Control Groups in Trials for Chronic Neck Pain
Author Information
Author(s): Vernon Howard, Humphreys B Kim, Hagino Carol
Primary Institution: Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College
Hypothesis
What is the expected outcome of chronic mechanical neck pain patients who are assigned to control groups?
Conclusion
Changes in pain scores for chronic neck pain patients in no-treatment and placebo control groups were similarly small and not significantly different.
Supporting Evidence
- 20 studies were included in the final analysis, with 5 in the no-treatment group and 15 in the placebo group.
- The mean effect size of change in pain ratings in the no-treatment control studies was 0.18 for outcomes up to 10 weeks.
- In placebo control groups, the mean effect size was 0.50 for outcomes up to 10 weeks.
- None of the comparisons between the no-treatment and placebo groups were statistically significant.
Takeaway
This study looked at people with neck pain who didn't get treatment in trials and found that they didn't feel much better over time, whether they got a placebo or no treatment at all.
Methodology
A systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of conservative treatments for chronic mechanical neck pain was conducted, focusing on studies with control groups.
Potential Biases
Subjects in control groups may have self-treated or sought additional relief, potentially affecting outcomes.
Limitations
The study may have missed some English-language studies and did not include non-English studies, which could provide different findings.
Participant Demographics
Average age of participants in the no-treatment group was 41.2 years, and in the placebo group, it was 43.9 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p=0.005
Confidence Interval
{"no_treatment":{"1_10_weeks":[-0.05,0.41],"12_52_weeks":[0.12,0.68]},"placebo":{"0_10_weeks":[0.1,0.9],"12_24_weeks":[-1.97,2.66]}}
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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