Using a Clinical Decision Guide for Neck Pain
Author Information
Author(s): Donald R. Murphy, Eric L. Hurwitz
Primary Institution: Rhode Island Spine Center
Hypothesis
The study aims to present the prevalence of findings using a diagnosis-based clinical decision guide (DBCDG) in patients with neck pain.
Conclusion
The DBCDG can be applied in a busy private practice environment.
Supporting Evidence
- 1% of patients showed signs of visceral disease.
- 27% had centralization signs.
- 69% exhibited segmental pain provocation signs.
- 19% had radicular signs.
- 22% showed clinically relevant myofascial signs.
Takeaway
Doctors can use a special guide to help figure out what's causing neck pain in patients, which can help them treat it better.
Methodology
Data were gathered on consecutive patients with neck pain examined by trained examiners using the DBCDG.
Potential Biases
The observational design may introduce bias as practitioners were not blinded to findings.
Limitations
The sample size was small, and all data were gathered at a single clinic, limiting generalizability.
Participant Demographics
63% of participants were female, with a mean age of 45 years.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
95% CI = 59.8-78.5 for segmental pain provocation signs.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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