Pupillometric parameters of alertness during unpredictable but not predictable smooth pursuit neck torsion test are altered in patients with neck pain disorders : a cross-sectional study

Majcen Rošker, Živa (author), Močnik, Grega (author), Kristjansson, Eythor (author), Vodičar, Miha (author), Rošker, Jernej (author)

Despite commonly investigated predictable smooth-pursuit neck-torsion tasks (SPNT) in neck pain patients, unpredictable conditions have been seldom investigated but are indicative of preserved oculomotor functions during neck torsion. Although not previously studied, some speculations about compensatory cognitive mechanisms such as increased phasic alertness during unpredictable tasks were suggested. The aim of this study was to investigate eye movement accuracy and pupillometric responses during predictable and unpredictable SPNT test in neck pain patients and asymptomatic controls. Eye movements (gain and SPNT-difference) and pupillometry indicative of tonic (average and relative pupil diameter) and phasic (index of cognitive activity-ICA) alertness were measured in 28 idiopathic neck pain patients and 30 asymptomatic individuals using infrared video-oculography during predictable and unpredictable SPNT test. Gain in unpredictable SPNT test was lower as compared to predictable tasks and presented with similar levels in neutral and neck torsion positions, but not in the predictable SPNT test. ICA was lower during neutral position in all tasks in patients as compared to control group but increased during neck torsion positions in unpredictable tasks. Relative pupil diameters presented with no differences between the groups or neck positions, but the opposite was observed for average pupil diameter. Higher ICA indicates an increase in phasic alertness in neck pain patients despite no alterations in oculomotor control during SPNT test. This is the first study to indicate cognitive deficits in oculomotor task in neck pain patients. The latter could negatively affect other tasks where additional cognitive resources must be involved.

• Language: English
• Keywords: oculomotor functions, smooth pursuit eye movements, cervical disorders, cognitive disfunction, attention, pupillometry
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: FŠ - Faculty of Sport; MF - Faculty of Medicine
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2023
• Number of pages: Str. 2069–2079
• Numbering: Vol. 241, iss. 8
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-152186
• UDC: 612
• ISSN on article: 0014-4819
• DOI: 10.1007/s00221-023-06648-z
• COBISS.SI-ID: 159512835
• Publication date in RUL: 09.11.2023

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Experimental brain research
• Shortened title: Exp. brain res.
• Publisher: Springer Nature
• ISSN: 0014-4819
• COBISS.SI-ID: 25440256

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: okulomotorična funkcija, sledilni pogled, cervikalna disfunkcija, kognitivna disfunkcija, pozornost, pupilometrija