Differences in Patient Characteristics, Number of Treatments, and Recovery Rates Between Referred and Self-referred Patients With Nonspecific Neck Pain in Manual Therapy: A Secondary Analysis.

Mutsaers, BJ; Janssen, FJF; Koes, BW; Pool-Goudswaard, A; Verhagen, AP

Differences in Patient Characteristics, Number of Treatments, and Recovery Rates Between Referred and Self-referred Patients With Nonspecific Neck Pain in Manual Therapy: A Secondary Analysis.

Mutsaers, BJ Janssen, FJF Koes, BW Pool-Goudswaard, A Verhagen, AP

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Publisher:: Elsevier
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 2020, 43, (6), pp. 559-565
Issue Date:: 2020-07

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Mutsaers, BJ
dc.contributor.author	Janssen, FJF
dc.contributor.author	Koes, BW
dc.contributor.author	Pool-Goudswaard, A
dc.contributor.author	Verhagen, AP
dc.date.accessioned	2021-03-05T07:42:46Z
dc.date.available	2021-08-12T19:00:50Z
dc.date.issued	2020-07
dc.identifier.citation	Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 2020, 43, (6), pp. 559-565
dc.identifier.issn	0161-4754
dc.identifier.issn	1532-6586
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/146829
dc.description.abstract	<h4>Objective</h4>In various countries, patients can visit a physiotherapist via self-referral. The aims of this study were to evaluate whether there are differences between individuals with nonspecific neck pain who consult a manual therapist via self-referral and those who do so via referral by a physician concerning patient characteristics, number of treatments, and recovery; and whether (self-)referral is associated with recovery.<h4>Methods</h4>This study is part of a prospective cohort study with posttreatment and 12-month follow-up in a Dutch manual-therapy setting. Adult patients with nonspecific neck pain were eligible for participation. Baseline measurements included demographic data and data concerning neck pain. At follow-up, number of treatments, recovery, and satisfaction were assessed. To evaluate differences between the groups, we used the χ<sup>2</sup> test and the independent t test. A logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between referral status and recovery.<h4>Results</h4>In total, 272 manual therapists participated and 1311 patients were included. Of 831 patients whose referral data are available, about half patients consulted a manual therapist by self-referral. The mean number of treatments was 5.4, which did not differ between the 2 groups. We found no differences between the groups concerning age, sex, pain intensity at baseline, or recovery rate. Patients in the self-referral group experienced acute neck pain more frequently, had recurrent complaints more often, and reported less disability compared to the referred group. Referral status was not associated with recovery.<h4>Conclusion</h4>We found several small differences between self-referred and referred patients.
dc.format	Print-Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	Elsevier
dc.relation.ispartof	Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.jmpt.2019.10.008
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/embargoedAccess
dc.subject	1103 Clinical Sciences, 1104 Complementary and Alternative Medicine
dc.subject.classification	Orthopedics
dc.title	Differences in Patient Characteristics, Number of Treatments, and Recovery Rates Between Referred and Self-referred Patients With Nonspecific Neck Pain in Manual Therapy: A Secondary Analysis.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	43
utslib.location.activity	United States
utslib.for	1103 Clinical Sciences
utslib.for	1104 Complementary and Alternative Medicine
utslib.for	1103 Clinical Sciences
utslib.for	1104 Complementary and Alternative Medicine
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/Graduate School of Health/GSH.Physiotherapy
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/Graduate School of Health
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
pubs.consider-herdc	true
dc.date.updated	2021-03-05T07:42:45Z
pubs.issue	6
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	43
utslib.citation.issue	6

Abstract:

Objective

In various countries, patients can visit a physiotherapist via self-referral. The aims of this study were to evaluate whether there are differences between individuals with nonspecific neck pain who consult a manual therapist via self-referral and those who do so via referral by a physician concerning patient characteristics, number of treatments, and recovery; and whether (self-)referral is associated with recovery.

Methods

This study is part of a prospective cohort study with posttreatment and 12-month follow-up in a Dutch manual-therapy setting. Adult patients with nonspecific neck pain were eligible for participation. Baseline measurements included demographic data and data concerning neck pain. At follow-up, number of treatments, recovery, and satisfaction were assessed. To evaluate differences between the groups, we used the χ² test and the independent t test. A logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between referral status and recovery.

Results

In total, 272 manual therapists participated and 1311 patients were included. Of 831 patients whose referral data are available, about half patients consulted a manual therapist by self-referral. The mean number of treatments was 5.4, which did not differ between the 2 groups. We found no differences between the groups concerning age, sex, pain intensity at baseline, or recovery rate. Patients in the self-referral group experienced acute neck pain more frequently, had recurrent complaints more often, and reported less disability compared to the referred group. Referral status was not associated with recovery.

Conclusion

We found several small differences between self-referred and referred patients.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/146829