Biomechanical Risk Factors of Cervical Pain in Pregnant Women

Biomechanical Risk Factors of Cervical Pain in Pregnant Women

The purpose of the study is to assess the biomechanical risk factors for neck pain in pregnant women.

Neck pain during pregnancy has significant physical, psychological, and social impacts on women's lives. Moreover, the economic burden of neck pain is remarkable and includes treatment costs, reduced productivity, and job-related problems. Untreated neck pain during pregnancy can potentially lead to chronic musculoskeletal problems postpartum.

The significance of the study is based on the concept of "early prediction for early mitigation of the risk and prevention of the onset or progression".

Studies have investigated risk factors for neck pain. However, there is a notable gap in research regarding these factors in pregnant women, especially physical (biomechanical) risk factors, despite the significant biomechanical changes they undergo during pregnancy. This study aims to fill this gap by investigating the relationship between biomechanical risk factors and neck pain in pregnant women.

To our knowledge, this is the first study in which this relationship will be assessed to provide evidence about the biomechanical risk factors for neck pain in pregnant women.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Pregnant women in their third trimester suffering from cervical pain.
• They have experienced cervical pain starting during pregnancy.
• They reported no neck pain or neck-related disorders during the previous year and were screened for the absence of cervical pathology during a physical examination.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Objective signs of structural pathology on physical examination, including but not limited to shoulder bursitis, impingement, tendonitis, fracture, cervical nerve or disc impairment, radiculopathy, or loss of upper extremity sensory or motor function.
• Acute injury of the neck or shoulders (<12 weeks before the study).
• History of fibromyalgia or musculoskeletal pain present in more than 4 body regions concurrently.
• Self-reported systemic illness, including cancer, rheumatic, cardiovascular, or neurological disease
• Untreated psychiatric condition
• Previous surgery involving the cervical spine or shoulders
• Uncontrolled hypertension (resting systolic blood pressure >150 mm Hg, or diastolic blood pressure >90 mm Hg).