The Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire and the Oswestry Disability Questionnaire

Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Pregnancy Mobility Index for the Italian Population: A Cross-Sectional Study

INTRODUCTION

Pregnancy is a specific condition that modifies the mobility of women. In this population, it seems important to use specific tools to properly assess them. The Pregnancy Mobility Index (PMI) was created in 2006 with the aim of assessing mobility in pregnant women. The goal of this study was to translate, adapt, and evaluate the statistical properties of the questionnaire in the Italian pregnant population.

METHODS

The PMI underwent translation and transcultural adaptation. Reliability and concurrent validity, compared to the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), was investigated on a sample of pregnant women. An ANOVA was performed to detect differences in the PMI score considering the Body Mass Index (BMI) and age of the sample.

RESULTS

The PMI was forward translated, back translated, and transculturally adapted. A consensus meeting accepted the final version of the questionnaire. The PMI was given to 93 pregnant women. PMI showed excellent reliability for every item and the total score (Cronbach's alpha of 0.945). Concurrent validity compared with ODI items 2-9 was strong considering the total score, with r = 0.726, but moderate comparing the first item of the ODI and the total score of the PMI, r = 470, and considering the total score of both questionnaires (r = 0.683). The ANOVA showed statistical difference in pregnant women with lower BMI for every subscale and total score of PMI (p = 0.009) and for outdoor mobility considering age (p = 0.019).

CONCLUSIONS

The PMI seems to be a valid and reliable tool to assess mobility in the pregnant population. Pregnant women with a lower BMI showed a greater mobility score in the PMI. In turn, younger pregnant women presented a lower mobility score compared to older pregnant women.

Effectiveness of Dry Needling and Ischemic Trigger Point Compression in the Gluteus Medius in Patients with Non-Specific Low Back Pain: A Randomized Short-Term Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND

The presence of latent myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) in the gluteus medius is one of the possible causes of non-specific low back pain. Dry needling (DN) and ischemic compression (IC) techniques may be useful for the treatment of these MTrPs.

METHODS

For this study, 80 participants were randomly divided into two groups: the dry needling group, who received a single session of DN to the gluteus medius muscle plus hyperalgesia (n = 40), and the IC group, who received a single session of IC to the gluteus medius muscle plus hyperalgesia (n = 40). Pain intensity, the pressure pain threshold (PPT), range of motion (ROM), and quality of life were assessed at baseline, immediately after treatment, after 48 h, and one week after treatment.

RESULTS

Statistically significant differences were shown between the two groups immediately after the intervention, showing a decrease in PPT (p < 0.05) in the DN group and an increase in PPT in the IC group. These values increased more and were better maintained at 48 h and after one week of treatment in the DN group than in the IC group. Quality of life improved in both groups, with greater improvement in the DN group than in the IC group.

CONCLUSIONS

IC could be more advisable than DN with respect to UDP and pain intensity in the most hyperalgesic latent MTrPs of the gluteus medius muscle in subjects with non-specific low back pain, immediately after treatment. DN may be more effective than IC in terms of PPT, pain intensity, and quality of life in treating latent plus hyperalgesic gluteus medius muscle MTrPs in subjects with non-specific low back pain after 48 h and after one week of treatment.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Acupuncture in Chronic Low Back Pain: Protocol for Two Linked Randomized Controlled Trials

BACKGROUND

Nonpharmacologic mind-body therapies have demonstrated efficacy in low back pain. However, the mechanisms underlying these therapies remain to be fully elucidated.

OBJECTIVE

In response to these knowledge gaps, the Stanford Center for Low Back Pain-a collaborative, National Institutes of Health P01-funded, multidisciplinary research center-was established to investigate the common and distinct biobehavioral mechanisms of three mind-body therapies for chronic low back pain: cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that is used to treat pain, mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), and electroacupuncture. Here, we describe the design and implementation of the center structure and the associated randomized controlled trials for characterizing the mechanisms of chronic low back pain treatments.

METHODS

The multidisciplinary center is running two randomized controlled trials that share common resources for recruitment, enrollment, study execution, and data acquisition. We expect to recruit over 300 chronic low back pain participants across two projects and across different treatment arms within each project. The first project will examine pain-CBT compared with MBSR and a wait-list control group. The second project will examine real versus sham electroacupuncture. We will use behavioral, psychophysical, physical measure, and neuroimaging techniques to characterize the central pain modulatory and emotion regulatory systems in chronic low back pain at baseline and longitudinally. We will characterize how these interventions impact these systems, characterize the longitudinal treatment effects, and identify predictors of treatment efficacy.

RESULTS

Participant recruitment began on March 17, 2015, and will end in March 2023. Recruitment was halted in March 2020 due to COVID-19 and resumed in December 2021.

CONCLUSIONS

This center uses a comprehensive approach to study chronic low back pain. Findings are expected to significantly advance our understanding in (1) the baseline and longitudinal mechanisms of chronic low back pain, (2) the common and distinctive mechanisms of three mind-body therapies, and (3) predictors of treatment response, thereby informing future delivery of nonpharmacologic chronic low back pain treatments.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02503475; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02503475.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

PRR1-10.2196/37823.

A comprehensive diagnostic service to clarify intervention needs when work participation is at risk: study protocol of a randomized controlled trial (GIBI, DRKS00027577)

Background

Effective care services for people whose work participation is at risk require low-threshold access, a comprehensive diagnostic clarification of intervention needs, a connection to the workplace and job demands, and interdisciplinary collaboration between key stakeholders at the interface of rehabilitation and occupational medicine. We have developed a comprehensive diagnostic service to clarify intervention needs for employees with health restrictions and limited work ability: this service is initiated by occupational health physicians.

Methods/design

Our randomized controlled trial tests the effectiveness of a comprehensive diagnostic service for clarifying intervention needs (GIBI: Comprehensive clarification of the need for intervention for people whose work participation is at risk). The comprehensive intervention comprises three elements: initial consultation, two-day diagnostics at a rehabilitation center and follow-up consultations. We will include 210 employees with health restrictions and limited work ability, who are identified by occupational health physicians. All individuals will receive an initial consultation with their occupational health physician to discuss their health, work ability and job demands. After this, half the individuals are randomly assigned to the intervention group and the other half to the waiting-list control group. Individuals in the intervention group start two-day diagnostics, carried out by a multi-professional rehabilitation team in a rehabilitation center, shortly after the initial consultation. The diagnostics will allow first recommendations for improving work participation. The implementation of these recommendations is supported by an occupational health physician in four follow-up consultations. The control group will receive the comprehensive two-day diagnostic service and subsequent follow-up consultations six months after the initial consultation. The primary outcome of the randomized controlled trial is self-rated work ability assessed using the Work Ability Score (0 to 10 points) six months after study inclusion. Secondary outcomes include a range of patient-reported outcomes regarding physical and mental health, impairment, and the physical and mental demands of jobs.

Discussion

This randomized controlled trial is designed to test the effects of a new complex intervention involving a comprehensive clarification of intervention needs in order to promote work participation and prevent the worsening of health and work disability.

Trial registration

German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00027577, February 01, 2022).

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-022-08513-1.

Patient-Centered Pain Care Using Artificial Intelligence and Mobile Health Tools: A Randomized Comparative Effectiveness Trial

Importance

Cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic pain (CBT-CP) is a safe and effective alternative to opioid analgesics. Because CBT-CP requires multiple sessions and therapists are scarce, many patients have limited access or fail to complete treatment.

Objectives

To determine if a CBT-CP program that personalizes patient treatment using reinforcement learning, a field of artificial intelligence (AI), and interactive voice response (IVR) calls is noninferior to standard telephone CBT-CP and saves therapist time.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This was a randomized noninferiority, comparative effectiveness trial including 278 patients with chronic back pain from the Department of Veterans Affairs health system (recruitment and data collection from July 11, 2017-April 9, 2020). More patients were randomized to the AI-CBT-CP group than to the control (1.4:1) to maximize the system's ability to learn from patient interactions.

Interventions

All patients received 10 weeks of CBT-CP. For the AI-CBT-CP group, patient feedback via daily IVR calls was used by the AI engine to make weekly recommendations for either a 45-minute or 15-minute therapist-delivered telephone session or an individualized IVR-delivered therapist message. Patients in the comparison group were offered 10 therapist-delivered telephone CBT-CP sessions (45 minutes/session).

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ; range 0-24), measured at 3 months (primary end point) and 6 months. Secondary outcomes included pain intensity and pain interference. Consensus guidelines were used to identify clinically meaningful improvements for responder analyses (eg, a 30% improvement in RMDQ scores and pain intensity). Data analyses were performed from April 2021 to May 2022.

Results

The study population included 278 patients (mean [SD] age, 63.9 [12.2] years; 248 [89.2%] men; 225 [81.8%] White individuals). The 3-month mean RMDQ score difference between AI-CBT-CP and standard CBT-CP was -0.72 points (95% CI, -2.06 to 0.62) and the 6-month difference was -1.24 (95% CI, -2.48 to 0); noninferiority criterion were met at both the 3- and 6-month end points (P < .001 for both). A greater proportion of patients receiving AI-CBT-CP had clinically meaningful improvements at 6 months as indicated by RMDQ (37% vs 19%; P = .01) and pain intensity scores (29% vs 17%; P = .03). There were no significant differences in secondary outcomes. Pain therapy using AI-CBT-CP required less than half of the therapist time as standard CBT-CP.

Conclusions and Relevance

The findings of this randomized comparative effectiveness trial indicated that AI-CBT-CP was noninferior to therapist-delivered telephone CBT-CP and required substantially less therapist time. Interventions like AI-CBT-CP could allow many more patients to be served effectively by CBT-CP programs using the same number of therapists.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02464449.

Abdomino-anal Dyscoordination in Defecatory Disorders

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The contribution of the abdominal muscles to normal defecation and disturbances thereof in defecatory disorders (DDs) are unknown.

METHODS

In 30 healthy and 60 constipated women with normal rectal balloon expulsion time (BET) (n = 26) or prolonged BET (ie, DD; n = 34), seated anorectal pressures (manometry) and thickness (ultrasound) of the external and internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles were measured simultaneously at rest, during hollowing, squeeze, evacuation, and a Valsalva maneuver.

RESULTS

Compared with healthy women with a normal BET, DD women had a lower rectal and greater anal pressure increase during evacuation (P ≤ .05), and more activation of the internal oblique and the transversus abdominis muscles during squeeze (P < .05). The change in transversus abdominis thickness during a Valsalva maneuver vs hollowing (rho = 0.5; P = .002) and separately vs evacuation (rho = 0.7; P < .0001) were correlated in DD but not in healthy women with a normal BET. A principal component (PC) analysis of anorectal pressures and muscle thicknesses during evacuation uncovered a PC (PC3) that was associated with a prolonged BET. Higher PC3 scores were associated with low rectal and high anal pressures at rest and during evacuation, thinner external oblique muscle, and thicker internal oblique muscle during evacuation. A greater PC3 score was associated with increased odds for DD vs health (odds ratio, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.05-3.23), and separately vs constipation with a normal BET (odds ratio, 3.64; 95% CI, 1.73-7.69).

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, these findings show 3, possibly inter-related, disturbances suggestive of dyscoordination in DD: aberrant activation of abdominal muscles during squeeze in DD, dyscoordination of the abdominal muscles during various tasks in constipated women, and abdomino-anal dyscoordination.

Postural sway does not differentiate individuals with chronic low back pain, single and multisite chronic musculoskeletal pain, or pain-free controls: a cross-sectional study of 229 subjects

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

Physical activity in its various forms are the most recommended prevention and treatment strategy for chronic low back pain (CLBP). Standing postural stability is a prerequisite for many types of physical activities. Systematic reviews have investigated the evidence for an association between CLBP and postural stability but results remain inconclusive.

PURPOSE

Our primary objective was to compare postural stability between pain-free controls and subjects with CLBP with or without leg pain and single and multisite chronic musculoskeletal pain subjects. The secondary objectives were to evaluate the association between postural stability with CLBP intensity and duration, demographics, physical characteristics and validated health and pain-related patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs).

STUDY DESIGN/SETTING

Cross-sectional study in a private chiropractic clinic setting PATIENT SAMPLE: Subjects included 42 pain-free controls and 187 patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain divided into CLBP with or without leg pain and single and multisite pain groups.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Pain intensity was measured using the numerical pain rating scale, PROMs Central Sensitization Inventory, Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia, The Depression Scale, EuroQol-5D, Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire, and Pain and Sleep Questionnaire Three-Item Index disability. Group differences were measured using area and velocity of sway on the force plate.

METHODS

Postural stability was assessed using a force plate on four 60-second bipedal quiet stance tests: eyes open on a stable surface, eyes closed on a stable surface, eyes open on an unstable foam surface, eyes closed on an unstable foam surface. Following the clinic visit, subjects completed an online web-based data entry detailing pain history, demographic data, physical characteristics, pain intensity via the numerical pain rating scale, and PROMS.

RESULTS

Postural sway parameters did not differ between pain-free controls and subjects with CLBP with or without leg pain and single and multisite chronic musculoskeletal pain subjects. Furthermore, severity and duration of CLBP pain in addition to central sensitization, kinesiophobia, depression, quality of life, disability, and effect of pain on sleep only had very weak associations with postural stability.

CONCLUSIONS

Chronic musculoskeletal pain appears not to influence bipedal postural stability.

Step Count in Patients With Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: Accuracy During Walking and Nonwalking Activities

STUDY DESIGN

This is a method development and validation study.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to develop and test a method for step detection using accelerometer data in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). There are 2 objectives: (1) to describe a method for step detection from accelerations measured at the wrist, hip, lower back, thigh and ankle; (2) to assess the accuracy of the method during walking with and without walking aids and during nonwalking activities.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Loss of walking ability is one of the main symptoms of LSS, and there is no validated measure to assess walking activity in daily living in patients with LSS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty patients with LSS performed a standardized movement protocol that included walking with and without walking aids and performing nonwalking activities while wearing accelerometers on five different wear-sites. After the walking tests, a method was designed for optimal step detection and compared with a gold standard of observed step count.

RESULTS

The method for step detection applied to accelerations from the lower back, hip, thigh, and ankle provided an accurate step counts during continuous walking without walking aids. Accuracy diminished at all wear-sites when walking with walking aids, except the ankle. The wrist provided the most inaccurate step count, and the accelerometers on the thigh and ankle were prone to falsely detecting steps during bicycling.

CONCLUSION

The ankle-worn accelerometer provided the most accurate step count, but wrongly registered steps during nonwalking activities. The developed step detection method shows potential as a measure of walking activity why further development and testing under free-living conditions should be performed.

Comparative Effectiveness of Sacroiliac Belt versus Lumbar Orthosis Utilization on Nonspecific Low Back Pain: a Crossover Randomized Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND

Back braces are commonly utilized in the management of low back pain (LBP).

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to evaluate (1) user satisfaction with a sacroiliac belt versus a lumbar orthosis and (2) the effect of a sacroiliac belt versus a lumbar orthosis on pain, functional disability status, and analgesic use for subjects with subacute or chronic non-specific LBP.

METHODS

This is a prospective randomized crossover study. For the two-week study period, control group subjects wore the Horizon 627 Lumbar Brace ("lumbar orthosis") during the first week and the Serola Sacroiliac Belt ("sacroiliac belt") during the second week; experimental group subjects wore the sacroiliac belt during the first week and the lumbar orthosis during the second week. User satisfaction (Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology 2.0 [QUEST 2.0] score), functional disability status (Oswestry Disability Index [ODI]), pain, and analgesic use were recorded.

RESULTS

Overall, the sacroiliac belt demonstrated significantly higher user satisfaction than the Horizon brace (QUEST Score = 20.31 vs. 16.17, p = 0.0375) for the entire study period. Significant negative correlations were identified between user satisfaction and functional disability (t = -4.71, p < 0.0001), pain magnitude (t = -6.81, p < 0.0001) as well as pain frequency (t = -6.66, p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

In this prospective randomized crossover study, subject satisfaction was associated with improvements in functional disability, pain magnitude and pain frequency. The sacroiliac belt demonstrated significantly higher user satisfaction and similar effectiveness compared to the lumbar orthosis.

Criteria for determining if a treatment for pain works

Claims that a treatment works are hollow unless qualified in terms of: in what respects, by how much, how often, and for how long. Essential co-requisites for improvements in pain are improvements in function, psychological distress, and use of health care. Validated instruments are available for these outcome measures. Mean scores and p-values are not informative. Categorical data are required to reveal by how much a treatment works and how often. In order to provide a full picture, outcomes need to be followed until they plateau. Readers of studies should not rely on what authors claim. Instead, readers should demand comprehensive, transparent data on outcomes so that they can decide for themselves if a treatment works to their satisfaction.

Psychological therapies for temporomandibular disorders (TMDs)

BACKGROUND

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are a group of musculoskeletal disorders affecting the jaw. They are frequently associated with pain that can be difficult to manage and may become persistent (chronic). Psychological therapies aim to support people with TMDs to manage their pain, leading to reduced pain, disability and distress.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects of psychological therapies in people (aged 12 years and over) with painful TMD lasting 3 months or longer.

SEARCH METHODS

Cochrane Oral Health's Information Specialist searched six bibliographic databases up to 21 October 2021 and used additional search methods to identify published, unpublished and ongoing studies.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of any psychological therapy (e.g. cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), behaviour therapy (BT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), mindfulness) for the management of painful TMD. We compared these against control or alternative treatment (e.g. oral appliance, medication, physiotherapy).

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We used standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane. We reported outcome data immediately after treatment and at the longest available follow-up. We used the Cochrane RoB 1 tool to assess the risk of bias in included studies. Two review authors independently assessed each included study for any risk of bias in sequence generation, allocation concealment, blinding of outcome assessors, incomplete outcome data, selective reporting of outcomes, and other issues. We judged the certainty of the evidence for each key comparison and outcome as high, moderate, low or very low according to GRADE criteria.

MAIN RESULTS

We identified 22 RCTs (2001 participants), carried out between 1967 and 2021. We were able to include 12 of these studies in meta-analyses. The risk of bias was high across studies, and we judged the certainty of the evidence to be low to very low overall; further research may change the findings. Our key outcomes of interest were: pain intensity, disability caused by pain, adverse events and psychological distress. Treatments varied in length, with the shortest being 4 weeks. The follow-up time ranged from 3 months to 12 months. Most studies evaluated CBT.   At treatment completion, there was no evidence of a benefit of CBT on pain intensity when measured against alternative treatment (standardised mean difference (SMD) 0.03, confidence interval (CI) -0.21 to 0.28; P = 0.79; 5 studies, 509 participants) or control (SMD -0.09, CI -0.30 to 0.12; P = 0.41; 6 studies, 577 participants). At follow-up, there was evidence of a small benefit of CBT for reducing pain intensity compared to alternative treatment (SMD -0.29, 95% CI -0.50 to -0.08; 5 studies, 475 participants) and control (SMD -0.30, CI -0.51 to -0.09; 6 studies, 639 participants). At treatment completion, there was no evidence of a difference in disability outcomes (interference in activities caused by pain) between CBT and alternative treatment (SMD 0.15, CI -0.40 to 0.10; P = 0.25; 3 studies, 245 participants), or between CBT and control/usual care (SMD 0.02, CI -0.21 to 0.24; P = 0.88; 3 studies, 315 participants). Nor was there evidence of a difference at follow-up (CBT versus alternative treatment: SMD -0.15, CI -0.42 to 0.12; 3 studies, 245 participants; CBT versus control: SMD 0.01 CI - 0.61 to 0.64; 2 studies, 240 participants). There were very few data on adverse events. From the data available, adverse effects associated with psychological treatment tended to be minor and to occur less often than in alternative treatment groups. There were, however, insufficient data available to draw firm conclusions. CBT showed a small benefit in terms of reducing psychological distress at treatment completion compared to alternative treatment (SMD -0.32, 95% CI -0.50 to -0.15; 6 studies, 553 participants), which was maintained at follow-up (SMD -0.32, 95% CI -0.51 to -0.13; 6 studies, 516 participants). For CBT versus control, only one study reported results for distress and did not find evidence of a difference between groups at treatment completion (mean difference (MD) 2.36, 95% CI -1.17 to 5.89; 101 participants) or follow-up (MD -1.02, 95% CI -4.02 to 1.98; 101 participants). We assessed the certainty of the evidence to be low or very low for all comparisons and outcomes. The data were insufficient to draw any reliable conclusions about psychological therapies other than CBT.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

We found mixed evidence for the effects of psychological therapies on painful temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). There is low-certainty evidence that CBT may reduce pain intensity more than alternative treatments or control when measured at longest follow-up,  but not at treatment completion. There is low-certainty evidence that CBT may be better than alternative treatments, but not control, for reducing psychological distress at treatment completion and follow-up. There is low-certainty evidence that CBT may not be better than other treatments or control for pain disability outcomes.  There is insufficient evidence to draw conclusions about alternative psychological therapeutic approaches, and there are insufficient data to be clear about adverse effects that may be associated with psychological therapies for painful TMD.  Overall, we found insufficient evidence on which to base a reliable judgement about the efficacy of psychological therapies for painful TMD. Further research is needed to determine whether or not psychological therapies are effective, the most effective type of therapy and delivery method, and how it can best be targeted. In particular, high-quality RCTs conducted in primary care and community settings are required, which evaluate a range of psychological approaches against alternative treatments or usual care, involve both adults and adolescents, and collect measures of pain intensity, pain disability and psychological distress until at least 12 months post-treatment.

