Exploring the correlational link between cervical pain and sleep dysfunction among nursing population

Nursing professionals face demanding work environments characterized by long hours, physically strenuous duties, and high vigilance, placing them at increased risk for musculoskeletal disorders. Cervicogenic headache a pain referred from neck structures to the head and/or face is both prevalent and disabling among nurses. Cervicogenic headache potentially leads to significant neck dysfunction and sleep disturbances. This study aims to assess the prevalence and associations of cervicogenic headache with neck disability and sleep disturbances among nurses. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 110 nurses assessed for cervicogenic headache according to the International Headache Society’s Diagnostic Criteria (2018). Participants completed the Neck Disability Index (NDI) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Correlations between clinical tests and questionnaire scores were determined using Karl Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and group differences were evaluated with the Mann-Whitney U-test. Of the 110 nurses (mean age 28.37 ± 4.6 years), 48 (43.63%) were diagnosed with cervicogenic headache. The average NDI score was 7.63 ± 5.59, indicating mild to moderate neck disability; 14 reported severe disability. Sleep quality assessment yielded a mean PSQI of 5.91 ± 3.21, with 57 participants experiencing poor sleep. Significant positive correlations were observed between cervicogenic headache and neck disability (r = 0.684, p < 0.001), cervicogenic headache and sleep deficits (r = 0.619, p < 0.001), and between neck disability and sleep deficits (r = 0.633, p < 0.001). Cervicogenic headache was prevalent among nurses and showed significant associations with neck disability and sleep disturbances. These findings highlight the need for further longitudinal studies to clarify causal relationships and for workplace interventions to support nurses’ health.