Prevalence of Neck Pain and Disability in Bike Riders Using Different Types of Helmets in Lahore

Abstract

Background: Neck pain is a frequent musculoskeletal complaint among motorcycle riders and may be influenced by prolonged riding exposure, sustained cervical posture, vibration, and helmet-related ergonomic factors. Although helmets are essential for preventing head and facial injuries, different helmet designs may vary in their perceived cervical loading and comfort during regular motorcycle use. Objective: To determine the prevalence of neck pain and neck-related disability among male bike riders in Lahore using different types of helmets. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 301 male motorcycle riders aged 20–40 years in Lahore. Participants were recruited through non-probability convenience sampling. Eligible riders had used helmets for more than four months and rode motorcycles for more than two hours daily. Data were collected using a self-structured questionnaire, the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, and the Neck Disability Index. Descriptive statistics were calculated using SPSS version 22. Results: Overall, 68.0% of participants reported neck pain. Full-face helmet users reported the highest neck pain prevalence at 76.3%, followed by modular helmets at 65.3%, half-face helmets at 58.3%, and open-face helmets at 53.3%. The overall mean NDI score was 18.6 ± 6.4. Moderate disability was reported by 39.9% of participants, while moderate pain was reported by 42.5%. Conclusion: Neck pain and disability were common among male bike riders in Lahore, with the highest descriptive burden observed among full-face helmet users. Findings support ergonomic helmet selection, posture education, and preventive physiotherapy while maintaining helmet use for road-safety protection.