Prevalence and extent of low back pain and low back-related disability in non-care-seeking working-age adults

OBJECTIVE

To explore the prevalence and extent of low back pain (LBP) and low back-related disability in working-age adults not seeking care.

METHODS

A convenience sample of 101 working-age adults not seeking care for LBP completed the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) as measures of disability and completed questionnaires that collected information on various demographic and health-related variables. Those reporting current LBP also completed a Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS). Prevalence was assessed based on a dichotomization of whether any disability or pain was reported and also as a continuous variable to assess the extent of pain and disability present for each participant.

RESULTS

Of the 101 participants, 72.3% reported some level of disability (ODI mean = 7.91%, RMDQ mean = 2.63) and 46.5% reported some level of pain (NRPS mean = 3.68). Previous care-seeking for LBP was associated with increased odds of reporting disability (ODI odds ratio [OR] 7.91, 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.43 to 31.18; RMDQ OR 2.69, 95% CI, 1.05 to 7.24), as was reporting any current LBP (ODI OR 9.45, 95% CI, 3.15 to 33.21; RMDQ OR 7.03, 95% CI, 2.82 to 18.89). No other demographic or health-related variables were associated with the presence or extent of pain or disability.

CONCLUSION

Many non-care-seeking individuals reported some level of LBP and/or disability, suggesting that some level of pain and disability may be considered normal, acceptable, or manageable. One-third of individuals with no pain reported some disability.

Kinesiophobia and associated factors among patients with chronic non-specific low back pain

PURPOSE

This study determined the association between kinesiophobia and age, body mass index, highest educational status, self-efficacy, pain intensity, and disability in chronic non-specific low back pain (CNSLBP) patients. Predictors of kinesiophobia were also assessed.

METHODS

This cross-sectional design utilised 224 CNSLBP patients in tertiary hospitals in Nigeria. The Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia, Oswestry Disability Index, Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire, and Numerical Pain Rating Scale were used to assess kinesiophobia, disability, self-efficacy, and pain intensity respectively. Spearman's correlation and multiple regression analysis determined the association between the variables of interest and the predictors of kinesiophobia, respectively.

RESULTS

Most of the participants reported a high level of kinesiophobia (92%), low level of self-efficacy (68.8%), moderate pain intensity (58.0%), and moderate disability (57.1%). A significant positive weak correlation was observed between kinesiophobia and pain intensity (r = 0.138, p = 0.040). Gender, self-efficacy, pain intensity, and disability significantly predicted the extent of kinesiophobia (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The increased levels of kinesiophobia are a cause for concern and highlight the need for kinesiophobia and related factors to be closely monitored and incorporated into preventive and curative rehabilitation programmes for CNSLBP patients to minimise the negative impact on rehabilitation outcomes.Implications for RehabilitationPatients with chronic non-specific low back pain (CNSLBP) have high levels of kinesiophobia, which could predispose them to avoidance behaviours, physical inactivity, and deterioration of health, all of which, if not addressed, may result in poor rehabilitation outcomes, setting off a viscious cycle.Regular kinesiophobia assessments could indicate areas of rehabilitation concern, allowing health care providers to better target rehabilitation programs and improve rehabilitation outcomes.Pain severity, self-efficacy, and disability should be frequently assessed and included when planning rehabilitation programs, to reduce the detrimental impact on kinesiophobia.In patients with CNSLBP, graded exposure therapy to movement is necessary to prevent and reduce kinesiophobia, thereby increasing compliance during rehabilitation programs.

A mobile health + health coaching application for the management of chronic non-cancer pain in older adults: Results from a pilot randomized controlled study

Introduction

The rapid growth of mobile health (mHealth) devices holds substantial potential for improving care and care outcomes in aging adults with chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP), however, research evaluating these devices in older adults remains limited.

Objective

To ascertain the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of an mHealth intervention (Mymee) that combines symptom, diet, and behavior tracking via a smartphone application with data analytics to detect associations between symptoms and lifestyle factors along with weekly health coaching sessions to mitigate CNCP in adults 55 years of age and older.

Methods

Participants (N = 31) in this pilot study were recruited from one primary care practice in New York City and randomized to an intervention [app + up to 12 health coaching sessions (scheduled approximately once weekly) + usual care] or a control (app + usual care) arm. Feasibility measures included recruitment (proportion of eligible persons who enrolled) and retention rates (proportion of subjects completing a follow-up assessment) as well as adherence with the weekly coaching sessions and logging daily data on the app. Efficacy outcomes (e.g., pain intensity, self-efficacy, disability, anxiety) were assessed at baseline and follow-up (~16 weeks after baseline). Descriptive statistics were obtained and general linear mixed models used for primary analyses.

Results

Participants had a mean (standard deviation) age of 67.32 (9.17) and were mostly female (61%). Feasibility outcomes were mixed as evidenced by recruitment and retention rates of 74% and 65%, respectively. The mean number of weekly coaching sessions attended by intervention participants was 6.05 (SD = 5.35), while the average number of days logging data on the app was 44.82 (34.02). We found a consistent trend in favor of the intervention, where pain intensity, affect, and quality of life measures improved considerably more among intervention (vs. control) participants. Finally, the proportion of participants with GAD-7 scores at follow up decreased by 0.35 to 0, whereas controls did not change, a significant effect in favor of the intervention (p = 0.02).

Conclusions

This study supports the need for future research that seeks to enhance feasibility outcomes and confirm the efficacy of the Mymee intervention among aging adults with CNCP.

Effect of Motor Control Training on Trunk Muscle Morphometry, Pain, and Disability in People With Chronic Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to study the effects of motor control training (MCT) on trunk muscle morphometry measured by ultrasound imaging and pain and disability in individuals with chronic low back pain.

METHODS

PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases were searched from study inception until January 2021. Randomized control trials evaluating both muscle morphometry and pain or disability in individuals with chronic low back pain were included. Study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment were performed by 2 reviewers independently. Modified Downs and Black tool and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach were used to assess the risk of bias and quality of evidence, respectively. A meta-analysis was performed using a random effects model with mean difference or standardized mean difference (SMD).

RESULTS

Of 3459 studies initially identified, 15 studies were included, and 13 studies were selected for meta-analysis. The results revealed no differences in the resting thickness of the transversus abdominis, internal and external oblique, and lumbar multifidus muscles in studies that compared MCT with other interventions. The transversus abdominis muscles contraction ratio was greater (SMD = 0.93; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.0 to 1.85) and lower pain (weighted mean difference: -1.07 cm; 95% CI, -1.91 to -0.22 cm; P = .01) and disability (SMD = -0.86; 95% CI, -1.42 to -0. 29; P < .01) scores were found in the groups who underwent MCT compared with other interventions.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review and meta-analysis found that motor control exercise training increased the transverse abdominis contraction ratio (muscle activation) and improved the level of pain and disability compared to other interventions in people with chronic low back pain. However, motor control exercise training was not superior to other interventions in increasing the resting thickness of deep abdominal and lumbar multifidus muscles in intervention times less than 12 weeks.

The Efficacy of Lumbar Support on Pain, Disability, and Motor Control in Women With Postpartum Pelvic Girdle Pain: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Pregnancy-related posterior pelvic girdle pain (PPGP) is one of the most important clinical manifestations of postpartum back pain. Those affected often complain of discomfort during daily activities. It is hypothesized that altered motor control is associated with perceived pain. Pelvic support can regulate possible underlying altered motor control mechanisms and decrease pain. However, the influence of a lumbosacral orthosis, which is broader support that allows for a wider contact area and more skin sensory stimulation to restore proper motor function, has not yet been investigated in women with postpartum PPGP.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigates the efficacy of broader lumbar support and narrower pelvic support on pain, proprioception, disability, and muscle strength in women with pregnancy-related PPGP.

METHODS

This study will be a single-center, 3-armed, participant-blinded, randomized controlled trial. In total, 84 women diagnosed with pregnancy-related PPGP will be recruited and randomly assigned into 3 groups. Intervention groups A and B will receive pelvic and lumbar supports, respectively. Group C (control) will receive only a patient education leaflet containing advice on strengthening exercises, comfortable positions, and other practical information. The study outcomes are pain, effort score during the active straight leg raising test, maximum isometric hip flexion force, maximum isometric hip external rotation force, maximum isometric trunk rotation force, and joint position reproduction of hip abduction. The study outcomes will be measured at 4 time points: baseline (T1), immediately after the intervention (T2), 4 weeks following interventions began (at this time, the intervention period is completed) (T3), and 1 week after discontinuing the interventions (T4) to evaluate the possible lasting effects of wearing supports. Multivariate analysis of variance will be used to test between- and within-group differences.

RESULTS

Recruitment for this study will be started in summer 2022 and is expected to be completed by the end of fall 2022.

CONCLUSIONS

This study will examine the efficacy of broader lumbar support as an early rehabilitative treatment for women receiving postpartum posterior pelvic pain support compared to those receiving a narrower pelvic support. We expect the broader lumbar support to impact pain management and disability better than the current narrower pelvic belt. Long-term follow-up studies will help determine whether such lumbosacral orthosis reduces pain and improves daily activities in women with pregnancy-related PPGP.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials IRCT20150210021034N11; https://www.irct.ir/trial/54808.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

PRR1-10.2196/40553.

Validation of the international classification of functioning, disability, and health (ICF) core sets for musculoskeletal conditions in a primary health care setting from physiotherapists' perspective using the Delphi method

PURPOSE

To analyze the possibilities of using ICF core sets for musculoskeletal conditions in primary care physiotherapy units of the Health Service of "Castilla y León" (Spain).

METHODS

A three-round Delphi study was conducted by physiotherapists working in a primary care setting. The data obtained were linked to second-level ICF categories and their relevance was assessed by the participants. The most relevant categories were compared with those present in the existing ICF core sets for musculoskeletal conditions.

RESULTS

Eighty-four physiotherapists participated in the survey. The consensus was reached for 45 ICF categories and 5 personal factors after the survey. Thirty-five of these categories were present in the Comprehensive Core Set for post-acute Musculoskeletal Conditions. In addition, 35 categories present in the core set were not considered relevant from the participants' perspective.

CONCLUSIONS

Physiotherapists mainly considered movement-related categories as relevant. The ICF core set for post-acute musculoskeletal conditions comprises many of these categories and can therefore be taken as a basis for the adoption of ICF in the clinical context.

RELEVANCE

Primary care physiotherapists should be aware of the advantages of using ICF in their clinical settings.Implications for RehabilitationThis study shows which body functions and structures, activities and participation, environmental factors, and personal characteristics are relevant from primary care physiotherapists' perspective assessing persons with musculoskeletal conditions.The Comprehensive ICF Core Set for Subacute Musculoskeletal Conditions includes most of the categories identified in this study, but they need to be refined to fully represent the primary care physiotherapists' perspective.The results of this study support the use of the Comprehensive ICF Core Set for Subacute Musculoskeletal Conditions as a basis for operationalizing ICF in this clinical setting.

