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Abstract This systematic review aimed to synthesize the current evidence regarding neck sensorimotor testing in individuals with neck pain, assess the differences between neck pain groups and healthy controls, and recognize factors that might affect test results. We performed the data search using PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Scopus databases. We used a two-step screening process to identify studies. Furthermore, we screened the reference lists for additional studies. Hedges g was used to present the difference between neck pain groups and asymptomatic individuals. We assessed the quality of the studies using the QUADAS tool. The final review included 34 studies, of which 25 were related to the joint position error test, four to the smooth pursuit neck torsion test and six to the balance test. Our meta-analysis showed poorer joint-position sense, oculomotor function, and wider postural sway in individuals with neck pain than healthy controls. The size of the difference between the groups seemed to be influenced by the intensity of the pain and the presence of dizziness. Therefore, it might be helpful in future studies to differentiate patients with neck pain into subgroups based on their symptom and demographic profiles to assess other factors that significantly affect cervical sensorimotor control.

Abstract Objective Retention is essential in follow-up studies to reduce missing data, which can cause bias and limit the generalizability of the results. We investigated whether pre-notification letters would increase the response rates of approval forms and questionnaires and reduce the need for post-notifications in a prospective follow-up study of 17-year-old adolescents. Study design and settings This long-term follow-up study included 269 adolescents were randomized (1:1) into a pre-notification group (n = 132) and a no pre-notification group (n = 137). The pre-notification letter was sent prior to the approval form and questionnaires. The outcome measures were the response rates to the approval forms and questionnaires and the rate of post-notifications required. Results The adolescents who received the pre-notifications were more likely to return approval forms (n = 88/132, 67%) than the adolescents who did not receive the pre-notifications (n = 79/137, 58%) (OR 1.5, 95% CI 0.9–2.4). The rates of returned questionnaires were higher in the pre-notification group (n = 82/88, 93%) than in the no pre-notification group (n = 68/79, 86%) (OR 2.2, 95% CI 0.8–6.3). The adolescents who did not receive the pre-notifications were more likely to need the post-notifications than the adolescents who received the pre-notifications (OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.4 to 6.5). Conclusions Pre-notifications decreased the need for post-notifications and may increase retention in 17-year-old adolescents. Based on our findings, pre-notification letters are recommended in future follow-up studies in adolescents. Trial registration The Ethics Review Committee of the Hospital District of South-West Finland approved the 17-year PIPARI Study protocol in January 2018 (23.1.2018; 2/180/2012). The study has been registered to the SWAT repository as SWAT 179. Filetoupload,1457904,en.pdf (qub.ac.uk).