 62.96 (8.73)ab, E: 73.89 (13.62)b, LLF: 41.52 (7.21)b, RLF: 40.68 (6.75)ab

Feipel 2006, case control

WAD, 31 (32) months, NR (NR), 11♂, 18♀, 37 (14), NR (NR), NR, NR

12♂, 14♀, 35 (11), NR (NR), NR, NR

NR, NR, NR

Yes, ROM (F/E and R) HRE, yes, yes, sitting back support, no, end range, self-selected, yes and no

3D electrogoniometer (CA 6000 Spine Motion Analyzer, O.S.I., Union City, CA),100 Hz, NR, NR, NR, NR

WAD. F: 54 (11), E: 47 (14)

 

HC. F: 64a (9), E: 56 (13)

Grip 2007, case control

CNP, > 3 months, VAS 49.2(20.8) mm, 7♂, 14♀, 49 (16), NR (NR), rehabilitation clinics and medical centres, NR. WAD I and II, > 3 months, VAS 66.1 (18.8) mm, 5♂, 17♀, 49 (15), NR (NR), rehabilitation clinics and medical centres, NR

8♂, 16♀, 50 (18), NR (NR), advertisement, NR

Research assistant, NR, NR

Yes, AROM, JPE, yes, yes, sitting, NR, no, end range self-selected, eyes closed

Myrin device and ProReflex system (Qualisys Medical AB®, Gothenburg, Sweden), 120, 0.8 (1.73), NR, NR, NR

CNP. F: 52.0 (17.2), E: 43.6 (18.4), LR: 55.1 (14), RR: 54.6 (14.8)

WAD. F: 38.0 (18.4)c, E: 30.0 (19.4)c, LR: 43.1 (15.3) c, RR: 44.1 (12.7)

HC. F: 61.4 (12.9)b, E: 59.3 (13.8)ab, LR: 66.8 (9.2)ab, RR: 67.8 (9.1)

Grip 2008, case control

CNP, > 3 months, VAS 49.2 (NR) mm, 7♂, 14♀, 49 (16), NR (NR), rehabilitation clinics and medical centres, NR. WAD I and II, > 3 months, 66.1 (18.8) mm, 5♂, 17♀, 49 (15), NR (NR), rehabilitation clinics and medical centres, NR

8♂, 16♀, 50 (18), NR (NR), advertisement, NR

NR, NR, NR

Yes, fast head rotation, yes, yes, sitting, NR, NR, pain limit, fast as possible, no

ProReflex system (Qualisys Medical AB®, Gothenburg, Sweden), 120, 0.8 (1.73), NR, NR, NR

CNP. F: 46.6 (18.0), E: 38.2 (12.3), pooled rotation: 55.7 (16.1)

WAD. F: 31.6 (18.1)c, E: 27.0 (14.8)c, pooled rotation: 41.9 (19)c

HC. F: 65.3 (10.8)ab, E: 51.2 s (11.4)b, pooled rotation: 71.3 (11.3)ab

Guo 2012, case control

NP, NR (NR), VAS 27 (20) mm, 13♂, 14♀, 24.2 (5.9), NR (NR), NR, NR

Total 13, NR♂, NR♀, 20.9 (1.3), NR (NR), NR, NR

NR, NR, NR

NR, AROM, NR, NR, sitting, NR, NR, end range, self-selected, NR

Fastrak, Polhemius, USA, 120, NR, NR, AROM: > 0, 791 conjuct motion: > 0.4, NR

NP. F: 59.7 (13.7), E: 70.8 (15.4), LR: 68.1 (9.3), RR: 63.1 (9.5), LLF: 44.4 (10.3), RLF: 46.0 (9.0)

 

HC. F: 62.2 (11.1), E: 79.4 (11.7)a, LR: 69.8 (7.1), RR: 71.2 (6.4)a, LLF: 46.6 (6.0), RLF: 48.6 (6.9)

Law 2013, case control

NP, NR (NR), NR (NR), 9♂, 17♀, 44.52 (7.11), NR (NR), physiotherapy department, NR

9♂, 17♀, 45.28 (9.12), NR (NR), physiotherapy department, NR

Physiotherapists, yes

Yes, AROM, yes, yes, sitting (F, E, LF), prone (R), yes, end range, slow, no

Electronic CROM goniometer, on activation, NR, NR, 0.71 < 091, 3.50 (154.72–168.44) < 6.05 (112.11–135.81)

