Retro-walking improves neck disability and spatiotemporal variables of gait in individuals with chronic mechanical neck pain

Abstract

Background: The myofascial chains or superficial backline association with hamstring tightness during neck pain is known. This mechanism leads to altered gait parameters and neck-related disability, and increased pain. Hence, we hypothesized that retro-walking activation of the hamstring muscle could help decrease muscle tension, which in turn should reduce stress and pain in the neck.

Objective: To determine the effect of retro-walking on neck pain, disability, and spatiotemporal variables of gait in individuals with chronic mechanical neck pain (CMNP).

Methods: An experimental study of the pre-posttest type was conducted by recruiting 30 participants of CMNP aged between 18 and 30 years, using 1:1 allocation into two groups, A (experimental) and B (control). Participants in the experimental group received retro-walking training along with standard neck exercises, and the control group received only standard neck exercises.

Outcome measures: Neck Disability Index (NDI), Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), ROM, Timed 10-m walk test, and Gait ON were used to measure disability, pain intensity, cervical active pain-free ROM, walking speed, and other spatial-temporal gait parameters.

Results: Statistical analysis was conducted using a paired t-test and an independent sample t-test. The results showed a notable improvement in neck pain (0.023∗, p < 0.05), neck disability (0.000∗, p < 0.05), walking speed and cadence among participants in the experimental group when compared to the base line and the control group.

Conclusion: This study concludes that retro-walking in addition to standard neck exercises has shown a significant effect in improving neck pain and disability, cadence, gait speed, and reducing gait cycle variability.

Keywords: And disability; Gait cycle variability; Gait speed; Neck pain; Retro-walking; Standard neck exercises.