Are full-face helmets the most effective in preventing head and neck injury in motorcycle accidents? A meta-analysis

Soramon Chaichan; Thatchanon Asawalertsaeng; Pat Veerapongtongchai; Paiboon Chattakul; Sittichai Khamsai; Patnarin Pongkulkiat; Verajit Chotmongkol; Panita Limpawattana; Jarin Chindaprasirt; Vichai Senthong; Chetta Ngamjarus; Yuwares Sittichanbuncha; Amnat Kitkhuandee; Kittisak Sawanyawisuth

Preventive Medicine Reports (Sep 2020)

Are full-face helmets the most effective in preventing head and neck injury in motorcycle accidents? A meta-analysis

Soramon Chaichan,
Thatchanon Asawalertsaeng,
Pat Veerapongtongchai,
Paiboon Chattakul,
Sittichai Khamsai,
Patnarin Pongkulkiat,
Verajit Chotmongkol,
Panita Limpawattana,
Jarin Chindaprasirt,
Vichai Senthong,
Chetta Ngamjarus,
Yuwares Sittichanbuncha,
Amnat Kitkhuandee,
Kittisak Sawanyawisuth

Affiliations

Soramon Chaichan: Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Thatchanon Asawalertsaeng: Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Pat Veerapongtongchai: Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Paiboon Chattakul: Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Sittichai Khamsai: Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Patnarin Pongkulkiat: Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Verajit Chotmongkol: Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Panita Limpawattana: Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Jarin Chindaprasirt: Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Vichai Senthong: Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Chetta Ngamjarus: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Public Health, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Yuwares Sittichanbuncha: Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Amnat Kitkhuandee: Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; Correspondence authors at: Department of Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, 123 Mitraparp Road, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand.
Kittisak Sawanyawisuth: Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; Correspondence authors at: Department of Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, 123 Mitraparp Road, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 19
p. 101118

Abstract

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Motorcycles are the most common type of vehicle involved in traffic deaths in developing countries. Although helmets can provide protection against injury, there is limited evidence available regarding which type of helmet best protects against head and neck injuries in this setting. This review was conducted based on articles in the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. We compared full-face helmets with other types of helmet with regard to head and neck injury prevention in road accidents involving motorcyclists. Of 702 studies, six were eligible with a total of 6,529 participants. When compared with partial and open helmets, the odds ratio of full-face helmets was 0.356 (95% CI of 0.280, 0.453) and 0.636 (95% CI of 0.453, 0.894), respectively, for reduction of head and neck injuries. In conclusion, full-face helmets reduced head and neck injuries in motorcycle accidents to a greater extent than other types of helmet. Policy makers should recommend that motorcyclists use full-face helmets.

Published in Preventive Medicine Reports

ISSN: 2211-3355 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United States
LCC subjects: Medicine
Website: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/preventive-medicine-reports/

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