Risk Factors Associated With Back Pain: A Cross-Sectional Study of 963 College Students

Psychological, social and academic functioning in university students with chronic pain: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

Chronic pain is a prevalent health issue among young adults; however, there is limited understanding on how it affects university students. This is the first systematic review of evidence relating to the association between chronic pain and psychological, social and academic functioning in university students. Participants: Four databases were searched for relevant published studies. Data from 18 studies including 10,069 university students, of which 2895 reported having chronic pain, were included in the synthesis. Methods: Due to heterogeneity of data and methodologies, meta-analysis was not possible; therefore, data were synthesized narratively. Results: Our findings showed that students with chronic pain have poorer psychological, social and academic functioning and quality of life, compared to students without chronic pain. Conclusions: These findings suggest that chronic pain presents a challenge in university settings. Research is urgently needed to enable an understanding of how universities can support students who experience chronic pain.

Self-Reported Chronic Back Pain and Current Depression in Brazil: A National Level Study

There is limited literature investigating the association between chronic back pain (CBP) and depression in Brazil. This study evaluates the association between CBP, CBP-related physical limitations (CBP-RPL), and self-reported current depression (SRCD), in a nationally representative sample of Brazilian adults. The data for this cross-sectional study came from the 2019 Brazilian National Health Survey (n = 71,535). The Personal Health Questionnaire depression scale (PHQ-8) was used to measure the SRCD outcome. The exposures of interest were self-reported CBP and CBP-RPL (none, slight, moderate, and high limitation). Multivariable weighted and adjusted logistic regression models were used to investigate these associations. The weighted prevalence of SRCD among CBP was 39.5%. There was a significant weighted and adjusted association between CBP and SRCD (weighted and adjusted odds ratio (WAOR) 2.69 (95% CI: 2.45-2.94). The WAOR of SRCD among individuals with high, moderate, and slight levels of physical limitation was significantly greater than for those without physical limitation due to CBP. Among Brazilian adults with high levels of CBP-RPL, there was over a five-fold increased risk of SRCD compared to those without CBP-RPL. These results are important for increasing awareness of the link between CBP and SRCD and for informing health services policies.

Using Technology to Assess Bidirectionality between Daily Pain and Physical Activity: The Role of Marginalization during Emerging Adulthood

Emerging adulthood is often overlooked as a developmental time period critical to shaping future health outcomes. Recurrent pain is a commonly experienced health concern within this age group, particularly headaches and low back pain, and early experiences of recurrent pain are related to subsequent chronic pain and disability. Furthermore, adults from marginalized populations report more frequent and severe recurrent pain. Many studies have demonstrated the therapeutic effect of physical activity on pain relief; however, others have demonstrated that physical activity can also exacerbate pain symptoms. Therefore, the current study aimed to (1) assess a bidirectional relationship between reported pain and engagement in physical activity among an emerging adult sample (N = 265) and (2) determine whether sociodemographic factors moderate this relationship. Using longitudinal daily reported pain and ActiGraph monitor data collected over two weeks, a novel dynamic structural equation modeling approach was employed. Results indicated no significant cross-lagged relationships between pain and physical activity, and no significant moderation effects. These findings suggest that a bidirectional relationship does not exist among a diverse college sample of emerging adults even after considering sociodemographic moderators. Excellent retention and few missing data suggest that using accelerometers and daily diaries are feasible methods to collect data in this population. Sample considerations and future analytical approaches are discussed.

The Effect of Manual Therapy on Lower Extremity Joint Kinematics during Running: A single-subject case study

BACKGROUND

While there is scarcity of current literature to support the effectiveness of muscle energy techniques (MET) with musculoskeletal injuries, the overall impact on gait kinematics necessitates investigation. This case study involved a 48-year-old male runner and aimed to determine the effect of manual therapy, including joint mobilization and MET, on lower extremity (LE) kinematics. The subject had a medical history that included: Achilles tendonitis, low back pain, and iliotibial band syndrome.

METHODS

A clinical exam and Xsens motion capture were performed on the subject prior to treatment and at the conclusion of the 6 weeks of treatment. Motion capture was used to examine bilateral foot contact time, hip transverse plane motion and ankle sagittal plane motion. Pre-treatment and post-treatment ipsilateral and bilateral differences between groups were analyzed.

