705: Associations Between Psychological Factors and Patient-Reported Outcomes in Chronic Neck Pain

Topic: Experimental (Non-clinical) Human Studies
Subtopic: Non -specific to any diagnosis, Psychology

Background and Aims: Chronic neck pain (CNP) is a common musculoskeletal condition worldwide. Psychological symptoms such as anxiety, depression, kinesiophobia and pain catastrophizing are frequently observed in individuals with CNP; however, their relationship with patient-reported outcomes remains unclear. This systematic review aimed to examine the associations between these psychological factors and patient-reported outcomes, including pain intensity and neck disability, in individuals with CNP.

Methods: Four electronic databases were searched from inception to February 2025. Studies were included if they assessed psychological factors (including anxiety, depression, pain catastrophizing or kinesiophobia) in individuals with CNP and reported associations with pain intensity or neck disability. Risk of bias was independently assessed by two reviewers using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale. Correlation coefficients were extracted and converted to Fisher’s z values and standard errors. Meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.3 with a random-effects model to obtain pooled estimates, which were then then reconverted to correlation coefficients (r) for results interpretation.

Results: Twelve studies were included in this study, with seven rated as high quality and five as moderate quality. Meta-analysis showed a moderate positive association between pain intensity and pain catastrophizing (Fisher’s z = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.19–0.37; I2 = 0%; r = 0.27, p = 0.001). Neck disability was significantly associated with depression (Fisher’s z = 0.23, 95% CI: 0.00–0.46; I2=0%, r = 0.23, p = 0.05), kinesiophobia (Fisher’s z = 0.23, 95% CI: 0.05–0.40; I2 = 23%; r = 0.23, p = 0.02), and pain catastrophizing (Fisher’s z = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.30–0.67; I2 = 13%, r = 0.45, p = 0.002).

Conclusions: Our results showed that pain catastrophizing is moderately associated with pain intensity in individuals with CNP. Additionally, depression, kinesiophobia, and pain catastrophizing are significantly associated with neck disability. These findings highlight the importance of comprehensive assessment and management of psychological symptoms in individuals with CNP. Future research should focus on longitudinal and intervention studies to clarify causal relationships and evaluate the effectiveness of targeted psychological therapies in CNP management.

References: N/A

Presenting Author: Leong Hio Teng
Submitting Author: Hio Teng Leong

Senior Author: Leong Hio Teng

IASP 2026 Global Year theme of Neuropathic Pain: Yes

• Lee Wing Ki - The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
• Ching Chun Kwan - The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
• Ho Chung Yee Cecilia - The Hong Kong Polytechnic University