Psychological and Physical Characteristics of Neck Pain in University Students / 日本温泉気候物理医学会雑誌

ABSTRACT

Objective: Neck pain is a very common complaint in the general population. However, little is known about the characteristics of this complaint. The aim of this study was to clarify the psychological and physical characteristics of neck pain. Method: The subjects were 13 adult men with complaints of neck pain (NP group, mean age 20.2±0.7 years) and 10 healthy volunteers (CON group, mean age 21.2±1.5 years). This study used findings of neck tenderness and muscle stiffness for evaluation of neck pain, and employed the visual analog scale (VAS) to record the subjects’ assessment of their pain. State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), MOS 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), VAS for evaluation of perceived stress, and measurements of salivary cortisol density levels were utilized to measure stress. The salivary cortisol density was measured by the enzyme immunity method of measurement (the ELISA method). In addition, saliva samples were collected between 9 AM to 10 AM. Results: The mean VAS score for neck pain in the NP group was 56.9±17.3. There was no significant difference in muscle stiffness between the groups. Tenderness of the upper trapezius fibers and right splenius capitis muscle were significantly higher in the NP group (p<0.05). The VAS score of perceived stress and the state anxiety of STAI were significantly higher in the NP group (p<0.05). The SF-36 score was significantly lower in the CON group (p<0.05). The trait anxiety of STAI and the salivary cortisol density were not significantly different. Conclusion: There was no significant difference in the salivary cortisol density levels between the two groups. The degrees of perceived stress and uneasiness were reported as higher in the NP group, while the degrees of psychological and physical health were lower. These findings suggest the role of psychosociological factors in neck pain.