Is there a relationship between sagittal cervical spine mobility and generalised joint hypermobility? A cross-sectional study of 1000 healthy Australians.

Leslie L Nicholson, Marnee J McKay, Jennifer N Baldwin, Joshua Burns, Winky Cheung, Sally Yip, Cliffton Chan

Journal: Physiotherapy 2021;112():150-157

PMID: 34090187

Full Text on Elsevier Science View on PubMed

Abstract

OBJECTIVES

The primary aim was to determine the association between sagittal cervical mobility and the presence and extent of GJH across the lifespan. Secondary aims were to determine which features explain variability in cervical range of motion (CROM) and to establish the sagittal cervical hypermobile range in both genders across the lifespan.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional observational study. Spearman's rho determined the relationship between presence and extent of GJH and CROM, age, gender and ethnicity. Multiple regression identified the factors explaining variability in CROM. The hypermobile CROM was identified as the upper 5% of flexion, extension and combined ranges for age and gender.

SETTING

University laboratory in Sydney Australia.

PARTICIPANTS

One thousand healthy individuals, aged 3-101 years.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Cervical active range of motion was assessed using an inclinometer, extent of and presence of generalised joint hypermobility were assessed using the Beighton scoring system and age- and gender-specific criteria respectively.

RESULTS

CROM correlated positively with GJH (Beighton score as a continuous or dichotomous age and gender specific variable) (rho=0.12-0.50; p < 0.001) and negatively with age (rho=0.54; p < 0.001). Age, gender and extent of GJH (Beighton as a continuous score) accounted for 19 to 51% of variability in CROM. Cut-offs for cervical hypermobility were calculated across the lifespan.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased sagittal CROM was observed in individuals identified with GJH. Extension CROM decreased with age more than flexion; the greatest loss in the second and third decades. CROM screening is warranted for patients identified with GJH and for rehabilitation goal-setting.

Address: The University of Sydney, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia. Electronic address: [email protected].; The University of Sydney, Sydney School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Camperdown, NSW, 2006, Australia. Electronic address: [email protected].; The University of Sydney, Sydney School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Camperdown, NSW, 2006, Australia; University of Newcastle, Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, Newcastle, Australia. Electronic address: [email protected].; The University of Sydney, Sydney School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Camperdown, NSW, 2006, Australia; Paediatric Gait Analysis Service of New South Wales, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Hawkesbury Road, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia. Electronic address: [email protected].; The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, 11 Yuk Choi Road, Hung Hum, Hong Kong. Electronic address: [email protected].; The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, 11 Yuk Choi Road, Hung Hum, Hong Kong. Electronic address: [email protected].; The University of Sydney, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia. Electronic address: [email protected].

DOI: 10.1016/j.physio.2020.12.003

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MeSH Terms: Australia, Cervical Vertebrae, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Humans, Joint Instability, Male, Range of Motion, Articular