https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0039-7154
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ABSTRACT
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of concurrent dizziness in patients seeking treatment for neck pain at a secondary care clinic and examine how dizziness associates with physical function, disability, quality of life, and duration of neck pain.
Methods
This was a cross-sectional study where patients referred for neck pain (n = 133) were recruited from an outpatient spine clinic and divided into: patients with and without dizziness. All patients were examined with posturography, global body examination-flexibility and cervical range of motion, and completed the Neck Disability Index (NDI) and RAND-12 health survey. Patients with concurrent dizziness completed the Vertigo Symptom Scale short form (VSSsf).
Results
Forty-three percent of the patients reported dizziness. Concurrent dizziness was associated with increased postural sway with eyes open (p < .001), eyes closed (p = .024), eyes open on foam (p = .010), eyes closed on foam (p = .003), higher disability on the NDI (β: 2.9, p = .009), RAND-12 physical (β: −4.3, p = .014) and mental subscales (β: −4.0, p = .014). A higher score on NDI was associated with higher score on the VSSsf (total score: r = 0.51, p < .001, anxiety: r = 0.52, p < .001, vertigo: r = 0.43, p = .02.)
Conclusion
Dizziness is common among patients with long-lasting neck pain. It is associated with higher disability due to neck symptoms and general health-related quality of life. The findings highlight the importance of evaluating and addressing dizziness in patients with neck disorders.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank the study nurses and physiotherapist contributing to this project.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).