An investigation to determine the association between neck pain and upper limb disability for patients with non-specific neck pain: a secondary analysis.

This study investigated the relationship between neck pain and upper limb disability in patients with non-specific neck pain (n = 151) recruited from physiotherapy departments in the United Kingdom. Baseline neck pain/disability was measured using the Northwick Park Neck Pain Questionnaire (NPQ). Baseline upper limb disability was measured using the Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, Hand questionnaire (DASH). A range of baseline psychosocial variables were measured as potential confounding variables. Pairwise analysis revealed a positive correlation between NPQ score and DASH score (Pearsons' r = 0.799, p < 0.001). After adjusting for potential confounding variables, stepwise linear regression indicated that increasing upper limb disability was predicted by two baseline variables: higher NPQ scores (B = 0.743) and lower pain self efficacy (PSE) scores (B = -0.489) {R(2) = 0.713; n = 100, p < 0.001}. This study provides preliminary evidence that patients with severe neck pain/disability also report severe upper limb disability. The relationship between neck pain/disability and upper limb disability was mediated by PSE. Clinically, the presence of severe neck pain or low PSE should direct clinicians towards an assessment of upper limb function. In these cases upper limb disability may need to be addressed as part of the neck management process.

Risk factors for the onset of non-specific neck pain: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: Neck pain is a common musculoskeletal disorder, but little is known about which individuals develop neck pain. This systematic review investigated factors that constitute a risk for the onset of non-specific neck pain. DESIGN AND SETTING: A range of electronic databases and reference sections of relevant articles were searched to identify appropriate articles. Studies investigating risk factors for the onset of non-specific neck pain in asymptomatic populations were included. All studies were prospective with at least 1 year follow-up. MAIN RESULTS: 14 independent cohort studies met the inclusion criteria for the review. Thirteen studies were assessed as high quality. Female gender, older age, high job demands, low social/work support, being an ex-smoker, a history of low back disorders and a history of neck disorders were linked to the development of non-specific neck pain. CONCLUSIONS: Various clinical and sociodemographic risk factors were identified that have implications for occupational health and health policy. However, there was a lack of good-quality research investigating the predictive nature of many other variables.