Persistent back pain is a common presentation in primary care settings. It presents significant costs in relation to care, absenteeism, and early retirement. Chronic back and neck pain can be moderate to severe and debilitating. Often back and neck pain of musculoskeletal origin is self-limited and resolves with little or no intervention, however it is also often recurrent.

While chronic back and neck pain is often of musculoskeletal origin, the possibility of other serious etiologies must also be considered.

Common approaches to nonspecific back and neck pain include physical therapy, advice to stay active and analgesia. The main treatment goals are pain reduction and improving function.

It has been reported that firmness and/or construction of bedding systems may be associated with complaints of back and neck discomfort or pain.

The purpose of this report is to retrieve and review the existing evidence of efficacy and evidence-based guidelines for the use of specific mattresses to reduce chronic back and neck pain of musculoskeletal origin.

Contents

• CONTEXT AND POLICY ISSUES
• RESEARCH QUESTIONS
• KEY FINDINGS
• METHODS
  • Literature Search Strategy
  • Selection Criteria and Methods
  • Exclusion Criteria
  • Critical Appraisal of Individual Studies
• SUMMARY OF EVIDENCE
  • Quantity of Research Available
  • Summary of Study Characteristics
  • Summary of Critical Appraisal
  • Summary of Findings
  • Limitations
• CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR DECISION OR POLICY MAKING
• REFERENCES
• APPENDIX 1 Selection of Included Studies
• APPENDIX 2 SUMMARY OF STUDY CHARACTERISTICS
• APPENDIX 3 Guideline Grading of Recommendations and Levels of Evidence
• APPENDIX 4 Summary of Critical Appraisal of RCT using the Downs and Black checklist
• APPENDIX 5 Summary of Critical Appraisal of Guidelines Using AGREE
• APPENDIX 6 Summary of Findings of the Included RCT
• APPENDIX 7 Summary of Recommendations by Source (for grading schemes see APPENDIX 3)

Disclaimer: The Rapid Response Service is an information service for those involved in planning and providing health care in Canada. Rapid responses are based on a limited literature search and are not comprehensive, systematic reviews. The intent is to provide a list of sources of the best evidence on the topic that CADTH could identify using all reasonable efforts within the time allowed. Rapid responses should be considered along with other types of information and health care considerations. The information included in this response is not intended to replace professional medical advice, nor should it be construed as a recommendation for or against the use of a particular health technology. Readers are also cautioned that a lack of good quality evidence does not necessarily mean a lack of effectiveness particularly in the case of new and emerging health technologies, for which little information can be found, but which may in future prove to be effective. While CADTH has taken care in the preparation of the report to ensure that its contents are accurate, complete and up to date, CADTH does not make any guarantee to that effect. CADTH is not liable for any loss or damages resulting from use of the information in the report.