NP. F/E: 89.09 (14.38), R: 134.42 (18.91), LF: 69.04 (12.54)

 

HC. F/E: 123.96 (15.12)a, R: 161.58 (9.36)a, LF: 89.19) (13.10)a

Lemmers 2018, case control

Non-specific, NR, 4 (2) NPRS, 16♂19♀, 48 (15), NR, physiotherapy clinic, NR

50♂ 50♀, 44 (16), NR, physiotherapy clinic, NR

NR, NR, NR

Yes, AROM, yes, yes, sitting with back support, no, pain limit, self-selected, no

‘Flock of Birds electromagnetic tracking system (Ascension Technologies, Shelburne, USA©), no, NR, NR, NR, NR’

Non-specific NP, F/E: 94.30 (17.41), R LF: 53.21 (14.44)

 

HC, F/E: 100.48 (18.30), LF: 57.35 (14.81)

Meisingset 2015, case control

NP, > 2 weeks, NPRS 4.6 (1.4), 20♂, 55♀, 43.1 (12.9), 24.9 (4.7), private physiotherapy clinic and specialised neck and back pain clinic at university hospital, NR

43♂, 48♀, 40.8 (13.8), 25 (3.5), university hospital, NR

Physiotherapist, well trained, NR

Unclear, AROM, JPE, unclear, yes, sitting, back support, fixed to back support, end range, self- selected, yes (JPE test)

Electromagnetic motion tracker system (Polhemus, Inc, Colchester, Vermont, USA), 240 Hz, NR, NR, NR, NR

NP (adjusted for age and gender). F/E: 110.1 (19.4), R: 128.2 (17.7), LF: 68.1 (15.5)

 

HC (adjusted for age and gender). F/E: 126.2a (19.5), R: 140.7a (17), LF: 72.6a (15.1)

Park 2017, case control

UPNP, > 6 weeks, VAS 60.45 (7.70) mm, 10♂10♀, 23.45 (1.9), NR, students at Yonsei University, NR

10♂ 10♀, 23.35 (2.08), NR, students at Yonsei University, NR

NR, NR, NR

No, AROM, NR, NR, sitting with back support, yes, pain limit, NR, NR

Students at Yonsei University, Germany), 20, 1°, NR, 0.80-0.90, NR

UPNP, F: 51.60 7.49), E: 64.71 (7.10), R non-pain side: 55.31 (9.68), R pain side: 50.79 (10.01), LF non-paid side: 40.45 (4.52), LF pain side: 31.88 6.11)

 

HC, F: 59.73 (7.28)a, E: 72.59 (7.84)a, R non-pain side: 56.63 (7.83)a, R pain side: 58.43 (8.55), LF non-pain side: 44.92 (4.15)LF pain side: 40.11 (5.74)

Prushansky 2006, case control

WAD II and III, > 6 months < 132 months, NR (NR), 47♂, 54♀, 40.3 (10.6), (NR), NR, NR

16♂, 59♀, 36.3 (8.9) (8.9), NR (NR), NR, NR

NR, NR, NR

Yes, AROM, NR, yes, NR, NR, pain limit, self-selected, NR

Zebris CMS 70P system (Zebris Medizintechnik Gmbh, Isny, Germany), NR, NR, NR, NR, NR

WAD. F: 30.5 (15.1), E: 28.9 (13.3), LR: 43.1 (16.6), RR: 41.3 (14.3), LLF: 27.1 (9.6), RLF: 25.9 (10.0)

 

HC. F: 58.7 (12.7), E: 64.1 (15.5), LR: 73.9 (10.7), RR: 71.1 (9.3), LLF: 41.9 (8.0), RLF: 43.0 (7.6)

Röijezon 2010, case control

Non-specific neck pain (sample 1), 132 (NR) months, VAS 62 (16) mm, 0♂, 16♀, 48 (7), 26.6 (4.9), local papers, NR. Non-specific neck pain (sample 2), 120 (NR) months, NPRS 5.4 (1.6), 0♂, 102♀, 51 (9), 26.7 (4.7), local papers, NR

0♂, 16♀, 45 (10), 23.8 (1.7), local papers, NR 0♂, 33♀, 47 (10), 24.9 (4.1), local papers, NR

NR, NR, NR

Yes, no, fast ROM, yes, yes, sitting, NR, NR, fast as possible, no

Electromagnetic tracking system (FASTRAK™, Polhemus Inc, USA), 60 Hz, NR, NR, peak speed: HC 0.75 (0.41–0.91), NP 0.84 (0.58–0.94). ROM: HC 0.64 (0.21–86), NP 0.86 (0.63–0.95), peak speed: HC 33 (25–52), NP 41 (31–64). HC ROM: 4.2 (3.1–6.4), NP 3.8 (2.8–5.9

