Back pain and health policy research: the what, why, how, who, and when

Optimizing treatment protocols for spinal manipulative therapy: study protocol for a randomized trial

BACKGROUND

Low back pain is a common and costly condition. Spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) is a treatment supported in some guidelines, although most clinical trials examining SMT report small effect sizes. Enhancing the effects of SMT requires an understanding of underlying mechanisms and a systematic approach to leverage understanding of mechanisms to create more effective treatment protocols that are scalable in clinical practice. Prior work has identified effects on spinal stiffness and lumbar multifidus activation as possible mechanisms. This project represents a refinement phase study within the context of a multi-phase optimization strategy (MOST) framework. Our goal is to identify an optimized SMT treatment protocol by examining the impact of using co-intervention exercise strategies that are proposed to accentuate SMT mechanisms. The optimized protocol can then be evaluated in confirmation phase clinical trials and implementation studies.

METHODS

A phased, factorial randomized trial design will be used to evaluate the effects of three intervention components provided in eight combinations on mechanistic (spinal stiffness and multifidus muscle activation) and patient-reported outcomes (pain and disability). All participants will receive two sessions then will be randomly assigned to receive six additional sessions (or no additional treatment) over the next three weeks with factorial combinations of additional SMT and exercise co-interventions (spine mobilizing and multifidus activating). Outcome assessments occur at baseline, and one week, four weeks, and three months after enrollment. Pre-specified analyses will evaluate main effects for treatment components as well as interaction effects.

DISCUSSION

Building on preliminary findings identifying possible mechanisms of effects for SMT, this trial represents the next phase in a multiphase strategy towards the ultimate goal of developing an optimized protocol for providing SMT to patients with LBP. If successful, the results of this trial can be tested in future clinical trials in an effort to produce larger treatment benefits and improve patient-centered outcomes for individuals with LBP.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02868034 . Registered on 16 August 2016.

Initial management decisions after a new consultation for low back pain: implications of the usage of physical therapy for subsequent health care costs and utilization

OBJECTIVES

To describe the utilization of physical therapy following a new primary care consultation for low back pain (LBP) and to examine the relations between physical therapy utilization and other variables with health care utilization and costs in the year after consultation.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort obtained from electronic medical records and insurance claims data.

SETTING

Single health care delivery system.

PARTICIPANTS

Individuals (N=2184) older than 18 years with a new consultation for LBP from 2004 to 2008.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients were categorized as receiving initial physical therapy management if care occurred within 14 days after consultation.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Total health care costs for all LBP-related care received in the year after consultation were calculated from claims data. Predictors of utilization of emergency care, advanced imaging, epidural injections, specialist visits, and surgery were identified using multivariate logistic regression. The generalized linear model was used to compare LBP-related costs based on physical therapy utilization and identify other cost determinants.

RESULTS

Initial physical therapy was received by 286 of the 2184 patients (13.1%), and was not a determinant of LBP-related health care costs or utilization of specific services in the year after consultation. Older age, mental health, or neck pain comorbidity and initial management with opioids were determinants of cost and several utilization outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Initial physical therapy management was not associated with increased health care costs or utilization of specific services following a new primary care LBP consultation. Additional research is needed to examine the cost consequences of initial management decisions made following a new consultation for LBP.

Assessing back pain: does the Oswestry Disability Questionnaire accurately measure function in ankylosing spondylitis?

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether the Oswestry Disability Questionnaire (ODQ) can be used to assess the degree of pain or disability in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

METHODS

The ODQ was administered to a cohort of patients with AS. The resulting pain scores were correlated to the conventional measures in AS, the Bath AS Disease Activity Index and Functional Index (BASDAI and BASFI), as well as the Total and Nocturnal Back Pain scores, and the patient global assessment score.

