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Yadav S, Gold LS, Zaidi QH, Hwang R, Lu L, Wang G. Spinal fusion surgery use among adults with low back pain enrolled in a digital musculoskeletal program: an observational study. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2024; 25:520. [PMID: 38970032 PMCID: PMC11225358 DOI: 10.1186/s12891-024-07573-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To compare 12-month spinal fusion surgery rates in the setting of low back pain among digital musculoskeletal (MSK) program participants versus a comparison cohort who only received usual care. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective cohort study with propensity score matched comparison cohort using commercial medical claims data representing over 100 million commercially insured lives. METHODS All study subjects experienced low back pain between January 2020 and December 2021. Digital MSK participants enrolled in the digital MSK low back program between January 2020 and December 2021. Non-participants had low back pain related physical therapy (PT) between January 2020 and December 2021. Digital MSK participants were matched to non-participants with similar demographics, comorbidities and baseline MSK-related medical care use. Spinal fusion surgery rates at 12 months post participation were compared. RESULTS Compared to non-participants, digital MSK participants had lower rates of spinal fusion surgery in the post-period (0.7% versus 1.6%; p < 0.001). Additionally, in the augmented inverse probability weighting (AIPW) model, digital MSK participants were found to have decreased odds of undergoing spinal fusion surgery (adjusted odds ratio: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.51-0.81). CONCLUSIONS This study provides evidence that participation in a digital MSK program is associated with a lower rate of spinal fusion surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandhya Yadav
- Clinical Research, Hinge Health, Inc., 455 Market Street, San Francisco, CA, 94105, USA.
| | - Laura S Gold
- Clinical Learning, Evidence and Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Raymond Hwang
- Clinical Research, Hinge Health, Inc., 455 Market Street, San Francisco, CA, 94105, USA
| | - Louie Lu
- Clinical Research, Hinge Health, Inc., 455 Market Street, San Francisco, CA, 94105, USA
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Wang G, Lu L, Gold LS, Bailey JF. Opioid Initiation Within One Year After Starting a Digital Musculoskeletal (MSK) Program: An Observational, Longitudinal Study with Comparison Group. J Pain Res 2023; 16:2609-2618. [PMID: 37533561 PMCID: PMC10390711 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s412081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In-person, conservative care may decrease opioid use for chronic musculoskeletal (MSK) pain, but the impact of digitally delivered conservative care on opioid use is unknown. This study examines associations between a digital MSK program and opioid initiation and prescriptions among opioid naive adults with chronic MSK pain. Methods This observational study used commercial medical and pharmacy claims data to compare digital MSK program members to matched physical therapy (PT) patients. Outcomes were any opioid prescriptions and opioid prescriptions per 100 participants within the 12-months after starting a digital MSK program. After propensity-score matching, we conducted multivariate regression models that controlled for demographic, comorbidity, and baseline MSK healthcare use. Results The study included 4195 members and 4195 matched PT patients. For opioid initiation, 7.89% (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 7.07%, 8.71%) of members had opioid prescriptions within 12 months after starting the digital MSK program versus 13.64% (95% CI: 12.60%, 14.67%) of matched PT patients (p < 0.001). Members had significantly fewer opioid prescriptions (16.73 per 100 participants; 95% CI: 14.11, 19.36) versus PT patients (22.36 per 100 participants; 95% CI: 19.99, 24.73). Members had lower odds (OR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.45, 0.60) of initiating opioids and significantly fewer prescriptions per 100 participants (beta: -6.40, 95% CI: -9.88, -2.93) versus PT patients after controlling for available confounding factors. Conclusion An MSK program that delivers conservative care digitally may be a promising approach for decreasing opioid initiation among individuals with chronic MSK pain given the limitations of the observational design and matching on only available covariates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace Wang
- Clinical Research, Hinge Health, Inc, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Louie Lu
- Clinical Research, Hinge Health, Inc, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Laura S Gold
- Clinical Learning, Evidence and Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jeannie F Bailey
- Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Scheer J, Areias AC, Molinos M, Janela D, Moulder R, Lains J, Bento V, Yanamadala V, Dias Correia F, Costa F. Engagement and Utilization of a Complete Remote Digital Care Program for Musculoskeletal Pain Management in Urban and Rural Areas Across the United States: Longitudinal Cohort Study. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2023; 11:e44316. [PMID: 36735933 PMCID: PMC10132051 DOI: 10.2196/44316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions are the number one cause of disability worldwide. Digital care programs (DCPs) for MSK pain management have arisen as alternative care delivery models to circumvent challenges in accessibility of conventional therapy. Despite the potential of DCPs to reduce inequities in accessing care, the outcomes of such interventions in rural and urban populations have yet to be studied. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to assess the impact of urban or rural residency on engagement and clinical outcomes after a multimodal DCP for MSK pain. METHODS This study consists of an ad hoc analysis of a decentralized single-arm investigation into engagement and clinical-related outcomes after a multimodal DCP in patients with MSK conditions. Patients were coded according to their zip codes to a specific rural-urban commuting area code and grouped into rural and urban cohorts. Changes in their engagement and clinical outcomes from baseline to program end were assessed. Latent growth curve analysis was performed to estimate change trajectories adjusting for the following covariates: age, gender, BMI, employment status, and pain acuity. Outcomes included engagement, self-reported pain, and the results of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item, Patient Health Questionnaire 9-item, and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment scales. A minimum clinically important difference (MCID) of 30% was considered for pain. RESULTS Patients with urban and rural residency across the United States participated in the program (n=9992). A 73.8% (7378/9992) completion rate was observed. Both groups reported high satisfaction scores and similar engagement with exercise sessions, with rural residents showing higher engagement with educational content (P<.001) and higher program completion rates (P=.02). All groups showed a significant improvement in all clinical outcomes, including pain, mental health, and work productivity, without statistically significant intergroup differences. The percentage of patients meeting the MCID was similar in both groups (urban: 67.1%, rural: 68.3%; P=.30). CONCLUSIONS This study advocates for the utility of a DCP in improving access to MSK care in urban and rural areas alike, showcasing its potential to promote health equity. High engagement, satisfaction, and completion rates were noted in both groups, as well as significant improvements in clinical outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04092946; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04092946.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Scheer
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | | | | | | | - Robert Moulder
- Institute for Cognitive Science, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, United States
| | - Jorge Lains
- Rovisco Pais Medical and Rehabilitation Centre, Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra University, Coimbra, Portugal
| | | | - Vijay Yanamadala
- Sword Health Inc, Draper, UT, United States
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hartford Healthcare Medical Group, Westport, CT, United States
- Department of Surgery, Frank H Netter School of Medicine, Quinnipiac University, Hamden, CT, United States
| | - Fernando Dias Correia
- Sword Health Inc, Draper, UT, United States
- Neurology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário do Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Gupta L, Najm A, Kabir K, De Cock D. Digital health in musculoskeletal care: where are we heading? BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2023; 24:192. [PMID: 36918856 PMCID: PMC10012296 DOI: 10.1186/s12891-023-06309-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders launched a Collection on digital health to get a sense of where the wind is blowing, and what impact these technologies are and will have on musculoskeletal medicine. This editorial summarizes findings and focuses on some key topics, which are valuable as digital health establishes itself in patient care. Elements discussed are digital tools for the diagnosis, prognosis and evaluation of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases, coupled together with advances in methodologies to analyse health records and imaging. Moreover, the acceptability and validity of these digital advances is discussed. In sum, this editorial and the papers presented in this article collection on Digital health in musculoskeletal care will give the interested reader both a glance towards which future we are heading, and which new challenges these advances bring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Latika Gupta
- Department of Rheumatology, Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust, Wolverhampton, UK.,City Hospital, Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust, Birmingham, UK.,Division of Musculoskeletal and Dermatological Sciences, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Aurélie Najm
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Sir Graeme Davies Building Level 4, Glasgow, UK.,NHS Royal Alexandra Hospital, Glasgow, UK
| | - Koroush Kabir
- Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Diederik De Cock
- Biostatistics and Medical Informatics Research Group, Department of Public Health, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
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Long-Term Clinical Outcomes of a Remote Digital Musculoskeletal Program: An Ad Hoc Analysis from a Longitudinal Study with a Non-Participant Comparison Group. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10:healthcare10122349. [PMID: 36553873 PMCID: PMC9778537 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10122349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Digital solutions have emerged as an alternative to conventional physiotherapy, particularly for chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP) management; however, its long-term effects remain largely unexplored. This study focuses on patients reporting CMP, assessing 1-year clinical outcomes after a multimodal digital care program (DCP) versus non-participants, who enrolled in the program but never engaged in a single exercise session or partook of the educational content made available to them. In this longitudinal study ad-hoc analysis, pain and functionality outcomes at 1-year reassessment were studied, focusing on the odds of reaching minimal clinically important difference (MCID) and, overall average reduction in both outcomes. Healthcare utilization was additionally studied within the same period. From 867 individuals allocated to the study, 460 completed the 1-year reassessment (intervention group: 310; comparison group: 150). The intervention group presented sustained and greater pain reduction until 1-year reassessment than the comparison group, reflecting greater odds ratio of achieving the MCID both in pain and functionality (1.90 95% CI: 1.27-2.86, p = 0.002 and 2.02 95% CI: 1.31-3.12, p = 0.001, respectively). A lower healthcare utilization during the 1-year follow-up was observed in the intervention group than in the comparison group. This study suggests that a digital CMP program may have a lasting impact on improved pain and functionality in patients with CMP.