RESULTS

Changes were noted between ipsilateral and bilateral pre- and post-treatment contact times; right foot sagittal plane joint angle at foot off; left hip transverse plane joint angle at foot contact and foot off, all bilateral pre- and post-treatment hip angles at foot contact and foot off, all bilateral pre- and post-treatment ankle angles at foot contact and foot off.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical exams paralleled the change in hip external rotation bringing the hips to a more neutral position. In addition, the final clinical exam noted a decrease in subtalar eversion bilaterally, which may relate to the improved pelvic symmetry and biomechanical compensation pattern. Clinically, these findings may coincide with improving proximal lumbopelvic symmetry assisting with normalizing distal mobility by using manual therapy.

Hassles predict physical health complaints in undergraduate students: a dynamic structural equation model analysis of daily diary data

OBJECTIVE

Daily hassles and physical health complaints are common among undergraduate students, and both are related to negative academic and psychosocial outcomes. However, the extent to which hassles or health complaints persist from day to day is underexplored, and studies examining whether hassles predict health complaints or vice versa, are lacking. This study aimed to examine the temporal stability and to define the temporal relationship between daily hassles and health symptoms in undergraduate students.

DESIGN

Participants (n = 255, mean age = 19.2 years, 69% female, 53% White) completed 14 consecutive daily diaries of hassles and health complaints.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Daily reports of the Brief College Students Hassles Scale and the Patient Health Questionnaire-15.

RESULTS

Hassles and health complaints demonstrated stability through autocorrelations. Hassles significantly predicted subsequent health complaints, but health complaints did not significantly predict subsequent hassles. However, the two paths did not differ significantly.

CONCLUSION

Students reporting elevations in one or both domains may benefit from interventions aimed at reducing daily hassles, in order to promote better perceived health and well-being.

The role of pain, disability and perceived social support in psychological and academic functioning of university students with pain: an observational study

OBJECTIVES

University students with pain face unique physical, psychological, social and academic challenges, but research on this is limited. The main aim of this study was to examine how pain, disability and perceived social support relate to psychological and academic outcomes in students with pain. It also compared students with pain and students without pain on measures of depression, anxiety and perceived social support.

METHODS

Three hundred and eleven students enrolled in Chinese universities took part in the study, 198 with pain (102 reported acute pain and 96 chronic pain) and 113 without pain. They completed measures of perceived social support, depression, anxiety, pain (intensity, frequency, duration), disability and pain interference with academic functioning.

RESULTS

Students with chronic pain reported higher levels of anxiety and depression and lower levels of perceived social support than students without pain. There were no significant differences between students with acute and chronic pain, and between students with acute pain and those without pain. In the pain sample (containing both acute and chronic pain group), greater interference with academic functioning was predicted by higher levels of pain and disability, and disability also predicted higher levels of depression. After controlling for effects of pain and disability, lower levels of perceived social support predicted higher levels of both anxiety and depression.

CONCLUSIONS

These results highlight the role of pain and disability in academic functioning and the role of perceived social support in psychological functioning of students with pain.

Civic engagement among student veterans

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess participation rates in civic volunteering among service member and veteran students. Participants: Data for the present cross-sectional study were obtained from the American College Health Association's (ACHA) 2011-2014 National College Health Assessment II (NCHA). Methods: Demographic characteristics of the study sample were explored by calculating frequencies and percentages by military service status. Research questions were explored with either Fisher's exact test or maximum likelihood multiple logistic regression. Results: Service member and veteran students were more likely to engage in volunteerism than their non-veteran counterparts. Additionally, student veterans and non-veteran students reported that engagement in volunteer efforts both reduces their feelings of depression and increases their use of mental health services. Conclusion: The findings of this research suggest that the promotion of civic engagement and participation in volunteerism for service member and veteran students on college campuses might contribute to successful reintegration outcomes.