Roland-Morris disability questionnaire is bidimensional and has 16 items when applied to community-dwelling older adults with low back pain

PURPOSE

To explore the evidence of the internal structure validity of the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire in older adults with low back pain.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study of psychometric testing involving 528 older adults with low back pain. Internal structure validity was explored by exploratory factor analysis and semi-confirmatory factor analysis. Reliability was verified using Kuder-Richardson Formula 20, Cronbach's alpha, and McDonald's omega. Replicability was observed by the generalized H index.

RESULTS

Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire displayed two factors that assess "functional capacity" and "mobility". Eight items were excluded for presenting cross-loading (2 and 10), inadequate loading factors and communalities (18, 24, 13, and 12), or did not relate to the latent construct (15 and 22). Semi-confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the questionnaire had a good fitness model [X² = 153.698 (p = 0.00001); RMSEA = 0.037; RMSR = 0.06; WRMR = 0.04; NNFI = 0.987; GFI = 0.979; AGFI = 0.971]. Reliability was acceptable (KR-20 = 0.79; Cronbach's alpha = 0.86; McDonald's Omega = 0.85), but replicability was poor in both factors (G-H factor 1 = 0.816-0.655; G-H factor 2 = 0.889-0.775).

CONCLUSIONS

The most appropriate version of the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire to apply to older adults with low back pain has 16 items and assesses functional capacity and mobility. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONThe RMDQ-16 is the most appropriate version of the RMDQ to use in older adults with LBP;The RMDQ-16 is bidimensional and assesses "functional capacity" and "mobility";The poor replicability of the RMDQ-16 indicates that it will probably not be stable across studies, but it can be useful in a clinical setting.

Suggestions in Hypnosis to Aid Pain Education (SHAPE) in People with Chronic Low-Back Pain: A Pilot Feasibility Randomized, Controlled Trial

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a debilitating and burdensome condition, and new treatment strategies are needed. This study aimed to evaluate (1) the feasibility of undertaking a controlled clinical trial investigating a novel intervention for people with CLBP: hypnotically reinforced pain science education, and (2) the acceptability of the intervention as rated by participants. A priori feasibility and intervention acceptability criteria were set. Twenty participants with CLBP were recruited and randomized to receive: (1) hypnotically delivered pain science education that utilizes hypnotic suggestions to enhance uptake of pain science concepts; or (2) pain science education with progressive muscle relaxation as an attention control. Twenty participants were recruited, however, not solely from the hospital waitlist as intended; community sampling was required (13 hospital, 7 community). Most criteria were met in the community sample but not the hospital sample. Protocol modifications are needed before progressing to a full scale randomized controlled trial for hypnotically reinforced pain science education. Improvements in relevant secondary outcomes paired with moderate-high treatment acceptability ratings are promising.

Do Physical Therapy and Yoga Improve Pain and Disability through Psychological Mechanisms? A Causal Mediation Analysis of Adults with Chronic Low Back Pain

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether indirect effects via psychological mechanisms explain the effects of physical therapy (PT) or yoga versus education on back-related outcomes.

DESIGN

Mediation analyses using data from a randomized controlled trial of PT, yoga, and education interventions for chronic low back pain.

METHODS

Primary outcomes were changes in back-related pain on the 11-point numeric rating scale and disability on the modified 23-point Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire, measured at 52 weeks after randomization. Hypothesized mediators were 12-week changes in pain self-efficacy, fear-avoidance beliefs, depression, anxiety, perceived stress, and sleep quality. We used causal mediation analysis to estimate the total effect, direct effect, indirect effect, and proportion mediated.

RESULTS

We analyzed data from 230 adults (mean age = 46.2 years, 69.6% female, 79.6% non-White). In the PT-versus-education model, when the mediator was perceived stress, the total effect on disability was 2.6 points (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.3, 4.9) and decomposed into a direct effect of 1.7 points (95% CI: -0.4, 3.8) and an indirect effect 0.9 points (95% CI: 0.1, 2.0; proportion mediated, 34%). No other psychological construct was a significant mediator.

CONCLUSION

Improvements in perceived stress mediated improvements in disability after PT treatment compared to education. Other psychological outcomes did not mediate the effect of yoga or PT on pain or disability outcomes compared to education. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2022;52(7):470-483. Epub: 18 May 2022. doi:10.2519/jospt.2022.10813.

Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire, Oswestry Disability Index, and Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale: Which Has Superior Measurement Properties in Older Adults With Low Back Pain?

OBJECTIVE

To examine the validity, reliability, and responsiveness of 3 commonly used questionnaires for assessing physical function (ie, Oswestry Disability Index [ODI], Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale [QBPDS], and Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire [RMDQ]) in older patients undergoing chiropractic care for low back pain (LBP).

DESIGN

Head-to-head clinimetric comparison.

METHODS

Patients completed the ODI, QBPDS, and RMDQ at baseline and after 2 weeks of treatment. Reliability was evaluated for internal consistency (Cronbach α), test-retest reliability (interclass correlation coefficient [ICC]), and measurement error (standard error of measurement and smallest detectable change [SDC]). Structural validity was evaluated through unidimensional confirmatory factor analysis, and construct validity was investigated by a priori hypotheses with other measures. Responsiveness was evaluated by testing a priori hypotheses using data at baseline and at 2-week follow-up.

RESULTS

Two hundred fourteen patients (53% males and 47% females) with a mean age of 66.2 years (standard deviation = 7.8 years) were included, of which 193 patients completed the 2-week follow-up for our responsiveness analysis. The RMDQ, ODI, and QBPDS showed sufficient internal consistency (Cronbach α of .89, .86, and .94, respectively) and test-retest reliability (ICC[2,1] of 0.85, 0.89, and 0.84, respectively). The SDC for the RMDQ was 6.9, for the ODI was 19.1, and for the QBPDS was 23.6, which are values larger than the minimal important change. None of the measures met all criteria for sufficient structural validity, but the RMDQ and ODI exhibited a partial unidimensional fit. The questionnaires had sufficient construct validity and responsiveness.

CONCLUSION

The ODI, QBPDS, and RMDQ have similar measurement properties in older adults with LBP. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2022;52(7):457-469. Epub: 18 May 2022. doi:10.2519/jospt.2022.10802.

Responsiveness of the UW Concerns About Pain Scale and UW Pain-Related Self-Efficacy Scale in Individuals With Chronic Low Back Pain

OBJECTIVES

The aim was to examine the responsiveness, presence of floor or ceiling effects, and minimal clinically important differences (MCIDs) for 2 new measures of pain-related catastrophizing and self-efficacy in individuals with chronic low back pain.

METHODS

A total of 183 individuals with chronic low back pain recruited from physical therapy clinics in Thailand completed the Thai versions of the 6-item University of Washington Concerns About Pain scale (T-UW-CAP6) and 6-item University of Washington Pain-Related Self-Efficacy scale (T-UW-PRSE6) at baseline and at 4 weeks follow-up. Perceived change in low back symptom was assessed at 4 weeks using a 7-point measure of Global Perceived Effect (GPE). Responsiveness of the T-UW-CAP6 and the T-UW-PRSE6 scale scores were evaluated by computing the effect sizes and standardized response means for change over time, and examining these as a function of the GPE ratings. Floor and ceiling effects were examined by evaluating the score distributions. Scale core MCIDs were estimated by computing a half a SD and SE of measurement statistics for each scale.

RESULTS

Responsiveness of the scales to pain treatment was supported by differences found in the mean change scores as a function of the treatment response categories. No significant floor or ceiling effects were found for either measure. Changes of 4.38 and 3.68 appeared to be the smallest change score perceived as clinical meaningful for the T-UW-CAP6 and T-UW-PRSE 6 scale scores, respectively.

DISCUSSION

The T-UW-CAP6 and T-UW-PRSE6 demonstrated good ability to detect perceived changes over time in patients with chronic low back pain. The MCIDs values provide a benchmark for assessing individual improvement in this clinical context.

Association Between Psychosocial Parameters and Response to Chiropractic Care Among Older Adults With Chronic Low Back Pain: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to determine whether baseline self-efficacy, fear of pain with movement (kinesiophobia), or change in either were associated with clinically important improvement in disability among older adults with chronic low back pain after 12 weeks of chiropractic spinal manipulation (CSM) and exercise.

METHODS

This secondary analysis used randomized trial data from community-dwelling adults aged 65 years or older with chronic spinal disability who received non-pharmacological treatment of CSM and exercise. Those with ≥30% reduction in the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) after 12 weeks of treatment were considered responders to care. Psychosocial measures included the Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (PSEQ) and the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK). Logistic regression-assessed associations were between psychosocial, demographic, and low back predictors and 30% ODI improvement.

RESULTS

There were 176 community-dwelling older adults included in this analysis. Mean age was 71 years, 59.7% were women; 176 (96.7%) had complete data. Baseline disability (ODI = 26.1 ± 9.3) and back pain (5.0 ± 1.9, 0-10 scale) were moderate. Baseline PSEQ reflected higher self-efficacy (47.7 ± 7.8, 0-60 scale) with minimal kinesiophobia (TSK 34.3 ± 5.2, 17-68 scale). Seventy-two (40.9%) achieved 30% reduction in ODI (mean -5.4 ± 7.9) after 12 weeks of treatment. Mean self-efficacy improvement was clinically important (2.5 ± 6.5 points); kinesiophobia (-2.7 ± 4.4 points) and LBP (-1.6 points) also improved. Baseline PSEQ and percent improvement in PSEQ and TSK were associated with response to treatment in univariate regression analyses but not in multiple regression models that included low back predictors. LBP duration >4 years negatively impacted recovery.

CONCLUSIONS

Among this sample of older adults who received chiropractic manipulation and exercise, baseline self-efficacy and improvements in self-efficacy and kinesiophobia were individually associated with clinically important reductions in disability post-intervention, although not in adjusted models when LBP duration was included.

Why do we encounter studies with older versions of the Oswestry Disability Index? Awareness of researchers about the version updates and the lifespan of older versions

BACKGROUND: The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) is a common outcome-measure used for assessment of spinal disorders with three officially updated versions. However, there are recently published articles that still use ODI-1.0. This suggests the existence of a block on information flow between developers and end-users. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the articles with missing citation to the latest ODI version, to calculate the life span of previous ODI version and to investigate the existence of a block on information flow. METHODS: PMC-PubMed citation dataset is analyzed by CNA and text processing methods. RESULTS: The most important finding of this study is that there is no block on information flow between developers and users in terms of visibility in citations and full text access restrictions. Three different sub-networks are identified between ODI-1.0 and ODI-2.0 articles. 14% (165) of articles have citation to ODI-1.0 and ODI-2.0 version-articles. The time limit that is required for the new ODI version to become dominant in the literature is between 4 and 9 years. CONCLUSION: There is a missing citation problem in the ODI literature which is not a result of a block on information flow between developers and end-users.

