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Research Priorities and Methodological Implications

The Bone and Joint Decade 2000–2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders

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European Spine Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Study Design

Best evidence synthesis.

Objective

To report on gaps in the literature and make methodologic recommendations based on our review of the literature on frequency and risk factors, assessment, intervention, and course and prognostic factors for neck pain and its associated disorders.

Summary of Background Data

The scientific literature on neck pain is large and of variable quality. We reviewed 1203 studies and judged 46 to be of sufficient scientific validity to be included in the best evidence synthesis. Scientific quality varied across study topics, and fundamental questions remain about important issues.

Methods

The Bone and Joint Decade 2000 –2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and its Associated Disorders (Neck Pain Task Force) conducted a critical review of the literature published between 1980 and 2006 to assemble the best evidence on neck pain and its associated disorders. Studies meeting criteria for scientific validity were included in a best evidence synthesis.

Results

We outline a large number of gaps in the current literature. For example,we found important gaps in our knowledge about neck pain in children (risk factors, screening criteria to rule out serious injury, management, course and prognosis); and in the prevention of neck pain-related activity limitations. Few studies addressed the impact of culture or social policies (such as governmental health policies or insurance compensation policies) on neck pain. A number of important questions remain about the effectiveness of commonly used interventions for neck pain.

Conclusion

The Neck Pain Task Force undertook a best evidence synthesis to establish a baseline of the current best evidence on the course and prognosis for whiplash-associated disorders. We identify a number of gaps in the current knowledge, and provide recommendations for the conduct of future studies.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of PublicHealth Sciences, and the Alberta Centre for Injury Control and Research,School of PublicHealth, University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada

    Linda J. Carroll PhD

  2. Department of Public Health Sciences, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, Hawaii

    Eric L. Hurwitz DC,PhD

  3. Centre of Research Expertise in Improved Disability Outcomes(CREIDO), University Health Network Rehabilitation Solutions, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Canada

    Pierre Côté DC, PhD

  4. Departments of Public Health Sciences and Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

    Pierre Côté DC, PhD

  5. Division of Health Care and Outcomes Research, Toronto Western Research Institute, Toronto, Canada

    Pierre Côté DC, PhD

  6. Institute for Work & Health, Toronto, Canada

    Pierre Côté DC, PhD

  7. Institute for Work and Health, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

    Sheilah Hogg-Johnson DC, PhD

  8. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA

    Eugene J. Carragee MD, FACS

  9. Orthopaedic Spine Center and Spinal Surgery Service, Stanford University Hospital and Clinics, Stanford, CA, USA

    Eugene J. Carragee MD, FACS

  10. Departments of Orthopedics and Environmental Medicine and Program of Ergonomics and Biomechanics, School of Medicine and Graduate School of Artsand Science, NewYork University, NewYork, NY, USA

    Margareta Nordin PT, DrMedSc

  11. Occupational and Industrial Orthopaedic Center (OIOC), New York, University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA

    Margareta Nordin PT, DrMedSc

  12. Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden

    Lena W. Holm DrMedSc

  13. Department of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

    Gabrielle van der Velde DC

  14. Institute for Work & Health, Toronto Centre of Research Excellence in Improved Disability Outcomes(CREIDO), University Health Network Rehabilitation Solutions, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronta, Canada

    Gabrielle van der Velde DC

  15. Division of Health Care Outcomes and Research, Toronto Western Research Institute, Toronto, Canada

    Gabrielle van der Velde DC

  16. Centre of Research Expertise in Improved Disability Outcomes(CREIDO), University Health Network Rehabilitation Solutions, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Canada

    J. David Cassidy DC, PhD, DrMedSc

  17. Division of Health Care and Outcomes Research, Toronto Western Research Institute, Toronto, Canada

    J. David Cassidy DC, PhD, DrMedSc

  18. Departments of Public Health Sciences and Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

    J. David Cassidy DC, PhD, DrMedSc

  19. Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Occupational Health and Safety Agency for Healthcare, BC, Toronto, Canada

    Jaime Guzman MD, MSc, FRCP(C)

  20. Endocrinology, Analgesia and Inflammation, Merck & Co, Rahway, NJ, USA

    paul M. Peloso MD, MSc, FRCP(C)

  21. Department of Neurology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA

    Scott Haldeman DC, MD, PhD, FRCP(C)

  22. Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Scott Haldeman DC, MD, PhD, FRCP(C)

Authors
  1. Linda J. Carroll PhD
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  2. Eric L. Hurwitz DC,PhD
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  3. Pierre Côté DC, PhD
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  4. Sheilah Hogg-Johnson DC, PhD
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  5. Eugene J. Carragee MD, FACS
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  6. Margareta Nordin PT, DrMedSc
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  7. Lena W. Holm DrMedSc
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  8. Gabrielle van der Velde DC
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  9. J. David Cassidy DC, PhD, DrMedSc
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  10. Jaime Guzman MD, MSc, FRCP(C)
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  11. paul M. Peloso MD, MSc, FRCP(C)
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  12. Scott Haldeman DC, MD, PhD, FRCP(C)
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Linda J. Carroll PhD.

Additional information

The manuscript submitted does not contain information about medical device(s)/drug(s).

Corporate/Industry, Foundation, and Professional Organizational funds were received in support of this work. No benefits in any form have been or will be received from a commercial party related directly or indirectly to the subject of this manuscript.

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Carroll, L.J., Hurwitz, E.L., Côté, P. et al. Research Priorities and Methodological Implications. Eur Spine J 17 (Suppl 1), 214–220 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-008-0638-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-008-0638-5

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