Evaluation of Cervical Proprioception and Its Association with Neck Pain Among Undergraduate Students of University in Peshawar: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Neck pain is a prevalent musculoskeletal disorder, particularly among university students, potentially linked to impaired cervical proprioception. Cervical proprioception, which refers to the ability to sense head and neck position, is essential for postural control and functional stability. Alterations in this sensory input have been implicated in the development and persistence of neck pain. However, limited data exist from Pakistani undergraduate populations. Objective: To evaluate cervical proprioception and its association with neck pain among undergraduate students of University in Peshawar, Pakistan. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 347 undergraduate students aged 18–25 years, selected through non-probability convenience sampling. Exclusion criteria involved individuals with traumatic neck injuries, recent trauma, or neurological disorders such as cervical dystonia, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, and diabetic neuropathy. Data were collected using the numerical pain rating scale to assess pain intensity and the cervical joint position error test to evaluate proprioception in flexion, extension, right, and left rotation. Descriptive statistics summarised participant demographics and variables such as cervical proprioception scores and pain severity, with data visualised using pie charts for better interpretation. Given the categorical nature of the variables, the chi-square test was used to assess the association between pain and cervical joint position scores. Results: Among participants, 66% reported no neck pain, while 15.9% and 18.2% reported mild and moderate pain, respectively. Impaired cervical proprioception was observed in 43.5%–48.1% of participants across various movement directions. Statistically significant associations were found between impaired proprioception in right (p=0.004) and left (p=0.004) cervical rotation and neck pain. No significant associations were noted in flexion (p=0.351) or extension (p=0.148). Conclusion: A significant portion of the student population exhibited impaired cervical proprioception, particularly in rotational movements, which was associated with neck pain. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating proprioceptive assessments in student health screenings and developing ergonomic and rehabilitative interventions to manage neck pain in young adults.