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Prevalence of Neck Pain and Disability in Patients With Concussion: A Survey Study
Meenakshi Sundaram1, Clair Smith2, Charity G Patterson3
1Department of Physical Therapy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Objective:
A subset of patients with concussion report neck pain that may increase the likelihood of persistent postconcussive symptoms, but the prevalence of comorbid neck pain with concussion has not been well studied. Hence, the primary objective of this study was to define the prevalence of comorbid neck pain and disability in patients after concussion.
Design:
A cross-sectional electronic survey.
Setting:
Two different academic medical center concussion clinics.
Participants:
A convenience sample of adult (age ≥18 years) concussion patients with a Glasgow Coma Score of 13 to 15 and presenting at the concussion clinic. No other specific exclusion criteria.
Interventions:
Not applicable.
Main Outcome Measures:
Survey questions on demographics, concussion-related clinical history, neck pain, neck-related disability, and headache.
Resultsintotal,:
299 adults completed the one-time anonymous survey. In total, 183 respondents (61%) reported having comorbid neck pain, with a mean numeric pain score of 5.0 ± 2 (0-10 range) and a mean neck disability index score of 38%. In total, 68% of respondents with neck pain reported the upper cervical region as the most frequent location of pain. The subset of respondents reporting neck pain with headache were more likely to report their headache radiating forward (40%; OR 4.58, CI, 2.39-8.77) and getting worse with pushing the neck (19%; OR 11.62, CI 2.73-49.55) or with movements of the head and neck (39%; OR 3.71, CI, 1.99-6.90).
Conclusions:
The findings of this study reveal a high prevalence of comorbid neck pain with moderate levels of pain and disability in patients with concussion.
