Depression and anxiety major determinants of neck pain

Gottingen, Germany, February 14: Clinical and epidemiological studies have found out that non physical variables such as anxiety, depressiondefine and thought patterns can impact pain in the back and neck.

Often neck pain is treated with medicine, chiropractic, therapies, and exercises without considering any psychological factors. A recent study looked at how certain psychosocial factors such as depressiondefine and anxiety relate to neck pain. It reflected on the relationship between depression and neck pain and how the two can be treated for the most effect.

Dr. Martin Scherer, from the University of Gottngen stated that when people with neck pain seek treatment "for successful long-term results, it is essential to consider psychosocial factors and to include them into therapeutic strategies."

Scherer and his colleagues studied 448 patients in Germany. Participants completed a comprehensive questionnaire including the Neck Pain and Disability Scale German version (NPAD-d) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.

More than half of the subjects (56 percent) reported neck pain on the day they completed the questionnaire and 26 percent had constant neck pain during the past year. Analysis was done to look at the relationship between neck pain and socio-demographic, psychosocial, medical history, and health-promoting lifestyle factors.

The study revealed that patients who suffered from depression and anxiety had relatively severe neck pain. Educational level, lack of support, and physical exercise were also factors associated with neck pain.

However, these associations did not persist with adjustment for depression and anxiety. On investigating the levels of depression and anxiety, it was found that people with depressive mood swings had the highest levels of neck pain in the group. Based on the assessment, 20 percent of subjects had depressive mood, and 28 percent were found to be anxious.

The researchers concluded that the higher the neck pain level, the more attention is required on psychosocial distress as a related burden. However, there was a need for more research, to determine whether treating the neck along with psychosocial aspects will make a positive difference.

Scherer felt that "underline that neck pain therapies are more likely to be (effective) if care for chronic patients is not only symptom-oriented but focuses on psychosocial factors that have been proved to be central for development and prognosisdefine of neck pain."

The source of the study is BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders.