Minimal clinically important difference (MCID) attainment, expectation fulfillment, and satisfaction at different time intervals (n = 103).
| Variable | Early RTW (n = 42) | Late RTW (n = 61) | P Value |
| Comparison at 6 months, % | |||
| Attained MCID for NP | 31.0 | 44.3 | 0.173 |
| Attained MCID for AP | 40.5 | 31.1 | 0.329 |
| Attained MCID for JOA | 71.4 | 70.5 | 0.918 |
| Attained MCID for NDI | 50.0 | 68.9 | 0.054 |
| Attained MCID for PCS | 61.9 | 63.9 | 0.834 |
| Expectation fulfilled | 85.7 | 73.8 | 0.146 |
| Satisfied | 88.1 | 83.6 | 0.526 |
| Comparison at 2 years, % | |||
| Attained MCID for NP | 40.5 | 42.6 | 0.828 |
| Attained MCID for AP | 40.5 | 27.9 | 0.181 |
| Attained MCID for JOA | 64.3 | 78.7 | 0.106 |
| Attained MCID for NDI | 54.8 | 72.1 | 0.069 |
| Attained MCID for PCS | 66.7 | 68.9 | 0.815 |
| Expectation fulfilled | 88.1 | 75.4 | 0.110 |
| Satisfied | 85.7 | 77.0 | 0.275 |
JOA, Japanese Orthopaedic Association; MCS, Mental Component Summary; NDI, Neck Disability Index; NPD, neck pain and disability; NS, neurogenic symptoms; PCS, Physical Component Summary; RTW, return to work.