RESULTS

A total of 49 patients with AS were assessed (38 men, 11 women), mean age 40 years (range 17-68). The mean ODQ score was 40/100 (range 0-92), the mean BASDAI 3.7/10 (range 0-9.5), the mean BASFI 3.3/10 (range 0-9.7), the mean total back pain score 3.7/10 (range 0-10), and the mean patient global assessment score 3.6/10 (range 0-10). Correlation between the ODQ and the traditional AS outcome measures was very good, with a correlation coefficient of r = 0.73 (BASFI) and r = 0.70 (BASDAI). Correlations between the ODQ and the total back pain score (r = 0.70) and the patient self-reported global assessment (r = 0.61) were good.

CONCLUSION

The strong correlations between the ODQ and BASFI and BASDAI indicate that it identifies both activity and function domains in AS. This is the first demonstration of a role for this outcome measure in the assessment of patients with AS.

Can cross country differences in return-to-work after chronic occupational back pain be explained? An exploratory analysis on disability policies in a six country cohort study

INTRODUCTION

There are substantial differences in the number of disability benefits for occupational low back pain (LBP) among countries. There are also large cross country differences in disability policies. According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) there are two principal policy approaches: countries which have an emphasis on a compensation policy approach or countries with an emphasis on an reintegration policy approach. The International Social Security Association initiated this study to explain differences in return-to-work (RTW) among claimants with long term sick leave due to LBP between countries with a special focus on the effect of different disability policies.

METHODS

A multinational cohort of 2,825 compensation claimants off work for 3-4 months due to LBP was recruited in Denmark, Germany, Israel, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United States. Relevant predictors and interventions were measured at 3 months, one and 2 years after the start of sick leave. The main outcome measure was duration until sustainable RTW (i.e. working after 2 years). Multivariate analyses were conducted to explain differences in sustainable RTW between countries and to explore the effect of different disability policies.

RESULTS

Medical and work interventions varied considerably between countries. Sustainable RTW ranged from 22% in the German cohort up to 62% in the Dutch cohort after 2 years of follow-up. Work interventions and job characteristics contributed most to these differences. Patient health, medical interventions and patient characteristics were less important. In addition, cross-country differences in eligibility criteria for entitlement to long-term and/or partial disability benefits contributed to the observed differences in sustainable RTW rates: less strict criteria are more effective. The model including various compensation policy variables explained 48% of the variance.

CONCLUSIONS

Large cross-country differences in sustainable RTW after chronic LBP are mainly explained by cross-country differences in applied work interventions. Differences in eligibility criteria for long term disability benefits contributed also to the differences in RTW. This study supports OECD policy recommendations: Individual packages of work interventions and flexible (partial) disability benefits adapted to the individual needs and capacities are important for preventing work disability due to LBP.

The impact of the evolution of invasive surgical procedures for low back pain: a population based study of patient outcomes and hospital utilization

BACKGROUND

Low back pain (LBP) is a ubiquitous health problem in Western societies, and while clinical decision making for patients requiring hospitalization for LBP has changed significantly over the past two decades, knowledge of the net impact on patient outcomes and health care utilization is lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of changes in the medical control of lumbar back pain in Western Australia in terms of the rate of patient readmission and the total bed days associated with readmissions.

METHODS

A record linkage population-based study of hospitalization for LBP from 1980-2003 in Western Australia was performed. The rate of admission for LBP, changes in re-admission rates and number of bed days accrued 1 and 3 years post-initial admission over time adjusted for potential confounders was evaluated.

RESULTS

The annual rate of first-time hospitalization for LBP halved. The proportion of females admitted increased (+6%). The disease severity increased and the proportion of individuals having an invasive procedure also increased (+75%) over the study period. While rate of readmission for non-invasive procedures fell, readmission for invasive procedures increased over the study period. Overall, the number of bed days associated with readmission reduced over time.

CONCLUSION

Between 1980 and 2003, there has been a shift from non-invasive procedural treatments towards invasive techniques both at the time of initial hospitalization and upon subsequent readmission. While overall readmission rates were unaffected, there was a reduction in the number of bed days associated with readmissions.

Back pain: a National Health Priority Area in Australia?

