INVESTIGATING THE EFFECTS OF FATIGUE PROTOCOL ON SPATIOTEMPORAL CHARACTERISTICS OF GAIT IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC NECK PAIN

Purpose: Chronic neck pain (CNP) may lead to problems, such as functional limitations, disability, and fatigue. Gait maintains postural orientation; It is important to investigate the effects of fatigue on walking in patients who subjectively define a certain level of fatigue, not for a certain period. This study aimed to investigate the effects of fatigue protocol on gait spatiotemporal characteristics in patients with CNP. Methods: Fifty-three patients with CNP, and twenty-six healthy controls were included. The groups were matched with Propensity Score Matching in terms of age and fatigue threshold as 26 individuals. Pain intensity and disability were evaluated with the Visual Analog Scale, and Neck Disability Index, respectively. Gait assessment was recorded with OptoGait (1.6.4.0, Microgate, Bolzano, Italy) for one minute while individuals walked at their preferred speed on the treadmill. Individuals keep walking on the treadmill and fatigue levels were asked for Modified Borg Scale. While fatigue reached 4 points, gait assessment was recorded for one minute. A two-way repeated-measures ANOVA was used for interaction time-by-group. Results: The median pain intensity was 7(4-9), and the disability was moderate in patients. Left step length, stride length, and cadence, showed significant, similar changes within the groups over time(p<0.05), while there were differences between groups in cadence (p<0.05). There was no difference in time-group interaction in terms of gait variables (p>0.05). Conclusion: Fatigue may lead to changes in the gait parameters of patients with CNP, it may cause the development of compensation strategies to maintain the position, mobility, and stabilization of the spine.