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Investigation of cervical extensor muscle volume in females with fibromyalgia
F. Çiçek1, A. Payas2, T. Seber3, F.G. Ülkü Demir4, A.T. Çiftçi5, F.G. Ceranoğlu6, H. Keleş7, İ. Uçar8
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University, Niğde, Turkey.
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Amasya University, Amasya, Turkey.
- Department of Radiology, Kayseri City Education and Training Hospital, Kayseri, Turkey.
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Kayseri City Hospital, Kayseri, Turkey.
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Information, Faculty of Medicine, Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University, Niğde, Turkey.
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University, Niğde, Turkey.
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University, Niğde, Turkey.
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey. ilyas.ucar@erciyes.edu.tr
CER19787
2026 Vol.44, N°6
PI 1153, PF 1158
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PMID: 42328948 [PubMed]
Received: 10/02/2026
Accepted : 27/04/2026
In Press: 22/06/2026
Published: 22/06/2026
Abstract
OBJECTIVES:
Neck pain is one of the most common symptoms in individuals with fibromyalgia (FM). The aim of this cross-sectional study was to compare cervical extensor muscle volume measurements between FM patients with chronic neck pain and an asymptomatic control group, and to examine the relationship between cervical extensor muscle volume and pain, quality of life, and disability.
METHODS:
The study included 30 patients with FM and 30 asymptomatic control subjects. The volume of the cervical extensor muscles (obliquus capitis superior, obliquus capitis inferior and rectus capitis posterior major muscles) was assessed using 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The severity of FM was assessed using the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), the Neck Disability Index (NDI) for neck disability, and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain severity.
RESULTS:
The average volume values of all neck extensor muscles were significantly reduced in the FM group compared to the control group (p<0.05). There were significantly negative correlations between FIQ and NDI and the volumes of the obliquus capitis superior, obliquus capitis inferior, and rectus capitis posterior major muscles (p<0.05). However, there was no significant correlation between neck extensor muscle volume and age, VAS, and BMI scores (p>0.05).
CONCLUSIONS:
This study has demonstrated a decrease in deep cervical extensor muscle volume in FM patients with chronic neck pain. When planning treatment for FM patients with neck pain, clinicians should consider cervical extensor muscle morphology.
