Global research priorities for back pain, neck pain and osteoarthritis: a scoping review

Objectives

The primary aim of this scoping review was to synthesise published research priorities for back pain, neck pain and osteoarthritis. The secondary aim was to compare these research priorities to the priority areas identified in the Global Strategy to Improve Musculoskeletal Health.

Design

Scoping review conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis extension for Scoping Reviews.

Data sources

Literature searches were performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE and the James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership database from inception to March 2025.

Eligibility criteria

Peer-reviewed studies reporting the development of a prioritised ranking of research topics related to back pain, neck pain or osteoarthritis were included.

Data synthesis

Included research priority sets were described. All research priorities for back pain, neck pain and osteoarthritis were presented. Research priorities were categorised according to priority areas identified in the Global Strategy to Improve Musculoskeletal Health.

Results

15 studies from 3721 citations and three from the James Lind Alliance were included. Eight priority sets related to back and/or neck pain identified 155 research priorities. 15 priority sets related to osteoarthritis identified 206 research priorities. Most priority sets (69.6%) included patients in the development process, but only 17.4% included policymakers. Just three priority sets included participants from outside Europe, North America or Australia.

Most priorities were in the clinical and basic science research priority area (73.1%) followed by the health policy and systems research priority area (14.1%), health economics research priority area (4.7%), public health research priority area (4.4%), epidemiological and population health research priority area (1.9%) and the other priority area (1.7%).

Conclusions

The majority of published back pain, neck pain and osteoarthritis research priorities fall within clinical and basic science and were developed in high income countries. Given the known high population burden of musculoskeletal conditions, a broader approach to research beyond clinical and basic science is likely required to achieve population-level health benefits. Future initiatives should include all relevant members of the global musculoskeletal health community, including from low- and middle-income countries, to help ensure the development of broad-based research priorities that address all research domains required to improve back and neck pain and osteoarthritis health globally.