The aim of the National Health Priority Area (NHPA) initiative is to promote cooperation between government and non-government organisations to monitor, report on and develop strategies to improve health outcomes for Australians. The seven existing NHPAs (cancer control, injury prevention and control, cardiovascular health, mental health, diabetes mellitus, asthma and musculoskeletal conditions) were selected on the basis of their profound burden on the health of Australians. Up to eighty per cent of Australians will experience back pain at some point in their lives and 10% will experience significant disability as a result. Back pain disrupts individuals' quality of life and accounts for an enormous cost to the community. Integrating back pain into the NHPA framework has many potential benefits, including more systematic development and implementation of programs aimed at minimising back pain-related disability by providing a focus for policy, legislation and public awareness; and promotion of best-practice management of the condition. A disadvantage of making back pain an NHPA is the risk that back pain management could become further medicalised and ineffective interventions could become more accepted. Coordinated action on back pain is needed, and integrating back pain into the NHPA framework is one solution. Informed decision making through consultation with key stakeholders is a necessary first step towards ensuring that favourable outcomes are achieved.

Delisting publicly funded community-based physical therapy services in Ontario, Canada: a 12-month follow-up study of the perceptions of clients and providers

Publicly funded community-based physical therapy (PT) services in Canada's most populous province of Ontario were partially delisted, or deinsured, in April 2005. Two previous studies examined the short-term effects from the client and provider perspectives; and in this study, we follow up with participants from these preceding studies to assess long-term consequences of this policy. Sixteen of 18 providers (89%) and 64 of 98 clients (65%) agreed to participate in a follow-up telephone interview. Our results indicate that 12 months following delisting, and despite government assurances that access would be preserved, clients rendered ineligible for publicly funded services report ongoing access barriers across Ontario. Clients in this study also express concern about their overall health and report an increased use of other insured health professionals (e.g., physicians) and services (e.g., hospitals). On the other hand, providers within the network of publicly funded clinics report an important decrease in demand for PT services, whereas those from other settings report little change. We conclude that delisting policies may have long-term consequences on uninsured or underinsured clients and that evidence-based policy planning is warranted to ensure that the goals of reform are aligned with the desired outcomes at the client, provider, and system levels.

Is it time for a population health approach to neck pain?

OBJECTIVE

Neck pain and its associated disorders (NPAD) cause significant health burden in the general population and after road traffic and occupational injury. Individual-level health care treatments have been well studied, but population-health approaches to this problem have not. We used a best-evidence synthesis to examine population-level approaches to the prevention and control of NPAD.

METHODS

The systematic review examined studies published between 1980 and 2006 that addressed the incidence, prevalence, risk factors, prevention, cost, assessment and classification, interventions, and course and prognostic factors for NPAD. Citations were screened for relevance, scientifically reviewed, and synthesized. Valid studies addressing public policies or population-level approaches to the prevention and control of NPAD were identified and used in the evidence synthesis.

RESULTS

Only 8 of the 552 scientifically admissible studies were considered relevant to a public or population health approach to preventing and controlling the burden of NPAD. For whiplash-associated disorders, active head restraints and seat backs were protective in rear-end collisions; insurance policies affected the incidence and recovery; government funding of multidisciplinary rehabilitation programs did not benefit recovery; and early intensive health care delayed recovery. In the workplace, 2 randomized trials failed to show any preventive effect for ergonomic interventions or physical training and stress management. One study documented the societal cost of neck pain.

CONCLUSIONS

There is little evidence on which to make public or population-level recommendations, despite the important public health burden and costs of NPAD. Population-level approaches to preventing and controlling NPAD should be investigated.

Rehabilitation services after total joint replacement in Ontario, Canada: can 'prehabilitation' programs mediate an increasing demand?

