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The relationship between cervical proprioception and balance in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome

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Abstract

Proprioceptive abnormalities, balance, and postural disorders have been previously reported in fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). Unlike previous research, the aim of this study was to compare the proprioception of the cervical region of patients with FMS with a healthy control group. The relationship between cervical proprioception impairment and loss of balance was also examined. A total of 96 female FMS patients and 96 female healthy control subjects were enrolled in this case–control study. The cervical joint position error test (CJPET) was administered to the patient and control groups for cervical proprioception evaluation. FMS patients were assessed with a visual analogue scale (VAS), fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQ), and fatigue severity scale (FSS). Balance tests were applied to both groups. FMS patients had significantly impaired CJPET results in all directions (p < 0.001). There were significant positive correlations between FIQ scores and CJPET results (r = 0.542 and p < 0.001 for right rotation; r = 0.604 and p < 0.001 for left rotation; r = 0.550 and p < 0.001 for flexion; r = 0.612 and p < 0.001 for extension). Significant correlations were found between CJPET measurements and balance tests (for sit-to-stand test; r = 0.510 and p < 0.001 for right rotation; r = 0.431 and p < 0.001 for left rotation; r = 0.490 and p < 0.001 for flexion; r = 0.545 and p < 0.001 for extension), (for timed up and go test; r = 0.469 and p < 0.001 for right rotation; r = 0.378 and p < 0.001 for left rotation; r = 0.410 and p < 0.001 for flexion; r = 0.496 and p < 0.001 for extension) and (for one-legged balance test; r = −0.479 and p < 0.001 for right rotation; r = −0.365 and p < 0.001 for left rotation; r = −0.392 and p < 0.001 for flexion; r = −0.469 and p < 0.001 for extension). Cervical proprioception and balance were impaired in FMS patients. As the disease activity and fatigue level increased, so the deterioration in cervical proprioception became more evident. There were correlations that demonstrated an association between impaired cervical proprioception and poor balance tests. Therefore, proprioception and balance assessments should be integrated into the physical examination processes of FMS patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University, Kahramanmaraş, Turkey

    Burhan Gucmen, Burhan Fatih Kocyigit, Ejder Berk & Tuba Tulay Koca

  2. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Sancaktepe Şehit Prof Dr İlhan Varank Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey

    Vedat Nacitarhan

  3. Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Application and Research Center, Hasan Kalyoncu University, Gaziantep, Turkey

    Ahmet Akyol

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  1. Burhan Gucmen
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Contributions

BG, BFK, and VN designed the study; BG collected the data; BFK, EB, VN, and TTK supported the data collection process; BG and BFK provided the data; BFK and AA made the statistical analyses; VN, EB and TTK contributed the analysis tools; BG, BFK, VN, EB, TTK, and AA authored and reviewed drafts of the paper; BG, BFK, and AA prepared the tables and figures; BG, BFK, VN, EB, TTK, and AA approved the final manuscript as submitted and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

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Correspondence to Burhan Fatih Kocyigit.

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Ethics statement

Prior to the study, approval was obtained from the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of our university dated 19.02.2020 and numbered 2020-04/10. The study was conducted in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration criteria, with participation in the study on a voluntary basis. The “Informed Voluntary Consent Form” was explained to the participants, and all necessary information about the study was described and their consent was obtained.

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Gucmen, B., Kocyigit, B.F., Nacitarhan, V. et al. The relationship between cervical proprioception and balance in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome. Rheumatol Int 42, 311–318 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-021-05081-1

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