title: Measures of upper limb function for people with neck pain: a systematic review of measurement and practical properties (protocol).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Upper limb disability is a common musculoskeletal condition frequently associated with neck pain. Recent literature has reported the need to utilise validated upper limb outcome measures in the assessment and management of patients with neck pain. However, there is a lack of clear guidance about the suitability of available measures, which may impede utilisation. This review will identify all available measures of upper limb function developed for use in neck pain patients and evaluate their measurement and practical properties in order to identify those measures that are most appropriate for use in clinical practice and research.
  
  
  METHODS
  This review will be performed in two phases. Phase one will identify all measures used to assess upper limb function for patients with neck pain. Phase two will identify all available studies of the measurement and practical properties of identified instrument. The COnsensus-based Standards for selection of health Measurement INstrument (COSMIN) will be used to evaluate the methodological quality of the included studies. To ensure methodological rigour, the findings of this review will be reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guideline.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Optimal management of patients with neck pain should incorporate upper limb rehabilitation. The findings of this study will assist clinicians who seek to utilise suitable and accurate measures to assess upper limb function for a patient with neck pain. In addition, the findings of this study may suggest new research directions to support the development of upper limb outcome measures for patients with neck pain.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  PROSPERO CRD42015016624.
authors: Faculty of Health and Wellbeing, Sheffield Hallam University, Montgomery House, 32 Collegiate Crescent, Collegiate Campus, Sheffield, S10 2BP, UK. ahmadalreni@hotmail.co.uk.
authors: Ahmad Salah Eldin
authors: AS
authors: Alreni
authors: Faculty of Health and Wellbeing, Sheffield Hallam University, Montgomery House, 32 Collegiate Crescent, Collegiate Campus, Sheffield, S10 2BP, UK. d.harrop@shu.ac.uk.
authors: Deborah
authors: D
authors: Harrop
authors: Faculty of Health and Wellbeing, Sheffield Hallam University, Montgomery House, 32 Collegiate Crescent, Collegiate Campus, Sheffield, S10 2BP, UK. a.gumber@shu.ac.uk.
authors: Anil
authors: A
authors: Gumber
authors: Faculty of Health and Wellbeing, Sheffield Hallam University, Mercury House, 36 Collegiate Crescent, Collegiate Campus, Sheffield, S10 2BP, UK. s.mclean@shu.ac.uk.
authors: Sionnadh
authors: S
authors: McLean
mesh_terms: D002985:Clinical Protocols; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D009333:Neck / Q000473:pathology*; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D012107:Research Design; D000078202:Systematic Reviews as Topic; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology*