Prevalence Of Cervicalgia And Hand Paresthesia Among Motorcycle Riders: A Cross-Sectional Study
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Background: Motorcycle riders are exposed to prolonged static posture, forward head positioning, repetitive handlebar gripping, braking and clutch activity, and road vibration, which may contribute to cervical pain and hand sensory symptoms. Evidence on the concurrent burden of cervicalgia and hand paresthesia among local motorcycle riders remains limited. Objective: To determine the prevalence of cervicalgia and hand paresthesia and assess their association among male motorcycle riders. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study included 385 male motorcycle riders aged 18–50 years recruited through convenience sampling from rider-accessible locations different cities of Pakistan. Demographic and riding-related data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Cervicalgia was assessed using the Northwick Park Neck Pain Questionnaire, and hand paresthesia was assessed using the Kamath and Stothard Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 31. Frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations were calculated, and Pearson’s chi-square test was used to assess the association between cervicalgia and hand paresthesia. Results: The mean age of participants was 27.01 ± 8.05 years, and the mean riding duration was 9.05 ± 6.43 years. Cervicalgia was present in 377 participants (97.9%; 95% CI 96.0–98.9), while hand paresthesia was present in 326 participants (84.7%; 95% CI 80.7–87.9). Pearson’s chi-square test showed no statistically significant association between cervicalgia and hand paresthesia (χ² = 8.441, p = 0.077). Conclusion: Cervicalgia and hand paresthesia were highly prevalent among male motorcycle riders, but no statistically significant association was observed between the two conditions. Rider-focused ergonomic education, protective practices, rest breaks, posture correction, and early symptom screening may help reduce the burden of riding-related cervical and hand symptoms
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