Prevalence and Association of Upper Cross Syndrome with Neck Pain Among University Students

Abstract

Background: Upper cross syndrome is a type of musculoskeletal disorder defined by muscle deviations of the shoulder, neck, and upper back regions leads to the experience of pain in the shoulder, back and the neck region.
Objective: The purpose of this study was to establish the prevalence of upper cross syndrome in university students, and their relationship to neck pain.
Methodology: For this observational-sectional study, the sample size of the total population was estimated to be 173 carried out for six months in Universities The Institute of Leadership and Management and National College of Business Administration & Economics. A purposive non-convenience sampling approach was applied. The research with 18 to 25 years old approval was sought and consent was given. The participants who developed neck pain to take part in the study were university students. Data were retrieved and analysed, and data analysis was done by using SPSS 26.0 version and chi-square.
Results: In 173 students, proximal cross syndrome with cervical pain prevalence was 38,70%. However there is p=0.994 which indicates no significant relation of head position with the pain and p=0.365 which indicate no significant relation of cervical position with pain in shoulder girdle cross syndrome patients.
Conclusion: There is high prevalence of upper cross syndrome among university students but it does not necessarily cause cervical pain. Also, there was no significant association between cervical and position head position and pain in patients with UCS.