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Costa F, Janela D, Molinos M, Moulder R, Bento V, Lains J, Scheer J, Yanamadala V, Cohen S, Dias Correia F. Depression and work productivity: insights from a longitudinal cohort study on digital care programs for Musculoskeletal conditions. J Med Internet Res 2022; 24:e38942. [PMID: 35714099 PMCID: PMC9361146 DOI: 10.2196/38942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Comorbidity between musculoskeletal (MSK) pain and depression is highly common and associated with greater symptom burden and greater loss of work productivity. Multimodal care programs tackling both physical and mental health components may maximize productivity recovery and return to work. Digital delivery of such programs can facilitate access, ensure continuity of care, and enhance patient engagement. OBJECTIVE Assess the impact of a completely remote multimodal digital care program (DCP) for MSK pain on mental health and work-related outcomes stratified by baseline depression levels. METHODS The present study is an ad-hoc analysis of an interventional, single-arm, cohort study of individuals with MSK pain undergoing a DCP. Three subgroups with different baseline depression severity levels were created based on the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9): cluster 1 (<5: minimal depression); cluster 2 (5-10: mild depression) and cluster 3 (≥10: moderate depression). The mean change between baseline and end-of-program (8-12 weeks) on depression, anxiety, fear-avoidance beliefs, work productivity and activity impairment and adherence was assessed across subgroups. Outcome changes were analyzed by latent growth curve analysis. RESULTS From a total of 7785 eligible participants, 6137 (78.8%) were included in Cluster 1, 1158 (14.9%) in cluster 2 and 490 (6.3%) in cluster 3. Significant improvements in depression and anxiety scores were observed in clusters 2 and 3 but not cluster 1, with average end-of-the program scores in clusters 2 and 3 below the initially defined cluster thresholds (5 and 10 for clusters 2 and 3, respectively). All clusters reported significant improvements in productivity impairment scores (mean changes from -16.82, 95%CI -20.32 to -13.42 in cluster 1 to -20.10, 95%CI -32.64 to -7.57 in cluster 3). Higher adherence was associated with higher improvements in depression in clusters 2 and 3, and with greater recovery in activities of daily living in cluster 3. Overall patient satisfaction was 8.59/10.0 (SD 1.74). CONCLUSIONS A multimodal DCP was able to promote improvements in productivity impairment scores comparable to those previously reported in the literature, even in participants with comorbid depression and anxiety. These results reinforce the need to follow a biopsychosocial framework to optimize outcomes in patients with MSK pain. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04092946; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04092946.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabíola Costa
- SWORD Health Inc, 65 E Wadsworth Park Drive, Suite 230, Draper, US
| | - Dora Janela
- SWORD Health Inc, 65 E Wadsworth Park Drive, Suite 230, Draper, US
| | - Maria Molinos
- SWORD Health Inc, 65 E Wadsworth Park Drive, Suite 230, Draper, US
| | - Robert Moulder
- Institute for Cognitive Science, University of Colorado, Boulder, US
| | - Vírgilio Bento
- SWORD Health Inc, 65 E Wadsworth Park Drive, Suite 230, Draper, US
| | - Jorge Lains
- Rovisco Pais Medical and Rehabilitation Centre, Tocha, PT.,Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra University, Coimbra, PT
| | - Justin Scheer
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, US
| | - Vijay Yanamadala
- Department of Surgery, Quinnipiac University Frank H. Netter School of Medicine, Hamden, US.,Department of Neurosurgery, Hartford Healthcare Medical Group, Westport, US.,SWORD Health Inc, 65 E Wadsworth Park Drive, Suite 230, Draper, US
| | - Steven Cohen
- Departments of Anesthesiology & Critical Care Medicine, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Neurology, and Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, US.,Departments of Anesthesiology and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Anesthesiology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Maryland, USA, Bethesda, US
| | - Fernando Dias Correia
- SWORD Health Inc, 65 E Wadsworth Park Drive, Suite 230, Draper, US.,Neurology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário do Porto, Porto, PT
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