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

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.