腰椎稳定性训练对曼性非特异性腰痛患者的治疗效果

目的分析探讨腰椎稳定性训练方法对于慢性非特异性腰痛病人的临床效果。方法将我院于2006-2009年收治的30例慢性的非特异性的腰痛患者作为本组实验的研究对象,将30患者随机分成对照组与实验组各15例,对照组患者进行磁热治疗,实验组患者则采取腰椎稳定性的训练方法进行治疗,对两组患者治疗前后疼痛和功能障碍的程度进行评价。结果两组患者经过相应的治疗,疼痛与功能障碍均有了一定的改善,但实验组腰痛患者疼痛与功能障碍的改善情况同对照组相比更加明显,P〈O．05。结论腰椎稳定性训练方法是治疗慢性非特异性腰痛的一种有效方法,可以减轻患者的疼痛程度,改善患者的功能障碍,具有很高的临床应用价值。     

Prevalence of psychopathology in acute and chronic low back pain patients

This study assessed the differential prevalence rates of psychopathology in chronic and acute low back pain patients. Psychopathology was assessed with the Structured Clinical Interview for the DSM-III-R (SCID). The results showed that chronic low back pain patients (n=90), had much higher rates of psychopathology than did patients in the acute back pain group (n=90), and much higher than general population base rates. In particular, chronic low back pain patients had high rates of major depression, substance abuse, and personality disorders. Moreover, the chronic low back patients also had high rates of premorbid psychopathology. It was concluded that psychopathology is a major concomitant of chronic low pack pain, and that treating the psychological problems, along with the physical aspects of the chronic low back pain may increase the patient's chance of a successful therapeutic outcome.     

Living with opioids: A qualitative study with patients with chronic low back pain

BackgroundOpioids are one of the most prescribed treatments for chronic pain (CP). However, their long‐term use (>3 months) has been surrounded by controversy, due to loss of beneficial effects.ObjectiveTo explore the experiences of people with chronic non‐malignant low back pain in Spain undergoing long‐term treatment with opioids.DesignQualitative study.Setting and participantsWe conducted 15 semi‐structured interviews at the Pain Clinic with persons taking opioid treatment.MethodsThe interviews were analysed by qualitative content analysis as described by Graneheim and Lundman, and developed categories and themes discussed in light of a biomedicalization framework.Main resultsWe developed one overarching theme—Living with opioids: dependence and autonomy while seeking relief—and three categories: The long pathway to opioids due to the invisibility of pain; Opioids: from blind date to a long‐term relationship; and What opioids cannot fix.DiscussionThe long and difficult road to find effective treatments was a fundamental part of coping with pain, involving long‐term relationships with the health system. This study reflects the benefits, and drawbacks of opioids, along with struggles to maintain autonomy and make decisions while undergoing long‐term treatment with opioids. The paper also highlights the consequences of pain in the economy, family and social life of patients.ConclusionsPatients'' experiences should be considered to a greater extent by health‐care professionals when giving information about opioids and setting treatment goals. Greater consideration of the social determinants of health that affect CP experiences might lead to more effective solutions to CP.     

Changes in psychopathology following functional restoration of chronic low back pain patients: A prospective study

Past research has consistently demonstrated high rates of psychopathology in patients disabled with chronic low back pain. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate whether functional restoration treatment of these patients would lead to significant changes in psychopathology. Fifty-six patients were evaluated for current psychiatric disorders, using a structured clinical interview for DSM-III-R disorders, upon admission to a comprehensive 3 week functional restoration program, and again at 6 months following their rehabilitation. Results clearly documented significant decreases in prevalence rates of psychiatric disorders, particularly somatoform pain disorder and major depression. Such findings demonstrate that effective rehabilitation can significantly decrease the high rates of psychopathology commonly found in chronic low back pain patients.     