Potential risk factors and triggers for back pain in children and young adults. A scoping review, part II: unclear or mixed types of back pain

Background

Back pain is a global problem in terms of disability and financially, with a large burden both to the individual and to society. Back pain was previously believed to be uncommon in children. However, there is a growing body of evidence that this is not the case.

Objective

Part I of this scoping review studied risk factors of incident and episodic back pain. In this part II we aimed to identify all risk factors and triggers with unclear or mixed type back pain in young people and to identify any gaps in the literature.

Methods

A scoping review design was selected to summarise the evidence, as there are many studies on "risk factors" for back pain. The scoping review followed the PRISMSA-ScR guidelines. We considered all studies that tested potential risk factors and triggers for thoracic and/or lumbar spine pain, in children, adolescents, and young adults (≤ 24 years). PubMed and Cochrane databases were searched from inception to September 2018, to identify relevant English language articles. The results regarding potential risk factors were separated into temporal precursors and bidirectional risk factors and the studies were classified by study design.

Results

Our comprehensive search strategy identified 7356 articles, of which 83 articles were considered eligible for this review (part II). There were 53 cross-sectional studies and 30 cohort studies. Potential risk factors for back pain were: female sex, older age, later pubertal status, positive family history of back pain, increased growth, and a history of back pain, most of which are temporal precursor variables. There was limited research for the illness factors, spinal posture, and muscle endurance in the development of back pain.

Conclusion

Many of the included studies approached risk factors in similar ways and found factors that were associated with back pain but were not obvious risk factors as causality was uncertain. Future research should be more rigorous and innovative in the way that risk factors are considered. This could be through statistical approaches including cumulative exposures, or longitudinal approaches including multi-trajectory methods. Additionally, data on proposed risk factors should be collected before the onset of back pain.

Prediction Effects of Personal, Psychosocial, and Occupational Risk Factors on Low Back Pain Severity Using Artificial Neural Networks Approach in Industrial Workers

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to provide an empirical model of predicting low back pain (LBP) by considering the occupational, personal, and psychological risk factor interactions in workers population employed in industrial units using an artificial neural networks approach.

METHODS

A total of 92 workers with LBP as the case group and 68 healthy workers as a control group were selected in various industrial units with similar occupational conditions. The demographic information and personal, occupational, and psychosocial factors of the participants were collected via interview, related questionnaires, consultation with occupational medicine, and also the Rapid Entire Body Assessment worksheet and National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index software. Then, 16 risk factors for LBP were used as input variables to develop the prediction model. Networks with various multilayered structures were developed using MATLAB.

RESULTS

The developed neural networks with 1 hidden layer and 26 neurons had the least error of classification in both training and testing phases. The mean of classification accuracy of the developed neural networks for the testing and training phase data were about 88% and 96%, respectively. In addition, the mean of classification accuracy of both training and testing data was 92%, indicating much better results compared with other methods.

CONCLUSION

It appears that the prediction model using the neural network approach is more accurate compared with other applied methods. Because occupational LBP is usually untreatable, the results of prediction may be suitable for developing preventive strategies and corrective interventions.

Backpack-back pain complexity and the need for multifactorial safe weight recommendation

The study analysed backpack-related back pain in school children by investigating the possibility of multiple interactions among causative factors, which may be responsible for the non-conclusive findings on the issue. Using data from 444 prepubescent schoolchildren, a mixed method design combining survey, observation and direct measurement strategies was implemented. Using a multivariate structural equation modelling approach, the study investigated interactions among anthropometry, posture, backpack volume, rating and back pain constructs, with each construct made of 2-4 indicators. Additionally, regression analysis was used to determine the feasibility of considering the two additional factors of age and body mass index along with the globally accepted recommendation of a load of 10-15% of body weight. Our model demonstrated an acceptable model fit and revealed direct and indirect effects of the factors. Obese children were recommended to carry a one-third lighter load than other children. The application of systematic/multiple strategies provided an explanation for some of the issues associated with school children's backpack-related back pain.

