1. What is the full name of the VideoNeck study?

Symptom response identification in neck pain: a reliability study using videotaped assessments across multiple examiners.

2.What is the purpose of the VideoNeck study?

The VideoNeck study is looking at the utility of various aspects of the neck pain assessment. Emphasis is however placed on the agreement in the identification of symptom response groups across multiple examiners. By symptom response groups we mean patients classified to a specific category according to changes in their symptoms, induced during their examination. We are also comparing the ratings and the clinical reasoning of different examiners based on the videotaped assessments of patients with neck pain.

3. Why is the VideoNeck study being done?

Neck pain is a very common condition and therefore, any clinical information that contributes to the decisions made about diagnostic practice and effective treatments is very important. Pain and symptom response to spinal testing have been argued to be important clues in the assessment of spinal conditions. However, limited evidence exists regarding their utility in neck pain.

4. Who is invited to participate?

Practionners who have a special interest in the assessment and treatment of musculoskeletal spinal conditions. You are likely to have dealt with, or will deal in the future, with a patient with neck pain. 

5. Do I have to take part?

It is up to you to decide whether or not to take part.  If you decide to take part, you have to sign a consent form for this study and complete the study documentation. You will be free to withdraw at any time and without giving a reason.  This decision will not affect you or your rights in any way.

6. What will happen to me if I take part?

You will be asked to sign a consent form and complete the raters information questionnaire. A copy of both documents is attached to this information sheet. The raters information questionnaire asks some personal and professional information about you which we will use to determine the profile of the examiners group and to contact you further regarding this study. This questionnaire should take approximately 10 minutes to complete and you can complete this in your own time. You will also be given further information about the study procedures and assessment of patients as well as instructions for the completion of the study forms.

7. What do I have to do?

First you need to complete, sign and return the consent form and the raters questionnaire (a self-addressed pre paid envelope is enclosed for return of responses). Once we have received these documents, we will contact you with details on how to access to the videotaped assessments which you need to watch in order to fill in the patient assessment forms. The assessment forms can be completed in electronic or in paper format and once finished, should be returned to our research team.

8. What are the possible benefits of taking part?

There are no direct benefits to you from taking part in this study.  However, we are hoping that the data collected will produce information about and contribute to the standardisation and improvement of neck pain assessment.

9. What are the possible disadvantages of taking part?

Completing the study forms and watching the videos will take some of your time. Every effort has been made to keep any inconvenience to a minimum. 

10. Will my taking part in the study be kept confidential?

The use of any information that identifies you during the course of the research will be kept strictly confidential. This information will be kept in a secure place and only people involved in the study or authorised individuals will have access to it.    

11. What happens when the research stops?

The data obtained will be used for internal publication for a PhD Project and submitted for assessment with a view to being published in scientific journals/ conferences. We can also send participants a summary of the study results on request. 

12. What if there is a problem?

In the unlikely event that there is a problem and you wish to complain about any aspect of the way you have been approached or treated during the course of this study, the normal University complaints mechanisms are open to you. If you do have any complaints or you do not wish to continue this study, please contact Ms Angeliki Chorti (Tel: 0044(0)2476150405 or email: ) or Dr. Chris McCarthy, on (Tel: 0044(0)2476575856 or email: ).

13. Who has reviewed this study?

The study has been reviewed by the Biomedical Research Ethics Sub-committee of the University of Warwick.

14. Contact details

If you would like any further information please contact:

 

 

 

 

Key people

• Angeliki Chorti Post-Graduate Research Fellow

Enquiries contact

• Angeliki Chorti Post-Graduate Research Fellow

Links

• Raters information sheet 
• Raters consent form 
• Raters information questionnaire 
• Research at the Medical School
• Research themes
• WMS homepage