Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics
Volume 32, Issue 2, Supplement , Pages S39-S45, February 2009

Methods for the Best Evidence Synthesis on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders:

The Bone and Joint Decade 2000–2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders

  • Linda J. Carroll, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Public Health Sciences, and the Alberta Centre for Injury Control and Research, School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Canada
    • Corresponding Author InformationAddress correspondence and reprint requests to Linda J. Carroll, PhD, 4075 RTF, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2E1.
    • ,
  • J. David Cassidy, DC, PhD, DMedSc

      Affiliations

    • Department of Public Health Sciences and Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Centre of Research Expertise in Improved Disability Outcomes (CREIDO), University Health Network Rehabilitation Solutions, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Canada
    • Division of Health Care and Outcomes Research, Toronto Western Research Institute, Toronto, Canada
    • ,
  • Paul M. Peloso, MD, MSc, FRCP(C)

      Affiliations

    • Endocrinology, Analgesia and Inflammation, Merck & Co. Rahway, NJ
    • ,
  • Lori Giles-Smith, MLIS

      Affiliations

    • Neil John Maclean Health Sciences Library, University of Manitoba, Canada
    • ,
  • C. Sam Cheng, MLIS

      Affiliations

    • Douglas College Library, New Westminster, BC, Canada
    • ,
  • Stephen W. Greenhalgh, MA, MLIS

      Affiliations

    • Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Canada
    • ,
  • Scott Haldeman, DC, MD, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Neurology, University of California, Irvine, CA
    • Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
    • ,
  • Gabrielle van der Velde, DC

      Affiliations

    • Department of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
    • Institute for Work & Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
    • Centre of Research Excellence in Improved Disability Outcomes (CREIDO), University Health Network Rehabilitation Solutions, Toronto Western Hospital, Canada
    • Division of health Care Outcomes and Research, Toronto Western Research Institute, Toronto, Canada
    • ,
  • Eric L. Hurwitz, DC, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Public Health Sciences, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI
    • ,
  • Pierre Côté, DC, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Public Health Sciences and Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Centre of Research Expertise in Improved Disability Outcomes (CREIDO), University Health Network Rehabilitation Solutions, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Canada
    • Centre of Research Excellence in Improved Disability Outcomes (CREIDO), University Health Network Rehabilitation Solutions, Toronto Western Hospital, Canada
    • Institute for Work & Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
    • Division of health Care Outcomes and Research, Toronto Western Research Institute, Toronto, Canada
    • ,
  • Margareta Nordin, PT, DMedSc

      Affiliations

    • Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medicine and Graduate School of Arts and Science, NY University, NY
    • Department of Environmental Medicine and Program of Ergonomics and Biomechanics, School of Medicine and Graduate School of Arts and Science, NY University, NY
    • Occupational and Industrial Orthopaedic Center (OIOC), NY University Medical Center, NY
    • ,
  • Sheilah Hogg-Johnson, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Institute for Work & Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
    • Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
    • ,
  • Lena W. Holm, DMedSci

      Affiliations

    • Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
    • ,
  • Jaime Guzman, MD, MSc, FRCP

      Affiliations

    • Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, BC, Canada
    • Occupational Health and Safety Agency for Healthcare in BC, Canada
    • ,
  • Eugene J. Carragee, MD, FACS

      Affiliations

    • Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA
    • Orthopaedic Spine Center and Spinal Surgery Service, Stanford University Hospital and Clinics, CA

Abstract 

Study Design

Best evidence synthesis.

Objective

To provide a detailed description of the methods undertaken in a systematic search and perform a best evidence synthesis on the frequency, determinants, assessment, interventions, course and prognosis of neck pain, and its associated disorders.

Summary of Background Data

Neck pain is an important cause of health burden; however, the published information is vast, and stakeholders would benefit from a summary of the best evidence.

Methods

The Bone and Joint Decade 2000–2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and its Associated Disorders conducted a systematic search and critical review of the literature published between 1980 and 2006 to assemble the best evidence on neck pain. Citations were screened for relevance to the Neck Pain Task Force mandate, using a priori criteria, and relevant studies were critically reviewed for their internal scientific validity. Findings from studies meeting criteria for scientific validity were synthesized into a best evidence synthesis.

Results

We found 31,878 citations, of which 1203 were relevant to the mandate of the Neck Pain Task Force. After critical review, 552 studies (46%) were judged scientifically admissible and were compiled into the best evidence synthesis.

Conclusion

The Bone and Joint Decade 2000–2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and its Associated Disorders undertook a best evidence synthesis to establish a baseline of the current best evidence on the epidemiology, assessment and classification of neck pain, as well as interventions and prognosis for this symptom. This article reports the methods used and the outcomes from the review. We found that 46% of the research literature was of acceptable scientific quality to inform clinical practice, policy-making, and future research.

Key words:  neck pain, systematic review, epidemiology, assessment, treatment, prognosis

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 The manuscript submitted does not contain information about medical device(s)/drug(s).

 Corporate/Industry, Foundation, and Professional Organizational funds were received in support of this work. No benefits in any form have been or will be received from a commercial party related directly or indirectly to the subject of this manuscript.

 Reprinted from Carroll LJ et al. Methods for the best evidence synthesis on neck pain and its associated disorders. The Bone and Joint Decade 2000–2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders. Spine 2008;33:S33-S38. Reprinted with permission from Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

PII: S0161-4754(08)00336-9

doi:10.1016/j.jmpt.2008.11.009

Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics
Volume 32, Issue 2, Supplement , Pages S39-S45, February 2009

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