Comparing Types of Yoga for Chronic Low Back and Neck Pain in Military Personnel: A Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial

Background

Chronic low back pain (cLBP) and chronic neck pain (cNP) are highly prevalent conditions and common reasons for disability among military personnel. Yoga and other mind-body interventions have been shown to safely decrease pain and disability in persons with cLBP and/or cNP but have not been adequately studied in active duty military personnel. The objective of this study was to examine the feasibility and acceptability of delivering 2 types of yoga (hatha and restorative) to a sample of active-duty military personnel with cLBP/cNP.

Methods

Military personnel with cLBP and/or cNP (n = 49; 59% men) were randomized to either hatha or restorative yoga interventions. Interventions consisted of in-person yoga 1-2x weekly for 12 weeks. Feasibility and acceptability were measured by rates of recruitment, intervention attendance, attrition, adverse events, and satisfaction ratings. Health outcomes including pain and disability were measured at baseline, 12 weeks, and 6 months. Means and effect sizes are presented.

Results

Recruitment was completed ahead of projections. Over 90% of participants agreed or strongly agreed that they enjoyed participation, liked the instructor, and would like to continue yoga. Retention rates were 86% and 80% at 12 week and 6 month assessments, respectively. Intervention attendance was adequate but lower than expected. There were small to moderate reductions in back-pain related disability, pain severity and pain interference, and improvements in quality of life, grip strength, and balance. In general, effects were larger for those who attended at least 50% of intervention classes. Participants with cNP tended to have smaller outcome improvements, but conclusions remain tentative given small sample sizes.

Conclusions

Results demonstrate feasibility for conducting a randomized controlled comparative effectiveness trial of yoga for cLBP and cNP among active duty military personnel. Acceptability was also established. Ongoing work will enhance the intervention for cNP and establish feasibility at another military facility in preparation for a fully-powered comparative effectiveness trial.ClinicalTrials #NCT03504085; registered April 20, 2018.

A biopsychosocial examination of chronic back pain, limitations on usual activities, and treatment in Brazil, 2019

Background

Chronic back pain is prevalent in Brazil, leading to enormous healthcare costs and social burdens. It also disproportionately affects low-income and less-healthy people.

Objectives

This study examines the associations of chronic back pain with biological, psychological, and social factors; how it limits usual activities; and how chronic back pain influences the use of treatment services.

Methods

Using Brazil’s National Health Survey (PNS-2019), multivariate logistic regressions were conducted to examine how biological, psychological, and social factors correlate with chronic back pain, limitations on usual activities, and pain treatment.

Results

PNS-2019 data showed that 23.4% (95% CI 22.8–24.0) of Brazilian adults aged over 20 reported back pain. A higher prevalence of chronic back pain was associated with biological factors (older age, being female, overweight or obese, current smoking, and having more chronic conditions), lower social conditions (low education, low per capita household income, non-married, and living in rural areas), and poor psychological health (more depressive symptoms). Chronic back pain is more likely to limit usual activities among those with low social conditions (lower education, lower income), poor physical and behavioral health (obese, current smokers, and those with a greater number of chronic conditions), and worse psychological health (more depressive symptoms). However, married people and those who do not consume alcohol were also more likely to report limited activities. Among those with back pain, 68% received at least one form of treatment. Those with intense limitations on their usual activities were 2.2 times as likely to report treatment. People with higher social conditions (higher income, college education, and private health insurance) were more likely to receive treatment.

Conclusion

The results show significant biological, psychological, and social disparities in the prevalence of chronic back pain in Brazil. The findings point to the need for tailored policies and prevention programs with attention to vulnerable groups. Even though Brazil has universal health care, those with better socioeconomic conditions are more likely to receive treatment.

Economic Evaluation: A Randomized Pragmatic Trial of a Primary Care-based Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Adults Receiving Long-term Opioids for Chronic Pain

BACKGROUND

Chronic pain is prevalent and costly; cost-effective nonpharmacological approaches that reduce pain and improve patient functioning are needed.

OBJECTIVE

Report the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER), compared with usual care, of cognitive behavioral therapy aimed at improving functioning and pain among patients with chronic pain on long-term opioid treatment.

DESIGN

Economic evaluation conducted alongside a pragmatic cluster randomized trial.

SUBJECTS

Adults with chronic pain on long-term opioid treatment (N=814).

INTERVENTION

A cognitive behavioral therapy intervention teaching pain self-management skills in 12 weekly, 90-minute groups delivered by an interdisciplinary team (behaviorists, nurses) with additional support from physical therapists, and pharmacists.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Cost per quality adjusted life year (QALY) gained, and cost per additional responder (≥30% improvement on standard scale assessment of Pain, Enjoyment, General Activity, and Sleep). Costs were estimated as-delivered, and replication.

RESULTS

Per patient intervention replication costs were $2145 ($2574 as-delivered). Those costs were completely offset by lower medical care costs; inclusive of the intervention, total medical care over follow-up was $1841 lower for intervention patients. Intervention group patients also had greater QALY and responder gains than did controls. Supplemental analyses using pain-related medical care costs revealed ICERs of $35,000, and $53,000 per QALY (for replication, and as-delivered intervention costs, respectively); the ICER when excluding patients with outlier follow-up costs was $106,000.

LIMITATIONS

Limited to 1-year follow-up; identification of pain-related utilization potentially incomplete.

CONCLUSION

The intervention was the optimal choice at commonly accepted levels of willingness-to-pay for QALY gains; this finding was robust to sensitivity analyses.

Intradiscal oxygen-ozone chemonucleolysis versus microdiscectomy for lumbar disc herniation radiculopathy: a non-inferiority randomized control trial

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

Low back pain with or without radicular leg pain is an extremely common health condition significantly impacting patient's activities and quality of life. When conservative management fails, epidural injections providing only temporary relief, are frequently utilized. Intradiscal oxygen-ozone may offer an alternative to epidural injections and further reduce the need for microdiscectomy.

PURPOSE

To compare the non-inferiority treatment status and clinical outcomes of intradiscal oxygen-ozone with microdiscectomy in patients with refractory radicular leg pain due to single-level contained lumbar disc herniations.

STUDY DESIGN / SETTING

Multicenter pilot prospective non-inferiority blocked randomized control trial conducted in three European hospital spine centers.

PATIENT SAMPLE

Forty-nine patients (mean 40 years of age, 17 females/32 males) with a single-level contained lumbar disc herniation, radicular leg pain for more than six weeks, and resistant to medical management were randomized, 25 to intradiscal oxygen-ozone and 24 to microdiscectomy. 88% (43 of 49) received their assigned treatment and constituted the AS-Treated (AT) population.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Primary outcome was overall 6-month improvement over baseline in leg pain. Other validated clinical outcomes, including back numerical rating pain scores (NRS), Roland Morris Disability Index (RMDI) and EQ-5D, were collected at baseline, 1 week, 1-, 3-, and 6-months. Procedural technical outcomes were recorded and adverse events were evaluated at all follow-up intervals.

METHODS

Oxygen-ozone treatment performed as outpatient day surgeries, included a one-time intradiscal injection delivered at a concentration of 35±3 μg/cc of oxygen-ozone by a calibrated delivery system. Discectomies performed as open microdiscectomy inpatient surgeries, were without spinal instrumentation, and not as subtotal microdiscectomies. Primary analyses with a non-inferiority margin of -1.94-point difference in 6-month cumulative weighted mean leg pain NRS scores were conducted using As-Treated (AT) and Intent-to-Treat (ITT) populations. In post hoc analyses, differences between treatment groups in improvement over baseline were compared at each follow-up visit, using baseline leg pain as a covariate.

RESULTS

In the primary analysis, the overall 6-month difference between treatment groups in leg pain improvement using the AT population was -0.31 (SE, 0.84) points in favor of microdiscectomy and using the ITT population, the difference was 0.32 (SE, 0.88) points in favor of oxygen-ozone. The difference between oxygen-ozone and microdiscectomy did not exceed the non-inferiority 95% confidence lower limit of treatment difference in either the AT (95% lower limit, -1.72) or ITT (95% lower limit, -1.13) populations. Both treatments resulted in rapid and statistically significant improvements over baseline in leg pain, back pain, RMDI, and EQ-5D that persisted in follow-up. Between group differences were not significant for any outcomes. During 6-month follow-up, 71% (17 of 24) of patients receiving oxygen-ozone, avoided microdiscectomy. The mean procedure time for oxygen-ozone was significantly faster than microdiscectomy by 58 minutes (p<.0010) and the mean discharge time from procedure was significantly shorter for the oxygen-ozone procedure (4.3±2.9 hours vs. 44.2±29.9 hours, p<.001). No major adverse events occurred in either treatment group.

CONCLUSIONS

Intradiscal oxygen-ozone chemonucleolysis for single-level lumbar disc herniations unresponsive to medical management, met the non-inferiority criteria to microdiscectomy on 6-month mean leg pain improvement. Both treatment groups achieved similar rapid significant clinical improvements that persisted and overall, 71% undergoing intradiscal oxygen-ozone were able to avoid surgery.

The impact of different intensities and domains of physical activity on analgesic use and activity limitation in people with low back pain: a prospective cohort study with a one-year follow-up

BACKGROUND

Analgesics are the most common form of managing low back pain (LBP). No previous study has examined which domains and intensities of physical activity are most beneficial in reducing the frequency of analgesic use for LBP, and its related activity limitation.

METHODS

This cohort study forms part of the AUstralian Twin low BACK pain study, investigating the impact of physical activity on LBP. Information on demographics, LBP and health-related factors, including physical activity were collected at baseline. Data on the total counts of analgesic use and activity limitation for LBP were collected weekly for one-year. Negative binomial regression models were conducted separately for each type of physical activity. Results were presented as Incidence Rate Ratios (IRR) and 95% Confidence Intervals (CI).

RESULTS

From an initial sample of 366 participants, 86 participants reported counts of analgesic use and 140 recorded counts of activity limitation across the follow up period. The negative binomial regression models for analgesic use counts indicated moderate-vigorous physical activity (IRR 0·97, 95% C.I 0·96-0·99) and physical workload (IRR 1·02, 95% C.I 1·01-1·05) to be significant. For activity limitation counts, significant associations were shown for sedentary time (IRR 1·04, 95% C.I 1·01-1·09) and leisure activity (IRR 0·94, 95% C.I 0·81-0·99).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings highlight the potential importance of supporting engagement in moderate-vigorous and leisure physical activity, as well as minimising sedentary time and physical workload to reduce the risk of activity limitation and the need for analgesic use in people with LBP.

Effectiveness and Feasibility of Injectable Escherichia coli-Derived Recombinant Human Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 for Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion at the Lumbosacral Junction in Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery: A Clinical Pilot Study

Objective

To explore the effectiveness and feasibility of injectable Escherichia coli‐derived recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (injectable E‐rhBMP‐2, a combination of E. coli‐derived recombinant human bone morphogenic protein‐2 and a hydrogel type beta‐tricalcium phosphate carrier) as a bone substitute for anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) of the lumbosacral junction in adult spinal deformity (ASD) patients.

