Support collars: a preliminary survey of their benefits and problems

Abstract

Many support collars are prescribed despite the lack of controlled evidence as to their benefits, or the problems they may produce. We report a preliminary survey of 50 rheumatology, medical and ear, nose and throat outpatients prescribed a support collar during a two-month period. Of these, 27 (54%) completed a structured telephone interview two to four months later. Instructions received by patients about collar use varied widely, including advice to wear it continuously, intermittently, or only by day or night. Of the patients, 21 out of 26 (81 %) reported at least moderate relief of pain; four out of 14 (24%) reduction in paraesthesia; and five out of nine (57%) lessening of dizziness. Eighteen (67%) said that the collar caused significant discomfort, 14 (25%) had difficulty keeping their collar clean, and seven (26%) were unable to fit the collar themselves. Despite these problems compliance was good, with only three patients (11 %) of those interviewed abandoning their collar because of lack of benefit. We believe this small survey to be important as a stimulus to further work in this little-studied area.