Health economic assessment of behavioural rehabilitation in chronic low back pain: a randomised clinical trial

The aim of this cost-effectiveness study was to compare a combined operant programme plus cognitive/relaxation programme with an operant programme plus attention-control and to compare both programmes with a waiting-list control group and with operant rehabilitation provided, as usual, by the same rehabilitation centre. One hundred and forty eight patients with chronic low back pain were randomly assigned to the different conditions. The economic endpoints were the costs of the programme and other health care utilisation, costs for the patient, and indirect costs associated with production losses due to low back pain. The effects were measured in terms of global assessment of change and utilities, using rating scale and standard gamble methods. The 3-year study determined that adding a cognitive component to an operant treatment did not lead to significant differences in costs and improvement in quality of life when compared with the operant treatment alone. Compared with the common individual rehabilitation therapy it can be concluded that the same effects can be reached at the same or lower costs with a shorter, more intense standardised group programme. The operant treatment alone is more effective than providing no treatment in the waiting-list control group. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Physical and psychosocial correlates of test-retest isometric torque variability in patients with chronic low back pain

Variability in trunk torque production has been suggested as a means of detecting submaximal effort in the assessment of chronic low back pain. Several investigations question the validity of using torque variability to detect submaximal efforts in patients with back injuries. However, few investigations have studied the correlates of text-retest torque variability in clinical populations. The present study investigated psychological distress, disability/flexibility/pain, and symptom magnification correlates of test-retest torque variability in chronic low back pain patients. Contrary to previous studies, psychological distress, tendency to report symptoms, and pain were negatively correlated with measures of torque variability. The findings indicate the potential for psychological variables to influence torque production, but on the whole provide little strong support for the use of test-retest torque variability as a means of detecting submaximal performance.     

Individual and occupational determinants of low back pain according to various definitions of low back pain

OBJECTIVES: To test associations between non-specific low back pain and several risk factors when definitions of low back pain vary. DESIGN/SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: A cross sectional study was set up in 1991, 725 workers from four occupational sectors answered a self administrated questionnaire including the Nordic questionnaire and questions about intensity of pain and individual and occupational factors. MAIN RESULTS: Prevalence of low back pain varied from 8% to 45% according to the definition used. Psychosomatic problems, bending or carrying loads were often associated to low back pain, whereas other risk factors were related to some specific dimensions of the disorder. CONCLUSIONS: Risk factors of low back pain vary with the definition. This could explain inconsistencies found in literature reviews. To be able to compare data, it seems important to be precise what definition is used and to use comparable questionnaires.     

Effects of work-oriented fitness courses in lumberjacks with low back pain

This prospective controlled study examined changes in fitness, health, and work ability after a work-oriented physical fitness course arranged for lumberjacks experiencing low back pain but being still at work. The 1-week courses were designed to activate exercising during leisure time and consisted of fitness tests, various types of exercise, and lectures. Eighty-seven lumberjacks participated in the courses and 61 subjects served as controls. Questionnaire data obtained before and 1 year after the course were available for 78 (90%) of the course participants and 41 (67%) of the controls. In the intervention group, perceived fitness, health, and work ability improved and ergonomic strain at work decreased. Both groups reported an increased frequency of leisure-time physical activity. There were between- group differences in the development of fitness, health, distress symptoms, and subjective work ability, whereas the changes in physical activity, back and musculoskeletal symptoms, or ergonomic strain did not differ between the groups. In a 6-month follow up, muscle function improved in the intervention group, but no change was observed in aerobic capacity. There was a tendency of the number of back pain-related sickness leaves, but not of their duration, to develop more favorably in the intervention group, when data from the year before and the year after the course were compared.     

A comparison of isometric strength and dynamic lifting capacity in men with work-related low back injuries

Job classification, return to work status, and job placement are determined by the results of lifting capacity tests. Lifting capacity is often assessed by maximum static or dynamic physical exertions. The purpose of this study was to compare maximum isometric lifting strength with maximum dynamic lifting capacity in subjects with work-related low back injury. Twenty-seven men performed five dynamic lifting tasks and two isometric strength tests. The mean Pearson product-moment correlation between maximum isometric lifting strength measurements and maximum dynamic lifting capacity measurements was .51 with a range of .30–.73. The results indicate low to moderate associations between isometric strength measurements and lifting capacity suggesting that estimates of functional lifting capacity should not be based on static measurements alone. Dynamic lift tests are often a better simulation of the task being assessed and may be more appropriate for a back-injured population.     

