Association between Cervical Muscle Weakness and Functional Limitations due to Headache in Doctors
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Abstract
Background: Headaches and neck discomfort are prevalent issues, particularly among healthcare professionals, and are often related to muscular weaknesses and postural anomalies. The intricate relationship between cervical muscle strength and the frequency and intensity of headaches necessitates a deeper understanding for effective management and treatment strategies.
Objective: The primary objective of this study was to investigate the association between cervical muscle weakness and functional limitations due to headaches in doctors, considering the impact of long working hours and the physical demands of the medical profession.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among doctors working at Akhtar Saeed Trust Hospital, Farooq Hospital, and AMDC in Lahore from June to December 2022. Participants with conditions like fibromyalgia, history of head and neck trauma, or degenerative cervical spine disease were excluded. The strength of cervical muscles was assessed using Manual Muscle Testing, and the intensity of headaches was evaluated using the Headache Impact Test (HIT-6) questionnaire. The sample size was calculated to be approximately 150, with data analysis performed using SPSS version 25. The study employed descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and parametric tests to analyze the data.
Results: The study found significant correlations between cervical muscle strength and headache impact. Among participants with moderate cervical flexor strength, HIT scoring ranged from 30 in the 36-50 range to 28 in the 60-78 range. For strong cervical flexors, the range was 34 in the 36-50 to 6 in the 60-78 range. Similar patterns were observed in cervical extensors and side flexors. The Chi-square values were significant across all muscle groups (18.45 for flexors, 32.164 for extensors, 50.175 for right side flexors, and 45.30 for left side flexors), all with a p-value of 0.000.
Conclusion: The study demonstrates a significant association between cervical muscle strength and the impact of headaches, indicating that weaker cervical muscles are associated with higher headache frequency and severity. These findings suggest the need for targeted muscle strengthening and posture correction interventions among doctors to mitigate the risks of headache and neck discomfort.
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