Development of exercise therapy techniques for triggers of chronic pain in the head and neck

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K11289
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 59010:Rehabilitation science-related
• Research Institution: Bunkyo Gakuin University
• Principal Investigator: Ueda Yasuhisa 学校法人文京学院 文京学院大学, 保健医療技術学部, 准教授 (10458549)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 頭頸部 / 座位姿勢 / 病態運動 / セルフケア / 運動療法

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study focused on "pathological motion of the cervical spine" and "sustained contraction of muscles" as inducers of chronic pain in the head and neck, which induces neck pain. Since pathological motion of the cervical spine tends to appear in the cervicothoracic transition area during exertional movements associated with limited range of motion of the cervical spine, it is important to maintain the range of motion of the cervical spine. Study 1 showed that upper thoracic spine motion is important in maintaining cervical spine range of motion. Study 2 revealed that lower trapezius muscle hardness is important to improve the range of motion of the cervical spine. Study 3 revealed that there are conditions that lower the muscle hardness of the posterior cervical muscles in the sitting posture. We believe it is important to incorporate these conditions in exercise therapy.

Free Research Field

理学療法学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

近年の情報通信技術の発展により、デスクワーカーの筋骨格系障害は増加傾向である。デスクワーカーの疼痛有病率は頸部が最も多く、頭頸部は慢性疼痛が生じやすい部位である。しかし頸部痛を予防・改善させる運動療法に繋がる臨床的な研究は少ない。本研究課題では、頸部痛の予防・改善に繋がる運動療法技術の基礎的知見を得るために実施した。今後、頭頸部の慢性疼痛を有する症例を対象とした臨床研究で、運動療法の妥当性や効果判定を行う予定である。