NP. R: 52.7 (9.2)

 

HC. R: 61.5 (8.3)a

Rudolfsson 2012, case control

CNP, 120 (NR) months, NPRS 3.5 (2.0), 0♂, 102♀, 51 (9), 26.7 (4.7), NR, NR

0♂, 33♀, 47 a (10), 24.9 (4.1), NR, NR

NR, NR, yes

Yes, F, E and R, NR, yes, sitting with back support, fixed, end range, self-selected, eyes closed

Fastrak, Polhemus Inc, USA, 60, NR, NR, NR, NR

NP. UC F: 32.6 (6.1), UC E: 40.4 (9.2), LC F: 16.0 (5.4), LC E: 3.0 (2.8), R: 115.2 (17.0)

 

HC. UC F:33.9 (6.0), UC E: 50.9 (8.2), LC F: 21.1 (4.5), LC E: 5.4 (4.2), R: 136.2 (15.0)

Rudolfsson 2017, cross-sectional

Non-specific neck pain, 60 (24–124) months, NPRS 4,62 (1,8), 0♂120♀, 47,3 (11,6), 24,7 (4,2), NR, NR

0♂ 40♀ 46,9 (11,8), 23,3 (2,8), NR, NR

Medical doctor, NR, NR

Yes, AROM (F/E), natural head posture, NR, yes, sitting, back support, fix to back support, far as possible, NR, NR

FASTRAK, Polhemus Inc., Colchester, VT, USA, 40 Hz, NR, NR, NR, NR

NP: UC F: 33.7 (7.0). UC E: − 46.0 (10.6). LC F: 11.8 (6.0). LC E: − 1.8 (4.7)

 

HC: UC F: 36.3 (7.8)a. UC E: − 53.3 (9.9). LC F: 16.3 (5.3). LC E: 2.6 (5.9)a

Sarig-Bahat 2010, case control

CNP, 43.4 (5.3), VAS 33 (20.5) mm, 9♂, 16♀, 39.0 (12.7), NR (NR), local physiotherapy clinic, NR

11♂, 31♀, 35.3 (12.4), NR (NR), University of Haifa, NR

NR, NR, NR

Yes, AROM, no, yes, sitting, yes, end range, NR, NR

Fastrak, Polhemus, 60, NR, NR, NR, NR

CNP. F: 46.1 (16.4), E: 43.1 (15.0), LR: 59.2 (11.0), RR: 57.5 (12.5)

 

HC. F: 58.4 (11.5), E: 44.3 (10.9), LR: 66.7 (6.6), RR: 66.3 (7.5)

Sjølander 2008, case control

Insidious neck pain, 97 (68) months, VAS 52 (16) mm, 0♂, 9♀, 40 (9), NR (NR), rehabilitation centre, NR. WAD II and III, 76 (84), VAS 45 (19) mm, 2♂, 5♀, 45 (11), NR (NR), rehabilitation centre, NR

3♂, 13♀, 41 (9), NR (NR), local community, NR

NR, NR, NR

Yes, AROM in rotation, yes, yes, standing, NA, end range, fast as possible, NR

Electromagnetic tracking system, 60, NR, NR, NR, NR

Insidious neck pain. LR: 61.8 (10.9), RR: 57.9 (11.0)

WAD. LR: 68.5 (12.9), RR: 67.7 (12.1)

HC. LR: 71.9 (13), RR: 70.7 (11.2)

Tsang 2013, case control

CNP, 5.13 years, NPRS 38.97/100, 9♂25♀, 38.44 (10.87), 21.77 (3.03), local community, NR

9♂ 25♀, 34.35 (9.08), 22.07, local community, NR

NR, NR, NR

Yes, AROM, yes, yes, sitting, NR, no, end range, NR, no

Fastrak, Polhemus Inc., Colchester, VT, USA, 30, NR, NR, NR, NR

CNP. F: ≈ 33 (4), E: ≈ 28 (6), LR: ≈ 57 (8), RR: ≈ 58 (10), LLF: ≈ 25 (8), RLF: ≈ 28 (8)

 

HC. F: ≈ 32 (6), E: ≈ 28 (6), LR: ≈ 61 (10), RR: ≈ 61 (8), LLF: ≈ 25 (6), RLF: ≈ 28 (69)

