Key result
Chronic neck pain intensity, disability, and catastrophizing were significantly correlated with worse linear and nonlinear heart rate variability indices at rest (r ≥ 0.362, P < .05).
Why the study?
The study was conducted to correlate heart rate variability indices with pain variables experienced by individuals with chronic neck pain.
Do heart rate variability indices correlate with pain intensity and disability in individuals with chronic neck pain?
Cross-Sectional (n=30)
Blinded
Do heart rate variability indices correlate with pain intensity and disability in individuals with chronic neck pain?
Effect estimate: r ≥ 0.362
p-value: p=<.05
Worse heart rate variability indices are associated with more intense and disabling pain in individuals with chronic neck pain, suggesting altered autonomic function.
Association suggests autonomic involvement in chronic neck pain; leaves open causality and clinical relevance pending longitudinal studies.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to correlate the heart rate variability (HRV) indices with variables of pain that were experienced by individuals with chronic neck pain. METHODS: This was a blinded cross-sectional study. Individuals with chronic neck pain (n = 15) and healthy participants (n = 15), both sedentary and between 18 and 45 years of age, were included. The neck pain was assessed with the Numerical Rating Scale at rest and during cervical movements, Neck Disability Index, Catastrophic Thoughts about Pain Scale, and Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia. The HRV indices (linear and nonlinear) were used for assessment of autonomic function at rest (in supine, sitting, and standing positions). RESULTS: We observed significant correlations between the NRS, Neck Disability Index, and Catastrophic Thoughts about Pain Scale with the linear and nonlinear HRV indices (P < .05, r ≥ 0.362), so that the worst HRV indices are associated with conditions of more intense and disabling neck pain. CONCLUSION: The HRV indices were significantly associated with pain intensity, disabilty, and catastrophizing in individuals with chronic neck pain.
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Santos‐de‐Araújo et al. (2019) conducted a cross-sectional in Chronic neck pain (n=30). Chronic neck pain vs. Healthy participants was evaluated on Correlation between HRV indices and pain variables (NRS, Neck Disability Index, Catastrophic Thoughts about Pain Scale) (r ≥ 0.362, p=<.05). Chronic neck pain intensity, disability, and catastrophizing were significantly correlated with worse linear and nonlinear heart rate variability indices at rest (r ≥ 0.362, P < .05).
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