Fejer R, Kyvik KO, Hartvigsen J The prevalence of neck pain in the world population: a systematic critical review of the literature. Eur Spine J. 2006 Jun;15(6):834-48. Epub 2005 Jul 6. Review.
Hoy DG, Protani M, De R, Buchbinder R The epidemiology of neck pain. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2010 Dec;24(6):783-92. doi: 10.1016/j.berh.2011.01.019. Review.
Kachanathu SJ, Alenazi AM, Seif HE, Hafez AR, Alroumim MA Comparison between Kinesio Taping and a Traditional Physical Therapy Program in Treatment of Nonspecific Low Back Pain. J Phys Ther Sci. 2014 Aug;26(8):1185-8. doi: 10.1589/jpts.26.1185. Epub 2014 Aug 30.
Lim EC, Tay MG Kinesio taping in musculoskeletal pain and disability that lasts for more than 4 weeks: is it time to peel off the tape and throw it out with the sweat? A systematic review with meta-analysis focused on pain and also methods of tape application. Br J Sports Med. 2015 Dec;49(24):1558-66. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2014-094151. Epub 2015 Jan 16. Review.
McLean SM, May S, Klaber-Moffett J, Sharp DM, Gardiner E Risk factors for the onset of non-specific neck pain: a systematic review. J Epidemiol Community Health. 2010 Jul;64(7):565-72. doi: 10.1136/jech.2009.090720. Epub 2010 May 12. Review.
Interventional studies are often prospective and are specifically tailored to evaluate direct impacts of treatment or preventive measures on disease.
Observational studies are often retrospective and are used to assess potential causation in exposure-outcome relationships and therefore influence preventive methods.
Expanded access is a means by which manufacturers make investigational new drugs available, under certain circumstances, to treat a patient(s) with a serious disease or condition who cannot participate in a controlled clinical trial.
Clinical trials are conducted in a series of steps, called phases - each phase is designed to answer a separate research question.
Phase 1: Researchers test a new drug or treatment in a small group of people for the first time to evaluate its safety, determine a safe dosage range, and identify side effects.
Phase 2: The drug or treatment is given to a larger group of people to see if it is effective and to further evaluate its safety.
Phase 3: The drug or treatment is given to large groups of people to confirm its effectiveness, monitor side effects, compare it to commonly used treatments, and collect information that will allow the drug or treatment to be used safely.
Phase 4: Studies are done after the drug or treatment has been marketed to gather information on the drug's effect in various populations and any side effects associated with long-term use.