Total joint replacements (TJR) have emerged as a critical health policy issue. In particular, Canadian demand for these surgeries is forecast to grow annually by 8.7% in the next decade. Although the medical and surgical aspects of TJR have received considerable attention, very little research has explored the impact of increased TJR on the demand for rehabilitation services. In this study, we conducted seven focus group discussions across the province of Ontario (Canada) with multiple stakeholders (n=50) ranging from clinicians and administrators, to policy makers and researchers. Our results indicate that demand for rehabilitation following TJR is rising sharply and that there are three primary factors affecting such demand: (i) increase in the absolute number of TJR surgeries is increasing demand across the continuum of care; (ii) changing profile of clients whereby 'younger and active' groups are more willing to undergo surgery, and 'older and complex' groups are presenting with increased rates of medical complications and comorbidities; and (iii) widespread use of clinical pathways has increased requirements within the rehabilitation sector, but often without corresponding adjustments in levels of human resources. To align increasing demand with supply in the long term, participants offered strong support for health promotion and prevention programs, but they also highlighted the short-term benefits of implementing 'prehabilitation' programs for clients waiting for surgery. Overall, our results indicate that the demand for rehabilitation services after TJR is increasing and that innovative approaches to care delivery are required to align increasing demand with supply.

Reliability and agreement of 5 Ergo-Kit functional capacity evaluation lifting tests in subjects with low back pain

OBJECTIVE

To assess interrater reliability and agreement of 5 Ergo-Kit functional capacity evaluation lifting tests in subjects with low back pain (LBP).

DESIGN

Within-subjects design, with 2 repeated measurements.

SETTING

Academic medical center in The Netherlands.

PARTICIPANTS

Twenty-four subjects (10 men, 14 women) with LBP.

INTERVENTIONS

Not applicable.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Five Ergo-Kit lifting tests (2 isometric, 3 dynamic) were assessed on 2 occasions (t1, t2), by 2 different raters (R1, R2). The interval between the test sessions was 3 days. Interrater reliability level was expressed with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and the level of agreement between raters with the standard error (SE) of measurement.

RESULTS

ICCs means (reliability) of isometric and dynamic Ergo-Kit lifting tests ranged from .94 to .97, and SE of measurement values (agreement) ranged from 1.9 to 8.6 kg.

CONCLUSIONS

There was good reliability and agreement between raters of the isometric and dynamic Ergo-Kit lifting tests in subjects with LBP, which supports the use of these tests to assess functional lifting capacity.

Improving return to work research

BACKGROUND

Despite considerable multidisciplinary research on return to work (RTW), there has been only modest progress in implementation of study results, and little change in overall rates of work disability in developed countries.

METHODS

Thirty RTW researchers, representing over 20 institutions, assembled to review the current state of the art in RTW research, to identify promising areas for further development, and to provide direction for future investigations.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

Six major themes were selected as priority areas: early risk prediction; psychosocial, behavioral and cognitive interventions; physical treatments; the challenge of implementing evidence in the workplace context; effective methods to engage multiple stakeholders; and identification of outcomes that are relevant to both RTW stakeholders and different phases of the RTW process. Understanding and preventing delayed RTW will require application of new concepts and study designs, better measures of determinants and outcomes, and more translational research. Greater stakeholder involvement and commitment, and methods to address the unique challenges of each situation are required.

Clinical guidelines and policies: can they improve emergency department pain management?

The prevalence of pain in patients presenting to Emergency Departments (ED) has been well documented by both Cordell and Johnston. Equally well documented has been the apparent failure to adequately control that pain. In 1990 Selbst found that patients with long bone fractures received little analgesia in the ED, and Ngai, et al., showed that the under-treatment of pain continued after discharge. In a prospective study, Ducharme and Barber found that up to one third of patients presented with severe pain and were often unrelieved at discharge. Even though specific patient subgroups appear to be at greater risk, all patients are potential victims of oligoanalgesia - the under-treatment of pain. Despite an ever increasing volume of research about pain in emergency medicine, dissemination of relevant information with widespread change in practice patterns has not been witnessed. Recent studies continue to affirm that pain management in the ED is suboptimal.