ACICR 2007 -2008 Annual Report Addendum - Alberta Centre for ...

The Bone and Joint Decade 2000-2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and its
Associated Disorders
Background
Goal
Neck pain and its associated disorders, including headache and radiating pain into the
arm and upper back, are a major problem in society. It is estimated that neck pain
disables 5% of the population and that between 10% and 20% of the population
experience persistent or chronic, neck pain. Little is know about the most effective ways
of dealing with this important problem. Furthermore, the cost of neck pain in North
America totals billions of dollars each year and is rapidly increasing.
To improve health-related quality of life for people with musculoskeletal disorders and to
improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment for patients with these disorders by using
the best evidence to produce patient-care recommendations.
Objectives 1. To complete a systematic search and critical review of the scientific literature on
neck pain and its associated disorders, including the epidemiology, diagnosis,
prognosis and treatment of acute and chronic neck pain. This includes neck pain
resulting from whiplash injuries, work-related strains and sprains and neck pain of
non-specific etiology.
2. To identify the risks associated with the most common treatments for neck pain:
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and adjustments or manual
manipulation of the cervical spine. This will be done through literature searches and
original research.
3. To complete original research on the characteristics and prognosis of work-related
neck injuries.
4. To produce a decision analysis model to examine patient preference for treatment
options and tolerance for risks inherent in these options.
5. To reach a formalized consensus of experts in topic areas where there is no evidence.
6. To combine these sources of evidence in a Best Evidence Synthesis, which addresses
risk and prevention, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment risks and benefits, based on
the best available scientific evidence. This Best Evidence Synthesis will form the
basis for patient care recommendations.
Status
Partners &
Sponsors
Published February 15, 2008 in Spine.
Institutional Affiliations
• Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
• Institute for Work and Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
• New York University, New York, USA
• Newcastle Bone and Joint Institute, Newcastle, Australia
• North American Spine Society, Houston, Texas, USA
• Osaka University Medical School, Osaka, Japan
• Queen’s Medical Centre for Spinal Studies, Nottingham, UK
• São Paulo University, Brazil
• Spine Unit, Schulthess Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
• Stanford University, Stanford, California
• The Flinn Foundation, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
• University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
• University of Arizona, Phoenix, Arizona
• University of California, Irvine California, USA
• University of Hawaii, Manoa, USA
• University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
• University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
• University Victor Segalen Bordeaux 2, Bordeaux, France
• Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
• WHO Collaborating Center for Neurotrauma, Stockholm, Sweden
Alberta Centre for Injury Control & Research Page 38 of 66 Annual Report Addendum 2007/2008