@article{16360,
  author = {Refshauge K. and Leaver A. and Jull G. and McAuley J. and Maher C.},
  title = {Characteristics of a new episode of neck pain},
  abstract = {<p>
We report on the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients seeking manual therapy care for a new episode of non-specific neck pain and report on characteristics associated with higher levels of pain and disability in these patients. Demographic and clinical data were collected from patients who enrolled in a clinical trial of manipulation for neck pain. A profile of these patients was formulated using descriptive statistics. Multivariate linear regression models were used to describe the relationship between patient characteristics and severity of pain and disability. Patients with a new episode of non-specific neck pain reported pain intensity of 6.1 +/- 2.0 (mean +/- SD) on a 0-10 numerical scale and disability scores of 15.7 +/- 7.4 (Neck Disability Index/50). Sixty-three percent had a prior history of neck pain. Concomitant symptoms were highly prevalent including upper limb pain (80%), headache (65%), upper back pain (64%), lower back pain (39%), dizziness (31%) and nausea (23%). There was a strong association between pain intensity and disability (p &lt; 0.01). More severe pain was also associated with not having concomitant back pain (p = 0.01) More severe disability was also associated with poor general health (p &lt; 0.01), nausea (p &lt; 0.01), smoking, (p = 0.02) low SF-12 mental health score (p = 0.02), and shorter duration of symptoms (p = 0.03). Patients with a new episode of neck pain, and deemed suitable for treatment with neck manipulation reported moderately high intensity pain and disability with widespread and frequent concomitant symptoms.
</p>
},
  year = {2012},
  journal = {Manual Therapy},
  edition = {2012/06/19},
  month = {-35726387164},
  isbn = {1532-2769 (Electronic)1356-689X (Linking)},
  note = {Man Ther. 2012 Jun 13.},
  language = {Eng},
}