Lower extremity (LE) injury has been problematic in athletic populations. While previous research has identified biomechanical and neuromuscular risk factors, more recent efforts have determined that neurocognitive performance (NP) may influence LE injury risk.
To describe the present findings pertaining to the relationship between NP and LE injury. This review described potential cerebral neural mechanisms underpinning LE injury with a particular emphasis on the role of vision in sensorimotor integration. Lastly, newer technology such as stroboscopic eyewear, smartboards, and virtual/augmented reality were discussed for their utility in assessing and training NP.
Narrative review that described NP and LE injury, as well as plausible mechanisms and training interventions.
NP appears to influence both LE biomechanics and LE injury risk. Athletes with worse NP demonstrated decreased knee flexion and increased frontal plane knee loading compared to better performing athletes. Most studies determined an association between NP and LE injury risk. Visual motor reaction time, processing speed, and working memory appear to be useful NP measures for identifying athletes at risk for LE injury. Various brain regions including the precuneus and lingual gyrus may be implicated as neural signatures for LE injury. While recently developed technology offer promise, far-transfer effects to LE injury risk reduction have yet to be substantially investigated.
NP should be considered an important component for identifying LE injury risk. Sports scientists and clinicians may consider a variety of assessments and interventions to quantify and train NP in conjunction with previously established protocols.
The purpose of this study was to examine the association between insomnia and the number of pain areas among employees of an automotive company. Secondary aim was to examine the association between depression, anxiety, and stress, and musculoskeletal pain independent of insomnia.
We performed a cross-sectional study conducted in an automobile manufacturing factory. To collect data, we used the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, ISI (Insomnia Severity Index), and DASS-21 (Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale). The univariate and multiple association analyses were performed using ordinal logistic regression adjusted for gender, age, industrial/non-industrial, sport activity, pack year, educational level, years of employment, anxiety, stress, and depression.
In individuals with insomnia, the lower back was the most common area where pain was reported (59.5%). In all areas, pain symptoms were significantly more prevalent in individuals with insomnia compared to those without insomnia. Insomnia was associated with having pain with an increased odds of number of pain sites (odds ratio [OR] 2.81,95%CI 2.34–3.39). In ordinal logistic regression, there was an association between insomnia and pain, independent of the effects of depression, anxiety, and stress (OR 2.21,95%CI 1.52–3.23).
Insomnia was associated with pain in all regions of the body and a higher prevalence of pain in multiple areas. The insomnia-pain association was independent of depression, anxiety, and stress.
Together with visual and vestibular input the cervical spine is vital for sensorimotor control of head and eye movement control, general body postural stability adjustments and co-ordination.
Altered cervical input in persons with neck disorders can lead to signs and symptoms of impaired sensorimotor control across and within several domains. Clinical assessment for differential diagnosis and to direct management of cervical related altered sensorimotor control is clearly required in many patients. This applies not only to patients with neck disorders but also in patients with, for example vestibular disorders or concussion, presenting with signs and symptoms of altered sensorimotor control where the cervical spine may have a role to play.
This paper explores the research and current knowledge in relation to clinical measures of cervical related sensorimotor control. The feasibility, responsiveness, comparison to gold standards and potential of clinical measures of cervical related sensorimotor control to assist in differential diagnosis are considered where relevant. Future research directions should examine the full complement of psychometric properties of tests and consideration of any relationships of these measures to pain, dizziness, trauma and functional implications. Development of other measures as well as use in assessing response post management are also important directions.
These clinical measures, along with a skilled interview and cervical musculoskeletal examination will enable clinicians to recognise and manage impaired cervical sensorimotor control in patients with neck disorders as well as determine the role of the cervical spine in many patients presenting with signs and symptoms of altered sensorimotor control.
The precise manner in which morphological and mechanical properties of cervical muscles in patients with fibromyalgia and migraine are affected remains unclear.
The objective of this study was to compare the morphological and mechanical properties of cervical muscles in individuals diagnosed with fibromyalgia who also experience migraine headaches with those who do not.
The study included two groups of fibromyalgia patients: one with migraine (n = 18, age = 44.7 ± 7.5 years, body mass index = 28.7 ± 6.9 kg/m2) and one without migraine (n = 21, age = 42.6 ± 9.5 years, body mass index = 25.1 ± 4.4 kg/m2). Body pain intensity related to fibromyalgia and migraine attack severity were evaluated with a Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The cervical muscle morphological and mechanical properties, including thickness, cross-sectional area (CSA), and stiffness, were measured using ultrasound imaging.
It was found that there was a greater decrease in longus colli muscle CSA scores (p = 0.004) and a greater increase in upper trapezius muscle stiffness scores (p = 0.013) in the fibromyalgia + migraine group compared to the fibromyalgia group. No statistically significant differences were observed in trapezius muscle thickness (p = 0.261), sternocleidomastoid muscle thickness (p = 0.874), multifidus CSA (p = 0.963), or sternocleidomastoid muscle stiffness (p = 0.642) between the two groups.
Patients with fibromyalgia and migraine exhibited diminished longus colli muscle CSA and heightened upper trapezius muscle stiffness compared to those with fibromyalgia but no migraine. It should be considered that migraine comorbidity in fibromyalgia may negatively affect cervical muscle morphological and mechanical properties.