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Neck range of motion measurements using a new three-dimensional motion analysis system: validity and repeatability

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Abstract

Purpose

Neck movement is important for many activities of daily living (ADL). Neck disorders, such as cervical spondylosis and whiplash can limit neck movement and ADL. The cervical range of motion (CROM) device has been recently used to measure neck range of motion (ROM); however, this measurement includes trunk motion, and therefore does not represent a pure neck ROM measurement. The authors aimed to develop a new method to establish pure neck ROM measurements during flexion, extension, lateral bending, and rotation using a three-dimensional motion analysis system, VICON.

Methods

Twelve healthy participants were recruited and neck ROMs during flexion, extension, lateral bending, and rotation were measured using VICON and the CROM device. Test–retest repeatability was assessed using interclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), standard error of measurement (SEM), and minimal detectable change (MDC). Validity between two measurements was evaluated using a determination coefficient and Pearson’s correlation coefficient.

Results

ICCs of neck ROM measured using VICON and the CROM device were all at substantial or almost perfect levels [VICON: ICC(1,2) = 0.786–0.962, the CROM device: ICC(1,2) = 0.736–0.950]. Both SEMs and MDCs were low in all measurement directions (VICON: SEM = 1.3°–4.5°, MDC = 3.6°–12.5°; the CROM device: SEM = 2.2°–3.9°, MDC = 6.1°–10.7°). Determination coefficients (R 2s) and Pearson’s correlation coefficients (rs) between the two measurement methods were high (R 2 = 0.607–0.745, r = 0.779–0.863).

Conclusions

VICON is a useful system to measure neck ROMs and evaluate the efficacy of interventions, such as surgery or physiotherapeutic exercise.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by a JSPS KAKENHI Grant-in-Aid for Exploratory Research (Grant Number 25282159) and by the Foundation for Total Health Promotion. The authors would like to thank Dr. Yasuo Nakahara for helpful discussions. The protocol was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the institution (No. 3996).

Conflict of interest

None.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan

    Haruhi Inokuchi, Michio Tojima, Hiroshi Mano & Nobuhiko Haga

  2. Faculty of Sport Sciences, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan

    Michio Tojima

  3. Department of Rehabilitation, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan

    Yuki Ishikawa, Naoshi Ogata & Nobuhiko Haga

  4. Department of Precision Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan

    Yuki Ishikawa

  5. Department of Rehabilitation, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan

    Naoshi Ogata

Authors
  1. Haruhi Inokuchi
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  2. Michio Tojima
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  3. Hiroshi Mano
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  4. Yuki Ishikawa
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  5. Naoshi Ogata
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  6. Nobuhiko Haga
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Correspondence to Nobuhiko Haga.

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Inokuchi, H., Tojima, M., Mano, H. et al. Neck range of motion measurements using a new three-dimensional motion analysis system: validity and repeatability. Eur Spine J 24, 2807–2815 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-015-3913-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-015-3913-2

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