Methods

A prospective single‐institution therapeutic exploratory trial was conducted. Twenty patients (average age: 69.1 years; 19 female and one male; average fusion level: 7.95) diagnosed with ASD with sagittal imbalance who underwent surgical treatment including ALIF at the lumbosacral junction from December 2017 to January 2019 were evaluated. Injectable E‐rhBMP‐2 was prepared by dissolving 3 mg of E. coli‐derived recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein‐2 in 1.5 ml H₂O and mixing in situ with 9 g hydrogel type beta‐tricalcium phosphate. This bone graft substitute was loaded onto a metal ALIF cage and L₅–S₁ ALIF was performed in routine manner. Then posterior column osteotomy with multilevel oblique lumbar interbody fusion or pedicle subtraction osteotomy with accessory rod technique was performed to restore sagittal balance. Patients were followed up for 12 months. CT‐based fusion rates were examined at 6 and 12 months after surgery. Also, clinical outcomes (Oswestry Disability Index [ODI], Visual Analog Scale [VAS] score of the back and leg) were evaluated at 6 and 12 months after surgery. All postoperative adverse events were evaluated for the association with injectable E.BMP‐2.

Results

Of the 20 patients, loss to follow‐up occurred with one patient at 6 months after surgery and one patient at 12 months after surgery, resulting in a total of 18 patients who were available for follow‐up. Six months after surgery, 68.4% patients achieved solid fusion. Twelve months after surgery, 100% fusion rate was achieved. Compared to baseline values, ODI scores improved to 45.8% and 63.7%, VAS (back) improved to 69.2% and 72.8%, and VAS (leg) improved to 49.2% and 64.8%, respectively, at 6 and 12 months after surgery (p < 0.001 for all). Ten cases of adverse events occurred. But no adverse events were associated with injectable E‐rhBMP‐2.

Conclusion

Injectable E‐rhBMP‐2 will be an effective bone graft substitute when achieving solid interbody fusion in the lumbosacral junction.

The Effect and Safety of Thunder-Fire Moxibustion for Low Back Pain: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background

Low back pain (LBP) is considered the leading cause of people living with years of disability worldwide. Notably, thunder-fire moxibustion (TFM) is a new type of moxibustion, which has been widely applied to treat pain syndromes for thousands of years. This study aims to provide evidence to evaluate the effect and safety of TFM in treating LBP.

Methods

A systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, Embase, EBSCO, CNKI, Wanfang Data, CBM, and VIP (until April 2021) was used to identify studies reporting pain intensity, disability, Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score, and quality of life in patients with LBP. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), which compared TFM and other therapies in LBP, were included. Meanwhile, methodological quality was evaluated using the Cochrane criteria for risk of bias, and the level of evidence was rated utilizing the GRADE approach.

Results

Twenty-one RCTs, including 2198 patients, satisfied the inclusion criteria. Compared with other therapies, the effect of TFM was statistically significant, pain intensity decreased (SMD = 0.94; 95% CI (0.74, 1.14); p < 0.00001), disability improved (SMD = 1.39; 95% CI (0.19, 2.59); p=0.02), and the JOA score increased (SMD = -1.34; 95% CI (-1.88, -0.80); p < 0.00001). It was also reported that the patient's quality of life improved after treatment for a period of 4 weeks (SMD = -0.29; 95% CI (-0.42, -0.16); p < 0.0001) and after a follow-up of 1 month (SMD = -0.20; 95% CI (-0.34, -0.07); p=0.003). The evidence level of the results was determined to be very low to low.

Conclusions

Based on the existing evidence, it can be concluded that TFM may have a better effect than other treatments on LBP. However, it is not yet possible to assess the safety level of TFM therapy. Due to the universal low quality of the eligible trials and low evidence level, rigorously designed large-scale RCTs must be conducted in order to further confirm the results in this review.

ASSERT (Acute Sacral inSufficiEncy fractuRe augmenTation): randomised controlled, feasibility trial in older people

OBJECTIVE

To determine the feasibility of designing and conducting a definitive trial to evaluate the effectiveness of sacral fracture fixation compared with non-surgical management among older people admitted with a lateral compression pelvic fragility fracture (PFF).

DESIGN

Single-site, parallel, two-arm randomised controlled feasibility trial.

SETTING

A UK tertiary centre hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients aged ≥70 years who were ambulating pre-injury requiring hospital admission (within 28 days of injury) with a type 1 lateral compression PFF.

INTERVENTIONS

The intervention group received sacral fracture fixation (cement augmentation±screw fixation) within 7 days of randomisation. Routine preoperative and postoperative care followed each surgical intervention. The control group received usual care consisting of analgesia, and regular input from the medical and therapy team.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

The feasibility outcomes were the number of eligible patients, willingness to be randomised, adherence to allocated treatment, retention, data on the completeness and variability of the proposed definitive trial outcome measures, and reported adverse events.

RESULTS

241 patients were screened. 13 (5.4%) were deemed eligible to participate. Among the eligible participants, nine (69.2%) were willing to participate. Five participants were randomised to the intervention group and four to the control group. The clinicians involved were willing to allow their patients to be randomised and adhere to the allocated treatment. One participant in the intervention group and two participants in the control group received their allocated treatment. All participants were followed up until 12 weeks post-randomisation, and had an additional safety follow-up assessment at 12 months. Overall, the proportion of completeness of outcome measures was at least 75%. No adverse events were directly related to the trial.

CONCLUSIONS

There were significant challenges in recruiting sufficient participants which will need to be addressed prior to a definitive trial.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ISRCTN16719542.

Effects of Local Anesthetics With or Without Steroids in High-Volume Transforaminal Epidural Blocks for Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Lumbar transforaminal epidural block (TFEB) is an effective treatment modality for radicular pain due to lumbar disc herniation (LDH). The addition of steroids is more effective than local anesthetic alone in TFEBs for patients with LDH. Moreover, the efficacy of TFEBs has been reported to be positively correlated with the volume of injectate. We hypothesized that high-volume TFEBs without steroids effectively alleviate axial back and radicular pain associated with LDH. This study compared the efficacy of high-volume TFEBs with vs. without steroids for the management of the axial and radicular pain caused by LDH.

METHODS

A total of 54 patients were randomly assigned to either group L or group D. Patients in group L received 8-mL injections of 0.33% lidocaine only. Patients in group D received 8-mL injections of 0.33% lidocaine with 5 mg of dexamethasone. The primary outcomes were pain intensity at baseline and 4 weeks after the procedure. The secondary outcomes included the change of functional disability between baseline and 4 weeks after the procedure, pain scores during injection, and adverse effects.

RESULTS

Both groups showed a significant reduction in axial and radicular pain and improvement in the functional status at the outpatient visit 4 weeks after TFEB. However, there were no significant differences between the groups in terms of changes in back pain (10.00 [20.00] vs. 10.00 [22.50]; P = 0.896) or radicular pain (5.00 [20.00] vs. 10.00 [12.50]; P = 0.871).

CONCLUSION

High-volume TFEBs with and without steroid administration yielded similar significant pain reductions and functional improvements among LDH patients 4 weeks after the procedure.

Symptomatic individuals with Lumbar Disc Degeneration use different anticipatory and compensatory kinematic strategies to asymptomatic controls in response to postural perturbation

BACKGROUND

Lumbar Disc Degeneration (LDD) is associated with recurrent low back pain (LBP) (symptomatic). However, in some instances of LDD, people do not experience LBP (asymptomatic).

RESEARCH QUESTION

As a step towards understanding why some people with LDD experience LBP and others do not, the primary aim of this study was to examine differences in anticipatory (APA) and compensatory postural adjustments (CPA), between symptomatic LDD patients (LDD pain) and asymptomatic LDD controls (LDD no pain) during postural perturbation. The secondary aim was to determine simultaneous differences in mental health, disability and quality of life status.

METHODS

3 T MRI was used to acquire T2 weighted images (L1-S1) from LDD no pain (n = 34) and LDD pain groups (n = 34). In this observational study, responses to predicted and unpredicted forward perturbations were examined using three dimensional motion capture. A Mann Whitney U test was conducted to examine group differences in sagittal spine and lower limb kinematics (integrated angular displacements during four established APA and CPA time intervals), anxiety, depression, disability and quality of life.

RESULTS

The LDD pain group exhibited lower hip and knee displacements (p = 0.049-0.040) than the LDD no pain group during predicted and unpredicted perturbation. The LDD pain group also exhibited higher compensatory lumbar displacement than the LDD no pain group (p = 0.040-0.005) in the predicted condition but there was no difference observed in the unpredicted condition. The LDD pain group experienced higher levels of depression, anxiety and disability (p < 0.0001) and lower quality of life (p = 0.0001) than LDD controls.

SIGNIFICANCE

Symptomatic LDD patients are different from LDD controls; they exhibit different kinematic strategies, levels of disability, anxiety, depression and quality of life. Effective care may benefit from evaluating and targeting these differences.

The Flares of Low back pain with Activity Research Study (FLAReS): study protocol for a case-crossover study nested within a cohort study

BACKGROUND

Although it is generally accepted that physical activity and flares of low back pain (LBP) are related, evidence for the directionality of this association is mixed. The Flares of Low back pain with Activity Research Study (FLAReS) takes a novel approach to distinguish the short-term effects of specific physical activities on LBP flares from the cumulative effects of such activities, by conducting a longitudinal case-crossover study nested within a cohort study. The first aim is to estimate the short-term effects (≤ 24 h) of specific physical activities on LBP flares among Veterans in primary care in the Veterans Affairs healthcare system. The second aim is to estimate the cumulative effects of specific activities on LBP-related functional limitations at 1-year follow-up.

METHODS

Up to 550 adults of working age (18-65 years) seen for LBP in primary care complete up to 36 "Scheduled" surveys over 1-year follow-up, and also complete unscheduled "Flare Window" surveys after the onset of new flares. Each survey asks about current flares and other factors associated with LBP. Surveys also inquire about activity exposures over the 24 h, and 2 h, prior to the time of survey completion (during non-flare periods) or prior to the time of flare onset (during flares). Other questions evaluate the number, intensity, duration, and/or other characteristics of activity exposures. Other exposures include factors related to mood, lifestyle, exercise, concurrent treatments, and injuries. Some participants wear actigraphy devices for weeks 1-4 of the study. The first aim will examine associations between 10 specific activity categories and participant-reported flares over 1-year follow-up. The second aim will examine associations between the frequency of exposure to 10 activity categories over weeks 1-4 of follow-up and long-term functional limitations at 12 months. All analyses will use a biopsychosocial framework accounting for potential confounders and effect modifiers.

DISCUSSION

FLAReS will provide empirically derived estimates of both the short-term and cumulative effects of specific physical activities for Veterans with LBP, helping to better understand the role of physical activities in those with LBP.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04828330 , registered April 2, 2021.

Effects of core stability training on older women with low back pain: a randomized controlled trial

Background

Studies have demonstrated that elderly people with low back pain (LBP) may have poor postural control compared to healthy older adults. Poor postural control is associated with poor balance performance and a high risk of serious falls. A variety of training strategies are proposed for LBP therapy, particularly core stabilization training. But this treatment for older people with LBP remains unclear.

Methods

31 participants were randomly placed in a core stability training group (TG, n = 15) and a control group (CG, n = 16). The participants in the training group were required to complete 4 sets of core stability training and conventional physiotherapy 4 times per week for 4 weeks, whereas the participants in the control group only completed physiotherapy 4 times per week for 4 weeks. Ultrasound imaging was used to measure transverse abdominal muscle (TrA) thickness before and after the intervention. A 10-cm visual analog scale (VAS), the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and mobility functions were applied before and after the intervention. Data are reported as the median and range and were compared using two-way repeated-measures ANOVA,t-tests and chi-squared tests. P < 0.05 was considered significant in all statistical tests.

Results

After intervention, there was a statistically significant difference in scores in the intervention group, especially for VAS, ODI, timed up-and-go,10-m walking and the four-square step test. TrA thickness was increased after core stability training, which was not observed in the control group.

Conclusion

Core stability training is an effective intervention for older women with LBP.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s11556-022-00289-x.

Preoperative Resilience and Early Postoperative Outcomes following Lumbar Spinal Fusion

BACKGROUND

Previous studies identified a correlation between preoperative resilience scores and patient reported outcome measures in several surgical subspecialities. No previous studies, to our knowledge, have analyzed preoperative resilience and patient reported outcomes in lumbar spinal fusion.

METHODS

Patients undergoing lumbar spinal fusion completed the brief resilience scale preoperatively, in addition to measures of disability (Oswestry Disability index (ODI)), quality of life (PROMIS global physical and mental health scales and EuroQOL5], and leg and back pain (VAS) at pre- and 3-months postoperatively. The 3-month follow-up was selected due to the association with return to work. Multiple linear regression evaluated relationships between resilience and postoperative changes in outcomes measures, controlling for baseline values and body mass index, age, number of levels fused, and severity of comorbidities.

RESULTS

Ninety-five participants (mean age = 58 years, 56% male) completed the BRS preoperatively and outcome measures before and 3-months after lumbar fusion. On average, participants reported significant postoperative improvements on all outcome measures (p<.001). Higher preoperative resilience scores related to greater postoperative improvements in back and leg pain, global mental and physical health and EuroQol scores (p<0.05), after controlling for baseline values and other covariates. Resilience scores did not significantly correlate with postoperative changes in ODI (p>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative resilience is associated with improvement in pain, physical and mental health quality of life during the early postoperative period following lumbar spinal fusion. Additional research is needed to determine if improvements are maintained beyond this interval and whether resilience can be modified to optimize outcomes.

The Effect of Vertebral Augmentation Procedure on Painful OVCFs: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

STUDY DESIGN

Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE

To systematically compare the effectiveness and safety of vertebral augmentation procedure (VAP) with non-surgical management (NSM) for the treatment of osteoporotic vertebrate compression fractures (OVCFs).

METHODS

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses with the comparison between VAP and NSM were identified to extract randomized controlled trials from electronic database. Additionally, recently published RCTs were identified. Two researchers independently extracted the data. The primary outcome of this meta-analysis was pain relief evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS).

RESULTS

Twenty RCTs involving 2566 patients with painful OVCFs were included. Significant differences were found between percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) and conservative treatment (CT) in VAS at each time point during follow-up period. The differences of VAS were not significant between PVP and sham procedure at most time points during follow-up period. In subgroup analysis based on fracture type and fracture location, significant differences of VAS were found between PVP and CT and were not found between PVP and sham procedure. In subgroup analysis of duration of back pain, significant differences were found between PVP and CT in VAS at 1 week, 3 month and 1 year. And the differences of VAS were not significant between PVP and CT at 1 month and 6 month.

CONCLUSION

BKP is considered sufficient to achieve good clinical outcomes. PVP is associated with on beneficial effect on treatment of painful OVCFs compared with sham procedure. The indication and timing of VAP need further research. More independently high-quality RCTs with sufficiently large sample sizes reporting cost-effectiveness are needed.

The Relative Efficacy of Seven Skeletal Muscle Relaxants. An Analysis of Data From Randomized Studies

BACKGROUND

Low back pain (LBP) causes 2.6 million visits to U.S. emergency departments (EDs) annually. These patients are often treated with skeletal muscle relaxants (SMRs).

OBJECTIVES

The goal of this study was to determine whether efficacy of SMRs is associated with age, sex, or baseline LBP severity.

METHODS

This was a planned analysis of data from 4 randomized studies of patients with acute nonradicular LBP. Patients were enrolled during an ED visit and followed-up 1 week later. The primary outcome was improvement in the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) between ED discharge and the 1-week follow-up. We compared the change in RMDQ among 8 groups: placebo, baclofen, metaxalone, tizanidine, diazepam, orphenadrine, methocarbamol, and cyclobenzaprine. All patients also received a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. We performed analysis of variance to determine statistically significant differences between medications and linear regression to determine the association of age, sex, and baseline severity with the primary outcome.

RESULTS

The mean improvement in RMDQ per group was placebo 10.5 (95% confidence interval [CI] 9.5-11.5), baclofen 10.6 (95% CI 8.6-12.7), metaxalone 10.3 (95% CI 8.1-12.4), tizanidine 11.5 (95% CI 9.5-13.4), diazepam 11.1 (95% CI 9-13.2), orphenadrine 9.5 (95% CI 7.4-11.5), methocarbamol 8.1 (95% CI 6.1-10.1), and cyclobenzaprine 10.1 (95% CI 8.3-12). The between-group differences were not statistically significantly different. Results were similar regardless of age, sex, and baseline severity. Higher baseline RMDQ was associated with greater clinical improvement (B coefficient 5.7, p < 0.01). Adverse medication effects were more common with cyclobenzaprine than with placebo (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients in the ED with acute LBP treated with a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, SMRs do not improve outcomes more than placebo. Neither age, sex, nor baseline impairment impacts these results.

Electrical dry needling versus conventional physiotherapy in the treatment of active and latent myofascial trigger points in patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain

Background

Chronic low back pain is considered to be one of the main causes of absenteeism from work and primary and specialized consultations. The symptoms of nonspecific chronic low back pain may be accompanied by the activation of myofascial trigger points in the muscles, together with local and/or referred pain. Electrical dry needling is increasingly used in the treatment of lumbar myofascial pain. Conventional physiotherapy, however, is a popular approach to chronic pathologies, and there is evidence of different modalities of physiotherapy being used in the treatment of chronic low back pain. The aim of this study has been to determine the effectiveness of electrical dry needling versus conventional physiotherapy when applied to active and latent myofascial trigger points in patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain.

Methods

This is a controlled, randomized, two-arm, double-blind study. A total of 92 patients with chronic low back pain (time to onset ≥ 3 months, Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire score ≥ 4) will be recruited from the University of Almería. Participants will be divided into two study groups (n = 40) to receive treatment of low back pain with electrical dry needling and conventional physiotherapy (ischaemic compression, analytic stretching and postural education training dossier). A total of 6 sessions will be administered once a week for 6 weeks. Pain intensity, disability, fear of movement, quality of life, quality of sleep, anxiety and depression, pressure pain threshold, abdominal strength and lumbar mobility will be recorded at 6 weeks (post-immediate) and 2 months after the end of treatment.

Discussion

We believe that an approach including electrical dry needling to chronic low back pain dysfunction will be more effective in these patients. The results of this study will inform clinicians on which type of treatment is more beneficial for patients with chronic low back pain.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04804228. Registered on 14 January 2021

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13063-022-06179-y.

Comparing an e-Health program vs home rehabilitation program in patients with non-specific low back pain: A study protocol randomized feasibility trial

BACKGROUND

There is little evidence on the reliability of the web application-based rehabilitation systems to treat chronic low back pain (CLBP).

METHODS

This protocol describes a double-blind, randomized controlled feasibility trial of an e-Health intervention developed to support the self-management of people with CLBP in primary care physiotherapy. Three Hospitals with primary care for outpatients will be the units of randomisation, in each Hospital the participants will be randomized to one of two groups, a pragmatic control group receiving either the usual home program based on electrostimulation and McKenzie Therapy and e-Health intervention. Patients are followed up at 2 and 6 months. The primary outcomes are (1) acceptability and demand of the intervention by GPs, physiotherapists and patients and (2) feasibility and optimal study design/methods for a definitive trial. Secondary outcomes will include analysis in the clinical outcomes of pain, disability, fear of movement, quality of life, isometric resistance of the trunk flexors, lumbar anteflexion and lumbar segmental range of motion.

DISCUSSION

The specific e-Health programs to home could increase adherence to treatment, prevent stages of greater pain and disability, and improve the painful symptomatology.

CONCLUSIONS

The e-Health programs could be an effective healthcare tool that can reach a large number of people living in rural or remote areas.

Platelet-Rich Plasma-Releasate (PRPr) for the Treatment of Discogenic Low Back Pain Patients: Long-Term Follow-Up Survey

Background and Objectives: Clinical studies of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for the treatment of low back pain (LBP) have been reported; however, less is known about its long-term efficiency. Materials and Methods: This study was a long-term follow-up of a previous prospective clinical feasibility study for the use of PRP releasate (PRPr) to treat discogenic LBP patients. Among 14 patients, 11 patients were evaluated for a long-term survey. The efficacy was assessed by a visual analogue scale (VAS) for LBP intensity and the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RDQ) for LBP-related disability. Radiographic disc height was evaluated for seven patients. Results: Improvements in VAS and RDQ were sustained at an average of 5.9 years after the intradiscal injection of PRPr (p < 0.01 vs. baseline, respectively). Clinically meaningful improvements (more than 30% decrease from baseline) in VAS and RDQ were identified in 91% of patients at final survey. The radiographic measurement of disc height of PRPr-injected discs showed a mild decrease (13.8% decrease compared to baseline) during the average 5.9 years. Conclusions: The results of this study with a small number of patients suggest that the intradiscal injection of PRPr has a safe and efficacious effect on LBP improvement for more than 5 years after treatment. Further large-scale studies would be needed to confirm the clinical evidence for the use of PRPr for the treatment of patients with discogenic LBP.

