Table 1.
Preliminary list of potential baseline variables and constructs [27]
| Baseline data | Example of the measurement |
|---|---|
| Primary outcome measures | |
| Pain intensity | Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Northwick Park Neck Pain Questionnaire (NPQ) |
| Pain-related disability | Neck Disability Index (NDI), Neck Pain and Disability Scale (NPAD) |
| Quality of life | 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), World Health Organisation Quality-of-Life Scale (WHOQOL-BREF), self-reported health outcomes (physical performance, functional ability, life satisfaction, overall cognitive functioning, etc.) |
| Demographic data of participants | |
| Age | Present age |
| Sex | Male, female |
| Body mass index (BMI) or height and weight | Individual’s BMI or height and weight |
| Occupation | For the past year |
| Day-to-day life | |
| Leisure activities | Sporting events, outdoor activities, and personal interests |
| Physical health | Physical fitness level |
| Physical activity level | Mild/moderate/vigorous |
| Cigarette smoking | Habits of smoking |
| Alcohol use | Drinking quantity/rate |
| Computer use | Hours per day |
| Socio-demographic features | |
| Economic and financial background | Academic achievements, income |
| Employability | Workplace, job title, current work status |
| Relationships | Relationships with partners, relations, peers, and neighbours |
| Healthiness | Feeling well/lethargy levels |
| Medication usage | Medications used for current condition (chronic non-specific neck pain) |
| Associated health problems | Presenting other health-related conditions (e.g. other types of muscular pain except chronic non-specific neck pain, breathing difficulties, gastrointestinal problems, severe headaches, pain in more than one site of the body) |
| Past trauma reported | Medical leave (except for chronic non-specific neck pain), or traumatic incidents |
| Settlement and legal compensation | |
| Employee’s recompense; lost working hours, absence from regular work, paybacks, retirement fund | Evidence of employee’s recompense, lost working hours/days, absence taken as a consequence of chronic non-specific neck pain, paybacks, applied or expect to apply for retirement fund |
| Attribute to chronic non-specific neck pain | Legal process, negligence for damage/harm, pain-inducing work, causes, and the rationale for chronic non-specific neck pain |
| Pre-existent chronic non-specific neck pain (affected prior to present incidence) | |
| Pain onset | Onset of chronic non-specific neck pain (e.g., quick or continuing) |
| Time length of the incidence | Time length of chronic non-specific neck pain, duration concerning the incidence, and putting assertions |
| Clinical features of chronic non-specific neck pain at baseline | |
| Gravity of the discomfort due to chronic non-specific neck pain | Pain rating scales, factors increasing or decreasing pain, tools, and questionnaires to assess pain severity, numeric rating scale |
| Restrictions in the day-to-day activities | Questionnaires and tools to assess the activity limitations, disability level, and participation restrictions |
| Alteration of clinical features | Recovering or deteriorating |
| Outcomes of the physical tests performed at baseline | |
| Joint movement ranges | Change in range of motion |
| Behaviour of the pain (central pain) | Behaviour of the pain (on and off) |
| Any different outcomes from other tests performed | Muscle strength, endurance, flexibility, palpations, and attitudes of the limbs related to the body |
| Outcomes of the assessment of the nervous system at baseline | |
| Location; nerve root; radiculopathy | Pain located in the neck region, radiating pain |
| Participant’s mental state | |
| Depression | Questionnaires and tools to assess the condition |
| Conditions that can affect the participant | E.g. post-traumatic stress disorder, mood disorders, schizophrenia |
| Chronic non-specific neck pain findings | |
| Type and cause | Detailed findings about type and causes (pain arising from muscles/ligaments/spinal joints, herniated disc, facet joint involvement) |
| Participant’s ability to comprehend his/ her clinical features | Participant’s ability to comprehend clinical features |
| Participant’s predictions regarding the improvement of the condition | |
| Self-assessed job readiness | Self-assessed job readiness regarding chronic non-specific neck pain |
| Self-evaluated job proficiency | Self-assessment to continue the same work previously engaged, barriers, and capacity with chronic non-specific neck pain |
| Psychological capability of returning to work | Psychological capability to return to work, worker role interview |
| Opportunities for returning to previous job | Opportunities for returning to previous job |
| Participant’s desire after treatments |
Patient satisfaction Self-reported treatment success Minimal side effects |