Investigating Clinical Indicators of Spine Related Dysfunction Patterns. A Clinical Study on Neck Pain Patients.

Anamnestic criteria_administrative data (descriptive)

i.e. name of the patient, date of birth, sex, BMI, profession, hobbies

Time frame: 1 single time at first intake

anamnestic criteria_ red flag screening (descriptive)

i.e. a list of signs and symptoms that could refer to a severe underlying pathology

Time frame: 1 single time at first intake

anamnestic criteria_ body chart (descriptive)

i.e. a body map where pain localization, referred pain areas and the quality of the pain are registered

Time frame: 1 single time at first intake

anamnestic criteria_ movement restriction(s) (descriptive)

i.e. all movements that are limited due to the patients neck complaints are registered

Time frame: 1 single time at first intake

anamnestic criteria_ onset and evolution of the neck complaints (descriptive)

i.e. the onset and the evolution of the neck complaints are registered

Time frame: 1 single time at first intake

anamnestic criteria_ better/worse section (descriptive)

i.e. all activities that provoke and/or reduce the neck complaints are listed

Time frame: 1 single time at first intake

anamnestic criteria_ history (descriptive)

i.e. the previous episodes of similar complaints are registered

Time frame: 1 single time at first intake

anamnestic criteria_ previous treatment (descriptive)

i.e. previous treatments for similar complaints are recorded

Time frame: 1 single time at first intake

anamnestic criteria_ yellow flags (descriptive)

i.e. beliefs and appraisals of the patient which may lead to chronic neck pain are registered

Time frame: 1 single time at first intake

anamnestic criteria_ results of additional (technical) investigations (descriptive)

i.e. results of medical imagery, EMG testing, blood test that are available to the patient are collected

Time frame: 1 single time at first intake

clinical examination criteria_ inspection & palpation (descriptive)

i.e. inspection of the overall posture of the head and neck, and palpation of the soft tissues in that area to appreciate the muscle tone, temperature, swelling

Time frame: 1 single time at first intake

clinical examination criteria_ basic functional assessment of the neck and shoulder (descriptive)

i.e. active and passive movement examination of the neck and shoulder to assess the range of motion, pain, and quality of movement

Time frame: 1 single time at first intake

clinical examination criteria_ additional testing for articular involvement (descriptive)

i.e. passive intervertebral provocation and movement testing of the spinal segments of the neck

Time frame: 1 single time at first intake

clinical examination criteria_ additional testing for myofascial involvement (descriptive)

i.e. assessment of the muscle length, strength, pain provocation in tender points

Time frame: 1 single time at first intake

clinical examination criteria_ additional testing for neurological involvement (descriptive)

i.e. neurodynamic testing: palpation of the peripheral nerves in the upper limb, upper limb tension tests, reflex testing, motor and sensory function

Time frame: 1 single time at first intake

clinical examination criteria_ additional testing for central involvement (descriptive)

i.e. the NDI and CSI questionnaire

Time frame: 1 single time at first intake

clinical examination criteria_ sensory motor control involvement (descriptive)

i.e. examination of the neuromuscular control of the cervical flexor and extensor muscles

Time frame: 1 single time at first intake

clinical examination criteria_ additional testing for other areas related to the patient's neck complaints (descriptive)

i.e. temporomandibular joint / thoracic spine / lumbar spine / lower limb / abdominal examination

Time frame: 1 single time at first intake

Clinical reasoning variables_ tissue mechanisms (descriptive)

i.e. the interpretation of the therapist on the dominant tissue mechanism (nociceptive - mechanical - neuropathic - central pain) is registered

Time frame: 1 single time at first intake

Clinical reasoning variables_ pain mechanisms (descriptive)

i.e. the interpretation of the therapist on the dominant pain mechanism (input-processing-output) for that particular patient is registered, as described in a study by Gifford et al., 1998; Butler, 2000

Time frame: 1 single time at first intake

Clinical reasoning variables_ dominant dysfunction pattern (descriptive)

i.e. the presence of a cluster of findings that raise suspicion of a dominant dysfunction pattern as described in a previous study by Dewitte et al., 2016

Time frame: 1 single time at first intake