Correlation analysis between neck muscles and lifestyle habits in patients with cervical instability

Abstract Background The neck muscles play a crucial role in maintaining cervical spine stability. A thorough understanding of the changes in neck muscles during cervical instability (CI), along with an analysis of their correlation with lifestyle habits, can provide valuable data for the prevention...

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Main Authors: Guangqi Lu, Jing Li, Hanze Mao, Minghui Zhuang, Tiantian Li, Xinyue Sun, Mingming Ma, Yakun Liu, Ying Cui, Liguo Zhu, Jie Yu, Long Liang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-05-01
Series:BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-025-08594-z
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author Guangqi Lu
Jing Li
Hanze Mao
Minghui Zhuang
Tiantian Li
Xinyue Sun
Mingming Ma
Yakun Liu
Ying Cui
Liguo Zhu
Jie Yu
Long Liang
author_facet Guangqi Lu
Jing Li
Hanze Mao
Minghui Zhuang
Tiantian Li
Xinyue Sun
Mingming Ma
Yakun Liu
Ying Cui
Liguo Zhu
Jie Yu
Long Liang
author_sort Guangqi Lu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background The neck muscles play a crucial role in maintaining cervical spine stability. A thorough understanding of the changes in neck muscles during cervical instability (CI), along with an analysis of their correlation with lifestyle habits, can provide valuable data for the prevention and treatment of CI. Methods A total of 98 patients with CI and 88 healthy subjects were included in the study. Their cervical MRI images and lifestyle habits information were collected. The relative cross-sectional area (RCSA) and fat signal fraction (FSF) of the neck muscles were obtained from the MRI images. Correlation analysis was conducted between the muscle parameters, CI, and lifestyle habits information. Results CI subjects spent more time working (P =.026) and using computers daily than the healthy subjects (P =.023). The cervical curvature of the CI subjects was significantly smaller compared to healthy subjects (P =.004). CI subjects had significantly smaller RCSA (P =.003) and greater FSF (P =.011) in the deep muscles at the back of the neck compared to healthy subjects. FSF in the deep muscles at the back of the neck (OR = 2.343, 95%CI = 1.261–4.352) and cervical curvature (OR = 0.904, 95%CI = 0.848–0.965) were risk factors for CI. Keeping head down time per day (r = - 0.286) and using the computer time per day (r = - 0.230) were negatively correlated with the RCSA in the deep muscles at the back of the neck. Conclusions Changes in the deep muscles at the back of the neck are key factors in the development of CI. Prolonged maintenance of a single downward head posture is closely related to changes in the deep muscles at the back of the neck. Trial registration The study protocol is registered with Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (registration number: ChiCTR2100053525, registration date: November 24, 2021).
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spelling doaj-art-588214e8193349d8a2f2829f74a007e42025-08-20T03:10:18ZengBMCBMC Musculoskeletal Disorders1471-24742025-05-0126111110.1186/s12891-025-08594-zCorrelation analysis between neck muscles and lifestyle habits in patients with cervical instabilityGuangqi Lu0Jing Li1Hanze Mao2Minghui Zhuang3Tiantian Li4Xinyue Sun5Mingming Ma6Yakun Liu7Ying Cui8Liguo Zhu9Jie Yu10Long Liang11Department of Spine, Wangjing Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical SciencesDepartment of Spine, Wangjing Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical SciencesDepartment of Spine, Wangjing Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical SciencesDepartment of Spine, Wangjing Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical SciencesDepartment of Research Management, Wangjing Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical SciencesDepartment of Spine, Wangjing Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical SciencesDepartment of Spine, Wangjing Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical SciencesDepartment of Spine, Wangjing Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical SciencesDepartment of Radiology, Wangjing Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical SciencesDepartment of Spine, Wangjing Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical SciencesDepartment of Spine, Wangjing Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical SciencesDepartment of Spine, Wangjing Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical SciencesAbstract Background The neck muscles play a crucial role in maintaining cervical spine stability. A thorough understanding of the changes in neck muscles during cervical instability (CI), along with an analysis of their correlation with lifestyle habits, can provide valuable data for the prevention and treatment of CI. Methods A total of 98 patients with CI and 88 healthy subjects were included in the study. Their cervical MRI images and lifestyle habits information were collected. The relative cross-sectional area (RCSA) and fat signal fraction (FSF) of the neck muscles were obtained from the MRI images. Correlation analysis was conducted between the muscle parameters, CI, and lifestyle habits information. Results CI subjects spent more time working (P =.026) and using computers daily than the healthy subjects (P =.023). The cervical curvature of the CI subjects was significantly smaller compared to healthy subjects (P =.004). CI subjects had significantly smaller RCSA (P =.003) and greater FSF (P =.011) in the deep muscles at the back of the neck compared to healthy subjects. FSF in the deep muscles at the back of the neck (OR = 2.343, 95%CI = 1.261–4.352) and cervical curvature (OR = 0.904, 95%CI = 0.848–0.965) were risk factors for CI. Keeping head down time per day (r = - 0.286) and using the computer time per day (r = - 0.230) were negatively correlated with the RCSA in the deep muscles at the back of the neck. Conclusions Changes in the deep muscles at the back of the neck are key factors in the development of CI. Prolonged maintenance of a single downward head posture is closely related to changes in the deep muscles at the back of the neck. Trial registration The study protocol is registered with Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (registration number: ChiCTR2100053525, registration date: November 24, 2021).https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-025-08594-zCervical instabilityNeck musclesLifestyle habits
spellingShingle Guangqi Lu
Jing Li
Hanze Mao
Minghui Zhuang
Tiantian Li
Xinyue Sun
Mingming Ma
Yakun Liu
Ying Cui
Liguo Zhu
Jie Yu
Long Liang
Correlation analysis between neck muscles and lifestyle habits in patients with cervical instability
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
Cervical instability
Neck muscles
Lifestyle habits
title Correlation analysis between neck muscles and lifestyle habits in patients with cervical instability
title_full Correlation analysis between neck muscles and lifestyle habits in patients with cervical instability
title_fullStr Correlation analysis between neck muscles and lifestyle habits in patients with cervical instability
title_full_unstemmed Correlation analysis between neck muscles and lifestyle habits in patients with cervical instability
title_short Correlation analysis between neck muscles and lifestyle habits in patients with cervical instability
title_sort correlation analysis between neck muscles and lifestyle habits in patients with cervical instability
topic Cervical instability
Neck muscles
Lifestyle habits
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-025-08594-z
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