Table 2 Demographic description of the study population at baseline divided into categories based on the clinically relevant change in pain intensity
|  | Improved (n = 44; 21 stretch, 23 stretch + SMT) | Not improved (n = 44; 18 stretch, 26 stretch + SMT) |
|---|---|---|
Age, mean (sd) | 56 (14.9) | 60 (12.5) |
Female, n (%) | 24 (55) | 26 (59) |
Baseline pain intensity (NRS-11), mean (sd) | 5.5 (1.7) | 3.6 (2.3) |
Pain duration | ||
 More than 6 months, n (%) | 6 (14) | 8 (18) |
 Several years, n (%) | 37 (84) | 36 (82) |
Pain intensity (NRS-11) change score, mean (sd) | -3.20 (1.1) n = 43 | 1.05 (1.2) n = 44 |
Neck disability change score, mean (sd) | -4.19 (4.5) n = 36 | -1.31 (4.6) n = 36 |
STarT Back categories (Low risk: 0–3. Medium risk: Min. 4 points, max. 3 items from the psychosocial subscale. High risk: 4–5 on the psychosocial subscale.) | ||
 Low risk, n (%) | 34 (77) | 31 (74) |
 Medium risk, n (%) | 5 (11) | 7 (17) |
 High risk, n (%) | 2 (5) | 4 (10) |
Qualitative characteristics of pain (McGill questionnaire) change score, mean (sd) | -4.48 (5.5) n = 42 | 0.67 (8.4) n = 42 |
Type of occupation | ||
 No job, n (%) | 13 (30) | 14 (32) |
 Mostly hard labour, n: (%) | 1 (2) | 1 (2) |
 Mostly a variation between hard and easy labour, n (%) | 4 (9) | 3 (7) |
 Mostly standing and walking, n (%) | 9 (21) | 9 (21) |
 Mostly sitting, n (%) | 17 (39) | 17 (39) |
 Quality of life (EQ-5D) change score, mean (sd) | 0.007 (0.04) n = 30 | -0.012 (0.08) n = 42 |
 Arm pain, n (%) | 27 (61) | 25 (58) |
 Pain in the mid-back, n (%) | 21 (48) | 30 (68) |
 Pain in the low back, n (%) | 23 (52) | 28 (64) |
Sick leave the previous year | ||
Do not work, n (%) | 11 (25) | 9 (26) |
No sick leave, n (%) | 31 (71) | 29 (66) |
Yes, between 1–7 days, n (%) | 2 (5) | 3 (7) |
Yes, between 8–14 days, n (%) | 0 (0) | 1 (2) |
Yes, more than 15Â days, n (%) | 0 (0) | 2 (5) |