Vogt 2007, case control

CNP, NR (NR), WAS 37 (8) mm, 6♂, 10♀, 55.8 (2.8), NR (NR), co-operating rehabilitation clinics, NR

8♂, 10♀, 56.6 (3.5) (3.5), NR (NR), advertisements, NR

NR, NR, NR

Yes, AROM, yes, yes, sitting, NR, end range, self-selected, NR

Zebris CMS 70©, Germany, 30, > 0.6 mm, NR, > 0.92 (r = 0.996–0.921; p < 0.001), NR

CNP. F: 40.7 (19.9), E: 44.3 (18.4), LR: 52.6 (17.3), RR: 56.6 (18.9), LLF: 25.4 (9.6), RLF: 27.8 (14.0)

 

HC. F: 56.3 (8.5), E: 67.3 (10.2), LR: 75.3 (7.5), RR: 68.6 (6.5), LLF: 35.0 (6.6), RLF:35.1 (6.8)

Waeyaert 2016, case control

CNP,> 3 months, NR (NR), 9♂, 28♀, 45.72 (13.19), NR (NR), NR, NR

91♂, 59♀, 40.85 (13.19), NR (NR), NR, NR

Manual therapists, 2–20 years, yes

Unclear, AROM, NR, yes, sitting, NR, NR, withoutcausing discomfort, NR, NR

Electromagnetic tracking system (Flock of Birds; Ascension Technologies, Shelburne, VT), NR, NR, NR, NR, NR

CNP. F/E: NR (NR), R: NR (NR), LF: 59.28 (15.41)

 

HC. F/E: NR (NR), R: NR (NR), LF: 68.67a (15.17)

Wilke 2016, case control

Myofascial neck pain, NR (NR), NR (NR), 9♂, 13♀, 33.4 (13.9), 22.9 (3.5), clinic for orthopaedic surgery

9♂, 13♀, 34.5 (13), 23.8 (3.6), NR, NR

NR, NR, NR

Unclear, AROM, yes, yes, sitting, NR, NR, NR, NR, NR

Three-dimensional, ultrasonic movement analysis system (Zebris CMS 70, Zebris Meditechnic GmbH, Isny, Germany), 30 Hz, > 0.6 mm, NR, 0.86-0.95, NR

CNP. F/E: 125.9 (23.2)

 

HC. F/E: 128.2 (20.4)

Woodhouse 2008, case control

WAD I and II, > 6 months, NPRS 5.60 (2.49), 22♂, 34♀, 38.19 (10.8), NR (NR), referred, NR. CNP, > 6 months (NR), NPRS 3.84 (− 1.74), 19♂, 38♀, 43.7 (12.6), NR (NR), physiotherapists and general practitioners, NR

29♂, 28♀, 38.2 (10.9), NR (NR), different, NR

NR, NR, No

NR, AROM, NR, yes, sitting, NR, end range, NR, eyes closed

3-Space Fastrak, 120 Hz, reference, NR, NR, NR

WAD. F/E: 81.8 (34.6), R: 106.2 (34.7), LF: 60.9 (18.8)

CNP. F/E: 114.0 (20.0)c, R: 133.1 (18.6)c, LF: 72.2 (13.2)c

HC. F/E: 134.0 (20.7)ab, R: 151.7 (16.5)ab, LF: 84.9 (13.8)ab

  1. Abbreviations: AROM active range of motion, BMI body mass index, CNP chronic neck pain, F/E flexion/extension, HC healthy controls, HRE head repositioning error, ICC intraclass correlation coefficients, INP idiopathic neck pain, JPE joint positioning error, LF lateral flexion, LLF left lateral flexion, LOA limits of agreement, LR left rotation, NP neck pain, NPRS numeric pain rating scale, NR not reported, R rotation, RLF right lateral flexion, RR right rotation, UPNP unilateral posterior neck pain, SD standard deviation, SEM standard error of measurement, VAS visual analog scale, WAD whiplash-associated disorder
  2. *Is test position in sitting, standing, with back support? Is the test subject fixed to the back support? Test to end range or pain limit? Movement speed self-selected, fast as possible or fixed? Is the test subject blindfolded?
  3. aSignificant difference neck pain group I vs HC (p > 0,05)
  4. bSignificant difference neck pain group II vs HC (p > 0,05)
  5. cSignificant difference neck pain group I vs II (p > 0,05). ≈ Red from a graph