Care Outcomes for Chiropractic Outpatient Veterans (COCOV): a single-arm, pragmatic, pilot trial of multimodal chiropractic care for U.S. veterans with chronic low back pain

Background

Over 25% of veterans seeking care at U.S. Veterans Health Administration facilities have chronic low back pain (LBP), with high rates of mental health comorbidities. The primary objective of this study was to assess the feasibility of participant recruitment, retention, and electronic data collection to prepare for the subsequent randomized trial of multimodal chiropractic care for pain management of veterans with chronic low back pain. The secondary objectives were to estimate effect sizes and variability of the primary outcome and choose secondary outcomes for the full-scale trial.

Methods

This single-arm pilot trial enrolled 40 veterans with chronic LBP at one Veterans Health Administration facility for a 10-week course of pragmatic multimodal chiropractic care. Recruitment was by (1) provider referral, (2) invitational letter from the electronic health record pre-screening, and (3) standard direct recruitment. We administered patient-reported outcome assessments through an email link to REDCap, an electronic data capture platform, at baseline and 5 additional timepoints. Retention was tracked through adherence to the treatment plan and completion rates of outcome assessments. Descriptive statistics were calculated for baseline characteristics and outcome variables.

Results

We screened 91 veterans over 6 months to enroll our goal of 40 participants. Seventy percent were recruited through provider referrals. Mean age (range) was 53 (22–79) years and 23% were female; 95% had mental health comorbidities. The mean number of chiropractic visits was 4.5 (1–7). Participants adhered to their treatment plan, with exception of 3 who attended only their first visit. All participants completed assessments at the in-person baseline visit and 80% at the week 10 final endpoint. We had no issues administering assessments via REDCap. We observed clinically important improvements on the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire [mean change (SD): 3.6 (6.1)] and on PROMIS® pain interference [mean change (SD): 3.6 (5.6)], which will be our primary and key secondary outcome, respectively, for the full-scale trial.

Conclusions

We demonstrated the feasibility of participant recruitment, retention, and electronic data collection for conducting a pragmatic clinical trial of chiropractic care in a Veterans Health Administration facility. Using the pilot data and lessons learned, we modified and refined a protocol for a full-scale, multisite, pragmatic, National Institutes of Health-funded randomized trial of multimodal chiropractic care for veterans with chronic LBP that began recruitment in February 2021.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03254719

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40814-022-01008-0.

Impact of Work-Related Chronic Low Back Pain on Functional Performance and Physical Capabilities in Women and Men: A Sex-Wise Comparative Study

Purpose

This study is aimed at determining the impact of work-related low back pain (LBP) on functional performance and physical capabilities.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included women (n = 25, mean age, 38.12 ± 4.59) and men (n = 25, mean age, 37.20 ± 5.38) with a history of work-related mechanical chronic LBP who visited our university hospital's outpatient department. All participants were assessed for primary outcomes, including the severity of LBP on rest and on activity, functional performance, and physical capabilities using a numeric pain rating scale (NPRS), Roland-Morris disability questionnaire (RDQ), five-time sit-to-stand test (FTSST), and fifty-foot walk test (FFWT), respectively. Independent t-tests compared the scores of the outcomes between groups while Pearson's correlation coefficient identified the correlation between the outcomes' measures at a significance level of 0.05.

Results

With a response rate of 63.29%, a total of fifty participant's data were obtained for the analysis. A comparison between women and men groups highlighted a significant difference in the scores of the FTSST and FFWT; however, there were insignificant differences in the scores of the NPRS at rest, NPRS on activity, and RDQ. The bivariate correlation revealed a highly significant, positive, and moderate correlation between the scores of NPRS at rest and FTSST, NPRS on activity and FTSST, NPRS at rest and FFWT, NPRS on activity and FFWT, FTSST and RDQ, and FFWT and RDQ in the women group. Similarly, there was a significant, positive, and low correlation between the scores of FTSST and RDQ and FFWT and RDQ in the men group.

Conclusion

Work-related chronic LBP affected the physical capabilities of women more than those of men. However, it equally affected the functional performance of all participants in the study. Furthermore, work-related chronic LBP affected the physical capabilities (FTSST and FFWT) and functional performance (RDQ) of women more than those of men.

Comparison of Mid- to Long-term Follow-up of Patient-reported Outcomes Measures After Single-level Lumbar Total Disc Arthroplasty, Multi-level Lumbar Total Disc Arthroplasty, and the Lumbar Hybrid Procedure for the Treatment of Degenerative Disc Disease

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this article is to compare the mid- to long-term patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) between single-level total disc arthroplasty (TDA), multi-level TDA, and hybrid constructs (combination of TDA and anterior lumbar interbody fusion [ALIF] across multiple levels) for symptomatic degenerative disc disease (DDD).

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

The treatment of single-level DDD is well documented using TDA. However, there is still a paucity of published evidence regarding long-term outcomes on multi-level TDA and hybrid constructs for the treatment of multi-level DDD, as well as lack of long-term comparisons regarding treatment of single-level DDD and multi-level DDD.

METHODS

A total of 950 patients underwent surgery for single-level or multi-level DDD between July 1998 and February 2012 with single-level TDA (n = 211), multi-level TDA (n = 122), or hybrid construct (n = 617). Visual Analog Score for the back (VAS-B) and leg (VAS-L) were recorded, along with the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ).

RESULTS

All PROMs in all groups showed statistically and clinically significant improvements (P < 0.005) in pain and function that is well above the corresponding minimum clinically important difference (MCID) and exceeds literature thresholds for substantial clinical benefit (SCB). Unadjusted analyses show that there were no statistically significant differences in the change scores between the surgery groups for VAS back and leg pain, and RMDQ up to 8 years' follow-up. Adjusted analyses showed the ODI improvement score for the single group was 2.2 points better (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.6-3.9, P = 0.009) than in the hybrid group. The RMDQ change score was better in the hybrid group than in the multi-level group by 1.1 points (95% CI: 0.4-1.9, P = 0.003) at 6 months and a further 0.4 point at 2 years (95% CI: 0.1-0.8, P = 0.011).

CONCLUSION

In the setting of meticulous preoperative evaluation in establishing a precision diagnosis, clinically and statistically equivalent results can be achieved when treating symptomatic DDD through single-level TDA, multi-level TDA, and hybrid constructs. These results are sustained at mid- to long-term follow-up.Level of Evidence: 3.

Effectiveness of intradiscal platelet rich plasma for discogenic low back pain without Modic changes: A randomized controlled trial

Objective

To determine if autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection into a degenerative intervertebral disc, without Modic changes on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), improve pain and function.

Design

Prospective, randomized controlled study.

Setting

Outpatient spine practice (Stichting Rugpoli, Netherlands).

Participants

Adults with chronic low back pain referred to Stichting Rugpoli, according to the Dutch General Practitioners Guidelines, unresponsive to conservative treatment, without Modic changes on MRI.

Methods

Provocation discography was performed to confirm the suspected disc was the source of pain. Participants were randomized to receive 1.0 ​cc intradiscal PRP (intervention) or 1.0 ​cc Saline with 0.2g Kefzol (control). Data on pain (Numeric Rating Scale), physical function (Roland Morris Disabilty Questionnaire, RMDQ), and participants' general perceived health (SF-12) were collected at 1 week, 4 weeks, 2 months, 6 months, 9 months and 1 year. A repeated-measures analysis (mixed model) was used for comparing the outcomes of the groups.

Results

Of the initial 98 (49 intervention, 49 control) patients randomized, 89 (91%) (44 intervention, 45 control) with complete outcome data were analyzed. Groups were balanced at baseline. After twelve months no differences between groups were found in the average pain (improved 21/44 in intervention vs 16/45 in control, p ​= ​0.244), the disability scores (RMDQ minimal 3 points improvement 22/44 in intervention vs 24/45 in control, p ​= ​0.753) and the SF-12 (mean difference physical health -1.19, 95% CI -5.39 to 2.99, p ​= ​0.721, and mental health -0.34, 95% CI -3.99 to 3.29, p ​= ​0.834). One serious adverse event occurred (spondylodiscitis) after intervention.

Conclusion

Participants who received intradiscal PRP showed no significant improvement in pain or functionality compared to the control group at 1 year follow up.

Validation of a novel range of motion assessment tool for the cervical spine: the HALO© digital goniometer

BACKGROUND

Cervical spine range of motion (ROM) assessment has long been carried out via use of the universal goniometer (UG) as an objective tool in the evaluation of patient rehabilitation pre- and post-operatively. The advent of novel ROM assessment technology, such as HALO digital goniometer (DG), presents an avenue for research and potential application within clinical and surgical settings. The objective of this study was to examine the reliability and validity of the HALO DG in the assessment of the active ROM of the cervical spine.

METHODS

One hundred healthy subjects were recruited for the study and were split into two groups to be assessed by either physiotherapists or medical students. The methodology for cervical spine ROM assessment was carried out per the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) guidelines. The reliability analysis was completed using IBM SPSS Statistics 25, calculating the intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) to determine both the intra- and inter-rater reliability of the device.

RESULTS

Inter-rater reliability within the physiotherapist cohort with the DG (ICCr =0.477, 0.718, 0.551) was higher compared to the UG (ICCr =0.380, 0.510, 0.255) for active cervical flexion, lateral flexion, and rotation, respectively. The UG (ICCr =0.819) showed better reliability versus the DG (ICCr =0.780) when assessing cervical extension. Similarly, in the medical student cohort, the DG outperformed the UG in all movement except cervical lateral flexion. When assessing for intra-rater reliability, the DG (ICCm =0.507, 0.773, 0.728, 0.691) performed better than the UG (ICCm =0.487, 0.529, 0.532, 0.585) in cervical flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The present validation study identified the DG as a reliable substitute for the UG.

Changes in T2 Relaxation Time Mapping of Intervertebral Discs Adjacent to Vertebrae after Kyphoplasty Correlate with the Physical Clinical Outcome of Patients

(1) Background: To assess whether clinical outcomes correlate with tissue changes in the intervertebral discs (IVDs) after kyphoplasty as treatment for vertebral fractures, quantitative MRI was applied. (2) Methods: Quantitative T2 mapping acquired in a 3 T MRI scanner of the thoracolumbar spine was performed in 20 patients two years after kyphoplasty. The IVDs adjacent and nonadjacent to the treated vertebrae were divided into six regions of interest (ROI), which were further categorised into inner (ROI 2–5) and outer (ROI 1 and 6) parts of the IVDs, and the T2 values were analysed. T2 values of adjacent discs were correlated with the items of questionnaires evaluating the clinical outcome (i.e., 36-Item Short Form Survey). (3) Results: Lower T2 values in adjacent IVDs correlated with poorer physical outcome two years after kyphoplasty. The inner part of the IVDs adjacent to treated vertebrae showed statistically significant lower T2 values in segments L2/L3 and L3/L4 compared to nonadjacent ones. Patients with lower T2 values showed more pain and physical limitations in everyday life. (4) Conclusions: Quantitative T2 mapping can detect IVD degeneration in patients after kyphoplasty and correlates with the physical outcome. This technique could help to gain better insights into alterations in tissue composition following kyphoplasty and the consequences for the patients’ quality of life.