Factors that impact functional performance of elderly with low back pain

Abstract Introduction: Low back pain is a common condition among older adults and an important cause of disability. Objective: To evaluate the relationship between functional performance of older adults with low back pain and the following variables: sociodemographic and clinical factors, self-perceived health and back pain beliefs. Methods: A cross-sectional study that used data from the Back Complaints in the Elders international consortium. Information about sociodemographic factors (sex, age, marital status, formal education), clinical factors (intensity and frequency of pain, comorbidities), self-perceived health, back pain beliefs and functional performance (measured by the disability component of the Late Life Function and Disability Instrument - LLFDI) were collected through self-report. 191 older adults above 60 years with a new episode of back complaints who did not have any cognitive disorder, visual or hearing impairment, or motor disabilities participated in the study. A bivariate analysis was conducted between each independent variable and each outcome. Associations with p < 0.20 were selected for the multiple linear regression analysis, which was carried out for each LLFDI domain. Results: The multiple regression coefficients of determination were significant despite the modest magnitude. The variables related to functional performance were back beliefs, self-perceived health, formal education, pain frequency and marital status. Conclusion: These results may contribute to the expansion of health professionals’ work in the therapeutic approach of low back pain, broadening its focus beyond clinical aspects in order to value beliefs of older adults and their self-perceived health.

Multivariable modeling of factors associated with spinal pain in young adolescence

PURPOSE

To investigate the factors related to the 1-month period prevalence of low back pain (LBP), neck pain (NP) and thoracic spine pain (TSP) in young adolescents, thereby considering potential correlates from the physical, sociodemographic, lifestyle, psychosocial and comorbid pain domains.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional baseline study, 69 factors potentially associated with spinal pain were assessed among 842 healthy adolescents before pubertal peak growth. With consideration for possible sex differences in associations, multivariable analysis was used to simultaneously evaluate contributions of all variables collected in the five domains.

RESULTS

A significantly higher odds of LBP was shown for having high levels of psychosomatic complaints (odds ratio: 4.4; 95 % confidence interval: 1.6-11.9), a high lumbar lordotic apex, retroversed pelvis, introverted personality, and high levels of negative over positive affect. Associations with a higher prevalence and odds of NP were found for psychosomatic complaints (7.8; 2.5-23.9), TSP in the last month (4.9; 2.2-10.8), backward trunk lean, high levels of negative over positive affect and depressed mood. Having experienced LBP (2.7; 1.3-5.7) or NP (5.5; 2.6-11.8) in the preceding month was associated with a higher odds of TSP, as were low self-esteem, excessive physical activity, sedentarism and not achieving the Fit-norm.

CONCLUSIONS

Psychosomatic symptoms and pain comorbidities had the strongest association with 1-month period prevalence of spinal pain in young adolescents, followed by factors from the physical and psychosocial domains. The role that "physical factors" play in non-adult spinal pain may have been underestimated by previous studies.

Utilization and limitations of the American College Health Association's National College Health Assessment instrument: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the literature in which researchers have utilized the National College Health Assessment (NCHA) I or the NCHA II.

PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS

The authors selected peer-reviewed articles published between 2004 and July 2013 utilizing a single search term: National College Health Assessment. Articles were assessed for instrument use, limitations, and data analyses.

RESULTS

The search resulted in 72 articles for inclusion. Researchers used the instrument to either conduct a primary investigation or utilize reference group data for secondary analysis. Researchers used many data analyses, statistical tests, techniques, and methods. Limitations of the instrument were consistently mentioned by researchers.

CONCLUSIONS

Results indicate limitations in the NCHA. To ensure college health professionals are gaining the best information possible regarding students on their campuses, specific improvements to the NCHA are recommended.

Muscle energy technique for non-specific low-back pain

BACKGROUND

Low-back pain (LBP) is responsible for considerable personal suffering due to pain and reduced function, as well as the societal burden due to costs of health care and lost work productivity. For the vast majority of people with LBP, no specific anatomical cause can be reliably identified. For these people with non-specific LBP there are numerous treatment options, few of which have been shown to be effective in reducing pain and disability. The muscle energy technique (MET) is a treatment technique used predominantly by osteopaths, physiotherapists and chiropractors which involves alternating periods of resisted muscle contractions and assisted stretching. To date it is unclear whether MET is effective in reducing pain and improving function in people with LBP.

OBJECTIVES

To examine the effectiveness of MET in the treatment of people with non-specific LBP compared with control interventions, with particular emphasis on subjective pain and disability outcomes.

SEARCH METHODS

CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, five other databases and two trials registers were searched from inception to May and June 2014 together with reference checking and citation searching of relevant systematic reviews.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials assessing the effect of MET on pain or disability in patients with non-specific LBP were included.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two authors independently assessed the risk of bias and extracted the data. Meta-analysis was performed where clinical homogeneity was sufficient. The quality of the evidence for each comparison was assessed with the GRADE approach.

MAIN RESULTS

There were 12 randomised controlled trials with 14 comparisons included in the review, with a total sample of 500 participants across all comparisons. Included studies were typically very small (n = 20 to 72), all except one were assessed as being at high risk of bias, and all reported short-term outcomes. For the purposes of pooling, studies were divided into seven clinically homogenous comparisons according to the patient population (acute or chronic LBP) and the nature of the control intervention. Most of the comparisons (five out of seven) included only one study, one comparison had two studies, and one comparison included seven studies.The meta-analyses provided low-quality evidence that MET provided no additional benefit when added to other therapies on the outcomes of chronic pain and disability in the short-term (weighted mean difference (WMD) for pain 0.00, 95% CI -2.97 to 2.98 on a 100-point scale; standardised mean difference (SMD) for disability -0.18, 95% CI -0.43 to 0.08, 7 studies, 232 participants). There was low-quality evidence that MET produced no clinically relevant differences in pain compared to sham MET (mean difference (MD) 14.20, 95% CI -10.14 to 38.54, 1 study, 20 participants). For the comparison of MET to other conservative therapies for acute non-specific LBP, there was very low-quality evidence of no clinically relevant difference for the outcomes of pain (MD -10.72, 95% CI -32.57 to 11.13, 2 studies, 88 participants) and functional status (MD 0.87, 95% CI -6.31 to 8.05, 1 study, 60 participants). For the comparison of MET to other conservative therapies for chronic non-specific LBP, there was low-quality evidence of no clinically relevant difference for the outcomes of pain (MD -9.70, 95% CI -20.20 to 0.80, 1 study, 30 participants) and functional status (MD -4.10, 95% CI -9.53 to 1.33, 1 study, 30 participants). There was low-quality evidence of no clinically relevant difference for the addition of MET to other interventions for acute non-specific LBP for the outcome of pain (MD -3, 95% CI -11.37 to 5.37, 1 study, 40 participants) and low-quality evidence of an effect in favour of MET for functional status (MD -17.6, 95% CI -27.05 to -8.15, 1 study, 40 participants). For chronic non-specific LBP, there was low-quality evidence of an effect in favour of MET for the addition of MET to other interventions for the outcomes of pain (MD -34.1, 95% CI -38.43 to -29.77, 1 study, 30 participants) and functional status (MD -22, 95% CI -27.41 to -16.59, 1 study, 30 participants). Lastly, there was low-quality evidence of no difference for the addition of MET to another manual intervention compared to the same intervention with other conservative therapies for the outcomes of pain (MD 5.20, 95% CI -3.03 to 13.43, 1 study, 20 participants) and functional status (MD 6.0, 95% CI -0.49 to 12.49, 1 study, 20 participants).No study reported on our other primary outcome of general well-being. Seven studies reported that no adverse events were observed, whereas the other five studies did not report any information on adverse events.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

The quality of research related to testing the effectiveness of MET is poor. Studies are generally small and at high risk of bias due to methodological deficiencies. Studies conducted to date generally provide low-quality evidence that MET is not effective for patients with LBP. There is not sufficient evidence to reliably determine whether MET is likely to be effective in practice. Large, methodologically-sound studies are necessary to investigate this question.

The association of depression and anxiety with pain: a study from NESDA

Chronic pain is commonly co-morbid with a depressive or anxiety disorder. Objective of this study is to examine the influence of depression, along with anxiety, on pain-related disability, pain intensity, and pain location in a large sample of adults with and without a depressive and/or anxiety disorder. The study population consisted of 2981 participants with a depressive, anxiety, co-morbid depressive and anxiety disorder, remitted disorder or no current disorder (controls). Severity of depressive and anxiety symptoms was also assessed. In separate multinomial regression analyses, the association of presence of depressive or anxiety disorders and symptom severity with the Chronic Pain Grade and location of pain was explored. Presence of a depressive (OR = 6.67; P<.001), anxiety (OR = 4.84; P<.001), or co-morbid depressive and anxiety disorder (OR = 30.26; P<.001) was associated with the Chronic Pain Grade. Moreover, symptom severity was associated with more disabling and severely limiting pain. Also, a remitted depressive or anxiety disorder showed more disabling and severely limiting pain (OR = 3.53; P<.001) as compared to controls. A current anxiety disorder (OR = 2.96; p<.001) and a co-morbid depressive and anxiety disorder (OR = 5.15; P<.001) were more strongly associated with cardio-respiratory pain, than gastro-intestinal or musculoskeletal pain. These findings remain after adjustment for chronic cardio respiratory illness. Patients with a current and remitted depressive and/or anxiety disorder and those with more severe symptoms have more disabling pain and pain of cardio-respiratory nature, than persons without a depressive or anxiety disorder. This warrants further research.

Occupational low back pain in primary and high school teachers: prevalence and associated factors

OBJECTIVE

The purposes of this study were to investigate the prevalence of and risk factors for low back pain (LBP) in teachers and to evaluate the association of individual and occupational characteristics with the prevalence of LBP.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, 586 asymptomatic teachers were randomly selected from 22 primary and high schools in Semnan city of Iran. Data on the personal, occupational characteristics, pain intensity, and functional disability as well as the prevalence and risk factors of LBP were collected using different questionnaires.

RESULTS

Point, last month, last 6 months, annual, and lifetime prevalence rates of LBP were 21.8%, 26.3%, 29.6%, 31.1%, and 36.5%, respectively. The highest prevalence was obtained for the high school teachers. The prevalence of LBP was significantly associated with age, body mass index, job satisfaction, and length of employment (P < .05 in all instances). Prolonged sitting and standing, working hours with computer, and correcting examination papers were the most aggravating factors, respectively. Rest and participation in physical activity were found to be the most relieving factors.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of LBP in teachers appears to be high. High school teachers were more likely to experience LBP than primary school teachers. Factors such as age, body mass index, length of employment, job satisfaction, and work-related activities were significant factors associated with LBP in this teacher population.

Multi-factorial causative model for back pain management; relating causative factors and mechanisms to injury presentations and designing time- and cost effective treatment thereof

Back pain resolution has not statistically improved over many years with some literature suggesting chronic back pain to be increasing. From a search of literature on causes, events, mechanisms, factors and treatment for back pain, a model is developed that relates causes of back injury to factors that result in pain through two primary mechanisms; muscle fatigue and muscle/tendon/connective tissue strain or sprain with other main mechanisms being diminished reactivity and strength, changes in tendon/tissue mechanical properties and fear of back pain recurrence/fear of movement following a back pain episode. The model highlights the fact that back pain/injury is multi-factorial with numerous circular relationships. Therefore treatment should also be multi-factorial; a combination of physical and psychological therapy with attention to mechanisms at work or in daily living that exacerbate the injury and delay recovery thereof. Exercise is one method that can reduce muscle imbalance, improve resilience to muscle fatigue, and address reactivity and strength. More importantly, eccentric exercise can rectify musculotendinous or connective tissue injury which plays a role in prolonging the back injury cycle. Posture is identified as a causative factor for back pain with the time exposure for posture representing the largest portion of daily activities. From literature and from clinical observation, treatment methods can be improved and incorporated into integrated multi-modal programs. An integrated exercise program that commences with motor control exercise and progresses into functional movement is suggested. Furthermore a modification of the McKenzie extension movement may benefit back injury rehabilitation for a majority of lower back pain patients. Otherwise the sit-to-stand movement is a regular and frequent exacerbating mechanism of back pain and likely continuously tears connective tissue during the movement thus prolonging the cycle of back pain and can be addressed instantly with a modification in sit-to-stand technique.