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

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

doi:10.1016/j.pmedr.2020.101118

Soramon Chaichan, Yuwares Sittichanbuncha + Show 12 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2020.101118

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Abstract

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.

Highlights

Motorcycles are the most common type of vehicle involved in traffic deaths in developing countries (Erenler and Gümüş, 2019)
The WHO reported that road traffic deaths were highest in Africa and South-East Asia in 2016, with rates of 26.6 and 20.7/100,000 people, respectively (Global status report on road safety, 2018)
A study from Korea found that only full face and open face helmets significantly reduced head injuries in motorcycle accidents with a coefficient of −0.368 (p < 0.001) and −0.235 (p 0.040), respectively (Sung et al, 2016)

Summary

Introduction

Motorcycles are the most common type of vehicle involved in traffic deaths in developing countries (Erenler and Gümüş, 2019). A Cochrane review published in 2008 found that there were insufficient data to conclude which helmet type was most effective in reducing the risk of injury. This is because the five studies included in the meta-analysis did not show significant differences in terms of head or cervical injuries between full-face and open-faced helmets, with odds ratios ranging between 0.76 and 1.13 (Liu et al, 2008). This study, aimed to determine the most effective helmet type in preventing head and cervical injuries in motorcycle accidents These data may be useful in shaping future helmet laws

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