Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics
Volume 32, Issue 2, Supplement , Pages S70-S86, February 2009

The Burden and Determinants of Neck Pain in Workers:

Results of the Bone and Joint Decade 2000–2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders

  • Pierre Côté, DC, PhD

      Affiliations

    • 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; Departments of Public Health Sciences and Health Policy, University of Toronto, Canada; Institute for Work and Health, Toronto, Canada
    • Corresponding Author InformationAddress correspondence to Pierre Côté, DC, PhD, Toronto Western Hospital, Fell Pavilion 4-124, 399 Bathurst Street, Toronto, ON M5T 2S8
    • ,
  • Gabrielle van der Velde, DC

      Affiliations

    • Institute for Work and Health, Toronto, Canada; Department of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Division of Health Care and Outcomes Research, Toronto Western Research Institute, Toronto, Canada; Centre of Research Excellence in Improved Disability Outcomes (CREIDO), University Health Network Rehabilitation Solutions, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Canada
    • ,
  • J. David Cassidy, DC, PhD, DrMedSc

      Affiliations

    • 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; Departments of Public Health Sciences and Health Policy, University of Toronto, Canada; Department of Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Canada
    • ,
  • 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
    • ,
  • Sheilah Hogg-Johnson, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Institute for Work and Health, Toronto, Canada; Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Toronto, Canada
    • ,
  • Lena W. Holm, DrMedSc

      Affiliations

    • Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
    • ,
  • Eugene J. Carragee, MD, FACS

      Affiliations

    • Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, USA; Orthopaedic Spine Center and Spinal Surgery Service, Stanford University Hospital and Clinics, USA
    • ,
  • Scott Haldeman, DC, MD, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Neurology, University of California, Irvine, USA; Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
    • ,
  • Margareta Nordin, PT, DrMedSc

      Affiliations

    • Departments of Orthopaedics and 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, USA
    • ,
  • Eric L. Hurwitz, DC, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Public Health Sciences, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
    • ,
  • Jaime Guzman, MD, MSc, FRCP(C)

      Affiliations

    • Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia,Canada; Occupational Health and Safety Agency for Healthcare in BC, Canada
    • ,
  • Paul M. Peloso, MD, MSc, FRCP(C)

      Affiliations

    • Endocrinology, Analgesia and Inflammation, Merck & Co. Rahway, NJ, USA

Abstract 

Study Design

Systematic review and best evidence synthesis.

Objectives

To describe the prevalence and incidence of neck pain and disability in workers; to identify risk factors for neck pain in workers; to propose an etiological diagram; and to make recommendations for future research.

Summary of Background Data

Previous reviews of the etiology of neck pain in workers relied on cross-sectional evidence. Recently published cohorts and randomized trials warrant a re-analysis of this body of research.

Methods

We systematically searched Medline for literature published from 1980–2006. Retrieved articles were reviewed for relevance. Relevant articles were critically appraised. Articles judged to have adequate internal validity were included in our best evidence synthesis.

Results

One hundred and nine papers on the burden and determinants of neck pain in workers were scientifically admissible. The annual prevalence of neck pain varied from 27.1% in Norway to 47.8% in Québec, Canada. Each year, between 11% and 14.1% of workers were limited in their activities because of neck pain. Risk factors associated with neck pain in workers include age, previous musculoskeletal pain, high quantitative job demands, low social support at work, job insecurity, low physical capacity, poor computer workstation design and work posture, sedentary work position, repetitive work and precision work. We found preliminary evidence that gender, occupation, headaches, emotional problems, smoking, poor job satisfaction, awkward work postures, poor physical work environment, and workers' ethnicity may be associated with neck pain. There is evidence that interventions aimed at modifying workstations and worker posture are not effective in reducing the incidence of neck pain in workers.

Conclusion

Neck disorders are a significant source of pain and activity limitations in workers. Most neck pain results from complex relationships between individual and workplace risk factors. No prevention strategies have been shown to reduce the incidence of neck pain in workers.

Key words: neck pain, work, disability, sick leave, systematic review, epidemiology, incidence, risk factors, etiology

To access this article, please choose from the options below

Login to an existing account or Register a new account.

  • Purchase this article for 15.00 USD (You must login/register to purchase this article)

    Online access for 24 hours. The PDF version can be downloaded as your permanent record.

  • Subscribe to this title

    Get unlimited online access to this article and all other articles in this title 24/7 for one year.

  • Claim access now

    For current subscribers with Society Membership or Account Number.

  • Visit SciVerse ScienceDirect to see if you have access via your institution.
 

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

 No 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 Côté et al. The burden and determinants of neck pain in workers. Results of the Bone and Joint Decade 2000–2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders. Spine 2008;33:S60-S74. Reprinted with permission from Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

PII: S0161-4754(08)00339-4

doi:10.1016/j.jmpt.2008.11.012

Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics
Volume 32, Issue 2, Supplement , Pages S70-S86, February 2009

Article Tools

* Image Usage & Resolution