Predictors of short- and long-term outcome in patients with chronic non-specific neck pain undergoing an exercise-based rehabilitation program: a prospective cohort study with 1-year follow-up.

The aim of this study was to describe the clinical course of patients with chronic, non-specific neck pain undergoing a public health covered, exercise-based rehabilitation program and to identify predictors of poor outcome. A prospective cohort study was carried out on patients with non-specific neck pain (6 months or longer), referred by their general practitioner to a 6-session program, including education and individually tailored exercise. The primary outcome measure for the course of neck pain was the Northwick neck pain questionnaire (NPQ) administered on baseline, discharge, and 1 year from discharge.