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Population-based survey of beliefs about neck and upper extremity injuries: Prelude to social marketing campaigns designed to reduce disability
RS2006-OG01
Final Report Date: November 2007
| Principal Investigator: | Robert Ferrari (University of Alberta) |
| Co-investigators: | Douglas Gross , Linda Carroll, Anthony Russell (University of Alberta) Rachelle Buchbinder (Monash University, Melbourne Australia) Donald Krawciw, WorkSafeBC, Geoff Bostick (University of Alberta) |
For more information about this project, please contact Dr. Robert Ferrari.
Issue
Neck and upper extremity injuries are common in the workplace and are an increasing source of disability. Beliefs and attitudes, such as expectations for recovery, can influence pain and disability outcomes and may be an appropriate target for social marketing programs. In this project, a survey was conducted to learn more about how people view recovery and return to work for three conditions: work-related neck pain, upper extremity pain, or whiplash associated disorders (WAD).
Key findings
- Respondents tended to have pessimistic beliefs about all three conditions.
- For all three conditions, only a minority of respondents agreed with the statement that the condition “settles quickly and you get on with usual activities such as going back to work”.
- Beliefs about WAD were more negative than beliefs about neck and upper extremity pain from work-related injury.
Objectives
- To survey a sample of B.C. and Alberta residents about their beliefs regarding neck pain, upper extremity (shoulder or arm) pain, and whiplash injury
- To examine whether beliefs differ depending on the condition
Method
A questionnaire that has been used to study beliefs about back pain (the Back Beliefs Questionnaire) was adapted for this study. The adapted questionnaire asked respondents how strongly they agree or disagree with statements about recovery, coping, and treatment. One set of ten statements was developed and repeated for each of the three conditions.
The survey was mailed to a random sample of two thousand residents in B.C. and Alberta in 2006, following an introductory postcard alert.
The data was analyzed to assess beliefs about each condition, and whether beliefs differed across the three conditions.
Results
- Pessimistic beliefs were seen across all three conditions.
- Only a minority of respondents agreed with the statement for each condition that it “settles quickly and you get on with usual activities such as going back to work”.
- Beliefs about whiplash were more negative than beliefs about neck and upper extremity pain from work injury.
- A total of 300 completed questionnaires were received. The most common age group category of respondents was 50 to 65.
- Because the response rate was low (15%) and the older age category was over-represented in the sample, the results should be interpreted with caution.
Conclusions
The population sampled in this study appears to hold negative beliefs about the likelihood of recovery and return-to-work in three common musculoskeletal conditions, with the most pessimistic beliefs applying to WAD. The researchers conclude that the findings are important, as negative expectations and fear have been linked to pain and disability outcomes.
Future directions
The results suggest that more research is needed on population beliefs about neck and upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders. Social marketing may also be needed to address overly negative population beliefs about these injuries.
Publications and conference presentations
Bostick GP, Ferrari R, Carroll LJ, Russell AS, Buchbinder R, Krawciw D, Gross DP. A population-based survey of beliefs about neck pain from whiplash injury, work-related neck pain, and work-related upper extremity pain. European Journal of Pain 2008; In press.
Bostick GP, Ferrari R, Carroll L, Buchbinder R, Russell AS, Krawciw D, Gross DP. A comparison of population beliefs across whiplash work related neck and upper extremity injury in Canada. Neck Pain World Congress. Los Angeles CA USA, January 2008.
Bostick GP, Ferrari R, Carroll L, Buchbinder R, Russell AS, Krawciw D, Gross DP. A comparison of population beliefs across whiplash work related neck and upper extremity injury in Canada. Alberta Physical Therapy Conference. Edmonton AB CAN, October 2007.
Bostick GP, Ferrari R, Carroll L, Buchbinder R, Russell AS, Krawciw D, Gross DP. A comparison of population beliefs across whiplash work related neck and upper extremity injury in Canada. Alberta Provincial CIHR Training Program in Bone and Joint Health Meeting. Banff AB CAN, October 2007.