Psychological distress was linked to lasting or returning neck pain
A review found more consistent evidence for psychological predictors than for physical measures, but certainty was limited and the findings do not establish causes.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
People reporting greater psychological distress or more catastrophic thoughts about pain were more likely to have persistent or recurrent neck pain and disability in the reviewed studies. These were predictive associations, not proof that thoughts or distress caused the symptoms. The evidence was too uncertain to draw firm conclusions about most physical predictors.
All included studies had moderate or high risk of bias. Evidence for the psychological predictors had low to moderate certainty, and the abstract does not report effect sizes or follow-up lengths.
What researchers found
Persistent or recurrent neck pain and disability
Greater catastrophizing or distress predicted these outcomes; reference groups and follow-up durations were not reported.
Study question
The review asked which features might help identify people whose neck pain would continue or return. Researchers examined psychological features and physical measures, including strength, movement and responses to painful stimuli.
Physical predictors
Low-certainty evidence did not identify a relationship between disability and neck movement range, neck extensor strength or cold sensitivity over the neck. That leaves uncertainty about whether these measures can meaningfully predict future disability.
The original publication
Physical and Psychological Predictors for Persistent and Recurrent Non-Specific Neck Pain: A Systematic Review.
Yu CWG, Wongwitwichote K, Mansfield M et al.
Eur J Pain · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 41222211
- Record checked
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