An overview of systematic reviews investigating the accuracy, reliability, and relationships of tests and measures for diagnosis of neck pain

Scott Lowe

An overview of systematic reviews investigating the accuracy, reliability, and relationships of tests and measures for diagnosis of neck pain

Department of Physical Therapy

Research output: Contribution to conference › Presentation

Abstract

   Background:  Neck pain is a common condition and often difficult to differentiate and diagnose. Previous literature has investigated diagnostic accuracy of examination measures, but the strength and clinical applicability is limited. The primary aim of this review was to investigate tests and measures for diagnosis of neck pain.
   Methods:  An umbrella review was performed where four databases were searched electronically for systematic reviews of randomized clinical trials evaluating diagnostic criteria for neck pain. Quality and risk of bias were assessed using the AMSTAR 2 and ROBIS. Diagnostic criteria were investigated for accuracy, reliability, and relationship to neck pain diagnoses.
   Results:  Twenty seven systematic reviews were included. Results were summarized in narrative format. Hand radiculopathy and numbness have good specificities (0.89-0.92) for facet and uncinate joint hypertrophy. The extension rotation test (ERT) and manual assessment have good sensitivities and moderate-good specificities. Positive ERT combined with positive manual assessment findings (+LR = 4.71; Sp = 0.83) improves diagnostic accuracy compared to positive ERT alone (+LR = 2.01; Sp = 0.59). Canadian C-spine Rules and Nexus low-risk criteria have excellent validity in screening for cervical fracture or instability. Imaging appears to have validity in diagnosing ligamentous disruption or fractures, but lacks clarity on predicting future neck pain. Increased fatty infiltrates have been found with whiplash associated disorders and mechanical neck pain.
   Conclusions:  This review found limited indicators providing strong diagnostic value for tests and measures for diagnosis of cervical spine pathology with neck. Strength of recommendations are limited by heterogeneous outcomes, methodology, and classification systems. Future studies should investigate new differential diagnostic criteria for pathoanatomical neck pain diagnosis.

Original language	American English
State	Published - Oct 27 2023
Event	Annual Conference of the American Association of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists - St. Louis, MO Duration: Oct 27 2023 → …

Conference

Conference	Annual Conference of the American Association of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists
Period	10/27/23 → …

Disciplines

Physical Therapy

Cite this

@conference{22844106a2e942449a9eb7ea4af3c374,

title = "An overview of systematic reviews investigating the accuracy, reliability, and relationships of tests and measures for diagnosis of neck pain",

abstract = " Background: Neck pain is a common condition and often difficult to differentiate and diagnose. Previous literature has investigated diagnostic accuracy of examination measures, but the strength and clinical applicability is limited. The primary aim of this review was to investigate tests and measures for diagnosis of neck pain. Methods: An umbrella review was performed where four databases were searched electronically for systematic reviews of randomized clinical trials evaluating diagnostic criteria for neck pain. Quality and risk of bias were assessed using the AMSTAR 2 and ROBIS. Diagnostic criteria were investigated for accuracy, reliability, and relationship to neck pain diagnoses. Results: Twenty seven systematic reviews were included. Results were summarized in narrative format. Hand radiculopathy and numbness have good specificities (0.89-0.92) for facet and uncinate joint hypertrophy. The extension rotation test (ERT) and manual assessment have good sensitivities and moderate-good specificities. Positive ERT combined with positive manual assessment findings (+LR = 4.71; Sp = 0.83) improves diagnostic accuracy compared to positive ERT alone (+LR = 2.01; Sp = 0.59). Canadian C-spine Rules and Nexus low-risk criteria have excellent validity in screening for cervical fracture or instability. Imaging appears to have validity in diagnosing ligamentous disruption or fractures, but lacks clarity on predicting future neck pain. Increased fatty infiltrates have been found with whiplash associated disorders and mechanical neck pain. Conclusions: This review found limited indicators providing strong diagnostic value for tests and measures for diagnosis of cervical spine pathology with neck. Strength of recommendations are limited by heterogeneous outcomes, methodology, and classification systems. Future studies should investigate new differential diagnostic criteria for pathoanatomical neck pain diagnosis.",

author = "Scott Lowe",

year = "2023",

month = oct,

day = "27",

language = "American English",

note = "Annual Conference of the American Association of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists ; Conference date: 27-10-2023",

}

TY - CONF

T1 - An overview of systematic reviews investigating the accuracy, reliability, and relationships of tests and measures for diagnosis of neck pain

AU - Lowe, Scott

PY - 2023/10/27

Y1 - 2023/10/27

N2 - Background: Neck pain is a common condition and often difficult to differentiate and diagnose. Previous literature has investigated diagnostic accuracy of examination measures, but the strength and clinical applicability is limited. The primary aim of this review was to investigate tests and measures for diagnosis of neck pain. Methods: An umbrella review was performed where four databases were searched electronically for systematic reviews of randomized clinical trials evaluating diagnostic criteria for neck pain. Quality and risk of bias were assessed using the AMSTAR 2 and ROBIS. Diagnostic criteria were investigated for accuracy, reliability, and relationship to neck pain diagnoses. Results: Twenty seven systematic reviews were included. Results were summarized in narrative format. Hand radiculopathy and numbness have good specificities (0.89-0.92) for facet and uncinate joint hypertrophy. The extension rotation test (ERT) and manual assessment have good sensitivities and moderate-good specificities. Positive ERT combined with positive manual assessment findings (+LR = 4.71; Sp = 0.83) improves diagnostic accuracy compared to positive ERT alone (+LR = 2.01; Sp = 0.59). Canadian C-spine Rules and Nexus low-risk criteria have excellent validity in screening for cervical fracture or instability. Imaging appears to have validity in diagnosing ligamentous disruption or fractures, but lacks clarity on predicting future neck pain. Increased fatty infiltrates have been found with whiplash associated disorders and mechanical neck pain. Conclusions: This review found limited indicators providing strong diagnostic value for tests and measures for diagnosis of cervical spine pathology with neck. Strength of recommendations are limited by heterogeneous outcomes, methodology, and classification systems. Future studies should investigate new differential diagnostic criteria for pathoanatomical neck pain diagnosis.

AB - Background: Neck pain is a common condition and often difficult to differentiate and diagnose. Previous literature has investigated diagnostic accuracy of examination measures, but the strength and clinical applicability is limited. The primary aim of this review was to investigate tests and measures for diagnosis of neck pain. Methods: An umbrella review was performed where four databases were searched electronically for systematic reviews of randomized clinical trials evaluating diagnostic criteria for neck pain. Quality and risk of bias were assessed using the AMSTAR 2 and ROBIS. Diagnostic criteria were investigated for accuracy, reliability, and relationship to neck pain diagnoses. Results: Twenty seven systematic reviews were included. Results were summarized in narrative format. Hand radiculopathy and numbness have good specificities (0.89-0.92) for facet and uncinate joint hypertrophy. The extension rotation test (ERT) and manual assessment have good sensitivities and moderate-good specificities. Positive ERT combined with positive manual assessment findings (+LR = 4.71; Sp = 0.83) improves diagnostic accuracy compared to positive ERT alone (+LR = 2.01; Sp = 0.59). Canadian C-spine Rules and Nexus low-risk criteria have excellent validity in screening for cervical fracture or instability. Imaging appears to have validity in diagnosing ligamentous disruption or fractures, but lacks clarity on predicting future neck pain. Increased fatty infiltrates have been found with whiplash associated disorders and mechanical neck pain. Conclusions: This review found limited indicators providing strong diagnostic value for tests and measures for diagnosis of cervical spine pathology with neck. Strength of recommendations are limited by heterogeneous outcomes, methodology, and classification systems. Future studies should investigate new differential diagnostic criteria for pathoanatomical neck pain diagnosis.

M3 - Presentation

T2 - Annual Conference of the American Association of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists

Y2 - 27 October 2023

ER -