Research priorities and methodological implications: the Bone and Joint Decade 2000-2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders.
METHODS
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.


BACKGROUND
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Carroll
Linda J
LJ
Department of Public Health Sciences, and the Alberta Centre for Injury Control and Research, School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2E1. lcarroll@ualberta.ca
Hurwitz
Eric L
EL
Côté
Pierre
P
Hogg-Johnson
Sheilah
S
Carragee
Eugene J
EJ
Nordin
Margareta
M
Holm
Lena W
LW
van der Velde
Gabrielle
G
Cassidy
J David
JD
Guzman
Jaime
J
Peloso
Paul M
PM
Haldeman
Scott
S
D026683:Advisory Committees; D000367:Age Factors; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000592:standards*; D002985:Clinical Protocols / Q000592:standards; D019992:Databases as Topic / Q000592:standards; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D006801:Humans; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012307:Risk Factors; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior