Pain, coping, emotional state and physical function in patients with chronic radicular neck pain: A comparison between patients treated with surgery, physiotherapy or neck collar—A blinded, prospective randomized study.

Explored the relationships between pain, emotional state, and coping strategies in patients with chronic radicular neck pain before and after surgery or conservative treatments. The authors randomized 81 consecutive patients (aged 28–64 yrs) with cervical radicular pain and nerve root compression, verified by MRI, to either surgical decompression with fusion or physiotherapy or neck collar. Emotional state was measured with the Mood Adjective Check List, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and with a Coping Strategies Questionnaire. Pain was measured with VAS and function with Disability Index Rating. Measurements were made before treatment, and follow ups after 3 and 12 mo post treatment. The authors found generally a low emotional state with anxiety, depression, and sleep-disturbances not only connected to pain. Pain improved faster in the surgery group but after 1 yr no differences were seen. Surgery and physiotherapy improved function with heavy work compared to collar after 3 mo. Many patients used active coping before treatment, but after treatment more passive coping strategies were found. A multidisciplinary rehabilitation with cognitive behavioral therapy and psychological interventions is recommended. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)