Neck/shoulder disorders in a general population. Natural course and influence of physical exercise: a 5-year follow-up.
METHODS
A 5-year follow-up study was conducted of men and women seeking care for new incidents of neck/shoulder disorders (NSD).


OBJECTIVE
To study the natural course of pain and disability caused by NSD during a 5-year follow-up and to investigate the possible influence of regular physical exercise on recovery.


BACKGROUND
NSD are a major health problem, but their natural course is not very well studied. Several studies have investigated the role of physical exercise on NSD, with inconsistent results.


METHODS
At baseline, a total of 439 subjects seeking care for NSD completed a questionnaire, and were interviewed about personal, medical, and occupational history, as well as physical exercise during leisure time. Over 5 years, 4 follow-up assessments were made by postal questionnaire. At all measuring points, pain intensity ratings and disability scores were compared between men and women, and between 3 exercise categories.


RESULTS
The highest improvements in pain and disability, both in men and in women, were seen after 3 months. After that, only minor improvements were seen. In some cases, there was deterioration. However, after 5 years, both men and women had significant improvements, men more than women. Only the women were analyzed concerning physical exercise and were pooled into 3 categories according to intensity of exercise. There were no differences in changes in pain intensity and disability scores from baseline between the groups.


CONCLUSIONS
A gender difference was seen in the change of pain and disability, with men having higher improvement than women over 5 years. Self-reported physical exercise of any intensity was not associated with higher recovery in women.
Division of Occupational Medicine, Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. Gunilla.pernold@phs.ki.se
Gunilla
G
Pernold
Monica
M
Mortimer
Christina
C
Wiktorin
Ewa Wigaeus
EW
Tornqvist
Eva
E
Vingård
D000328:Adult; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012737:Sex Factors; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires