title: Physical risk factors for neck pain.
abstract: To identify physical risk factors for neck pain, a systematic review of the literature was carried out. Based on methodological quality and study design, 4 levels of evidence were defined to establish the strength of evidence for the relationship between risk factors and neck pain. Altogether, 22 cross-sectional studies, 2 prospective cohort studies, and 1 case-referent study were eligible for determining the level of evidence. The results showed some evidence for a positive relationship between neck pain and the duration of sitting and twisting or bending of the trunk. A sensitivity analysis was carried out excluding 3 items of the quality list, the importance of which seemed doubtful. On the basis of this sensitivity analysis, it was concluded that there is some evidence for a positive relationship between neck pain and the following work-related risk factors: neck flexion, arm force, arm posture, duration of sitting, twisting or bending of the trunk, hand-arm vibration, and workplace design.
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands. g.ariens@arbeid.tno.nl
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Ariëns
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: van Mechelen
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Bongers
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Bouter
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: van der Wal
mesh_terms: D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors