A population-based survey of beliefs about neck pain from whiplash injury, work-related neck pain, and work-related upper extremity pain.

BACKGROUND

Beliefs about pain conditions appear to influence recovery in a variety of musculoskeletal conditions. Little is known about population beliefs about neck and arm pain.

AIMS: To evaluate population beliefs of three common musculoskeletal conditions: work-related neck and arm pain and whiplash injury (WAD).

METHODS

Mail-out surveys were delivered to 2000 adult residents of two Canadian provinces cross-sectionally. To evaluate beliefs about the three conditions, the back beliefs questionnaire was modified yielding three comparable 10-item measures. In addition, we inquired about the belief about how quickly the condition settles. Respondents indicated their level of agreement on a 5-point Likert scale with lower scores interpreted as negative or pessimistic. Overall and item specific descriptive statistics are reported. A one-way repeated measures ANOVA was performed to compare beliefs across conditions.

RESULTS

Three hundred (15%) surveys were returned. Overall belief scores were different across conditions (p<0.001). Post-hoc tests revealed beliefs about whiplash injury were more negative compared to the other conditions (p<0.017). There were moderate levels of uncertainty in the responses, especially in regard to whiplash injury. For items related to active coping, over 55% of respondents agreed that remaining active and exercising was important. The sample was pessimistic in regard to recovery and resuming usual activities for all conditions, but more so in the case of WAD.

CONCLUSIONS

Population beliefs related to neck pain, arm pain, and WAD in the two Canadian provinces sampled were consistent with the literature in regard to remaining active, but appeared misinformed relating to the prognosis of these conditions. Strategies for reeducating the public are indicated.