Measurement of the Range of Neck Motion: A Comparative Study

Neck pain is a common musculoskeletal disorder. The diagnosis and the evaluation of treatment success in patients with neck pain often require a continuous physical assessment of the cervical range of motion (CROM) of the cervical spine. Several devices allowing the measurements of ROM have been reported in literature. In this study we measured the frontal, sagittal, transverse CROM using a novel Electronic Cervical Range of Motion (ECROM) System and compared the obtained results with those reported in literature using other devices and methods such as: Bubble Goniometry, Digital Inclinometer, Radiograph, Digital Optometric Device, Spin T and Laser Headset. We found that the average values and standard deviations of Tilt Left were 43.2 +/- 8.1 degrees, Tilt Right were 39.9 +/- 7.4 degrees, Flexion were 54.4 +/- 8.1 degrees, Extension were 58.3 +/- 7.2 degrees, Rotation Left were 72.3 +/- 7.1 degrees, Rotation Right were 59.1 +/- 8.1 degrees and Sagittal were 112.7 +/- 12.3 degrees. Both average values and standard deviations were compatible with values reported in literature with one exception from the Spin T. The number of subjects participated apparently was not an influential factor to the results. In addition, our results suggested that the increase in physical activity increased the Lateral Motions and the Right Rotation; the Body Mass Index did not influence or weakly influenced the CROM, the increase in sleep duration decreased the Lateral motions and the sleeping in prone position seemed influenced the Rotation Left motion.