Relationship between active cervical range of motion and perceived neck disability in community dwelling elderly individuals

Purpose: The purpose of our study was to determine the relationship between perceived neck disability and active cervical range of motion (ROM). Methods: Twenty-three senior center attendees aged 60 to 90 participated. Their ROM was measured using the cervical range of motion instrument (CROM). Perceived neck disability was characterized using the Neck Disability Index (NDI). Pearson correlations were used to describe the relationships between CROM measurements and the NDI scores. Results: No CROM measurement was correlated strongly or significantly with the NDI score. The correlations ranged from 0.009 for left lateral flexion to 0.411 for right rotation. Conclusions: CROM and NDI measurements were not related. Impairments in variables other than cervical ROM may need to be addressed if the reduction of neck disability is intended in elders.