Table 1 Definitions of 4 the main patterns and 16 predefined trajectory subgroups used for analysis as presented in Kongsted et al. [9]
From: Neck pain patterns and subgrouping based on weekly SMS-derived trajectories
Pattern | Subgroup label | Variation Days | Variation Intensity | Intensity level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
ONGOING | 1. Severe | > 4 days with NP each week | Intensity stays within +/− 1 of mean value | Mean intensity ≥6 |
2. Moderate | > 4 days with NP each week | Intensity stays within +/− 1 of mean value | Mean intensity ≥4 and < 6 | |
3. Mild | > 4 days with NP each week | Intensity stays within +/− 1 of mean value | Mean intensity ≥2 and < 4 | |
4. Minor/recovery | - no pain-free 4-weeks periods or - always pain = 0 (recovered) | Intensity stays within +/− 1 of mean value | Mean intensity < 2 | |
PERSISTENT FLUCTUATING | 5. Severe | No pain-free 4-weeks periods | Difference between mean and min or max value exceeds 1 | Mean intensity ≥6 |
6. Moderate | No pain-free 4-weeks periods | Difference between mean and min or max value exceeds 1 | Mean intensity ≥4 and < 6 | |
7. Mild | No pain-free 4-weeks periods | Difference between mean and min or max value exceeds 1 | Mean intensity ≥2 and < 4 | |
8. Minor | No pain-free 4-weeks periods | Difference between mean and min or max value exceeds 1 | Mean intensity < 2 | |
EPISODIC | 9. Severe | Pain-free periods of min. 4 weeks in a row between weeks with pain. Four weeks or more without pain in the beginning or end of the course does not indicate a new episode. | Max intensity ≥6 | |
10. Moderate | Pain-free periods of min. 4 weeks in a row between weeks with pain. Four weeks or more without pain in the beginning or end of the course does not indicate a new episode. | Max intensity ≥4 and < 6 | ||
11. Mild | Pain-free periods of min. 4 weeks in a row between weeks with pain. Four weeks or more without pain in the beginning or end of the course does not indicate a new episode. | Max intensity ≥2 and < 4 | ||
12. Minor | Pain-free periods of min. 4 weeks in a row, but not always pain = 0. Four weeks or more without pain in the beginning or end of the course does not indicate a new episode. | Max intensity < 2 | ||
SINGLE EPISODE | 13. Severe | One single episode or flare-up lasting 1–2 weeks (which are not the first or the last week of measurement) | Max intensity ≥6 | |
14. Moderate | One single episode or flare-up lasting 1–2 weeks (which are not the first or the last week of measurement) | Max intensity ≥4 and < 6 | ||
15. Mild | One single episode or flare-up lasting 1–2 weeks (which are not the first or the last week of measurement) | Max intensity ≥2 and < 4 | ||
16. Minor | One single episode or flare-up lasting 1–2 weeks (which are not the first or the last week of measurement) | Max intensity < 2 |