Interrelations of risk factors and low back pain in scaffolders

OBJECTIVES—To assess with a cross sectional study the interrelations between physical, psychosocial, and individual risk factors and different end points of low back pain.
METHODS—In total, 229 scaffolders and 59 supervisors completed a questionnaire about manual handling of materials, awkward back posture, strenuous arm position, perceived exertion, psychosocial load, need for recovery, and general health. Physical load at the worksite was also measured with many frequent observations. Interrelations between risk factors and their relation with four end points of low back pain were investigated.
RESULTS—Interrelations were strong among self reported determinants of physical load but showed an inverted trend for both age and total working experience, which could indicate the presence of a healthy worker effect. Weak relations existed between variables of psychosocial and physical load. The multivariate analyses showed a significant relation between high manual handling of materials, moderate perceived general health, high job demands, and low back pain in the past 12 months. Chronic low back pain was significantly correlated with high perceived exertion and moderate perceived general health. Severe low back pain was significantly correlated with awkward back postures, high need for recovery, and high job demands. Finally, low back pain with perceived disability was significantly related to strenuous shoulder positions and moderate perceived general health. All end points of low back pain were consistently associated with physical load whereas psychosocial aspects showed a more diverse pattern.
CONCLUSIONS—The findings of this study suggest that work related risk factors may vary according to different definitions of low back pain. Distinct patterns of risk factors might enhance different expressions of it. Scaffolders are a group at high risk of developing persistent forms of low back pain.


Keywords: interrelations; low back pain; risk factors     

Involving users in low back pain research

Objective To involve users in the design of a research project that aims at describing a 12‐month course of low back pain in an adult population sample (epidemiological strand), and to determine how patient and professional perceptions of low back pain and its treatment relate to the use of health‐care and to subsequent outcome (qualitative strand). Design Three focus groups were organized in the preparatory phase of the project with general practitioners, other health professionals and low back pain sufferers. Issues pertaining to the experience of living with, or treating low back pain were explored and users were asked to identify relevant research questions for consideration within the study. Findings The focus groups revealed tensions between involving users as co‐researchers for design issues and their role as sufferers and health professionals who want to share their narrative accounts of low back pain. The group discussions produced a wealth of material for analysis, but no explicitly stated research topics. Three key themes and the process of user involvement in the focus groups are discussed. Conclusions The focus group format could be restrictive in that it allows for detailed exchange between participants, but is insufficiently geared towards the production of a research agenda. We draw conclusions as to possible approaches for user involvement in health services research design.     

运动疗法治疗慢性腰腿痛效果分析

目的比较腰椎间盘突出与腰椎间管狭窄运动疗法的治疗效果。方法采取自愿报名的办法,在社区选择明确诊断的腰椎间盘突出患者和腰椎间管狭窄患者各60例,进行腰背部活动度、腰背部肌力和腰背部肌肉耐力训练,时间1年,干预前后分别进行疼痛强度、身体损害程度、生活功能障碍指数评定。结果运动治疗后,腰椎间盘突出患者在疼痛程度、身体损害程度、活动能力、社会参与能力方面明显改善,腰椎间管狭窄患者改善不明显。结论运动疗法可以巩固腰椎间盘突出症的治疗效果,是在社区进行推广,而运动疗法对于腰椎间管狭窄者效果不明显。     

Exploring the experiences of partners who live with a chronic low back pain sufferer

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a condition that causes individuals considerable distress. It also presents a significant challenge to the health service and is often viewed by clinicians as frustrating to manage. The purpose of the present paper is to explore the experiences of individuals in the immediate social sphere of those suffering from CLBP and their role in care-giving for their partner. An approach was taken using two qualitative research methods to gather data: journals and focus groups. Findings from the journals and the focus groups revealed issues for partners of CLBP sufferers in relation to living with their partners' pain, perceptions of healthcare and the dominance of illness over social contacts. Key themes revealed the complex emotions experienced by respondents, and underlined the need for their role as care givers and partners to be acknowledged by healthcare professionals. The data also highlighted respondents' desire to have greater involvement in their partners' healthcare, which includes provision of relevant information and involvement with therapeutic interventions. The findings emphasise the need for healthcare professionals to include and acknowledge partners and others in the immediate social sphere of patients in the management of chronic conditions.     

Occupational low back pain: Recovery curves and factors associated with disability

Review of the literature shows significant variation in the rates of recovery from an episode of low back pain (LBP). Two hundred and seven workers filing a “First Report of Injury” form with the Vermont Department of Labor and Industry were contacted 3 months post-injury to determine time until first return-to-work, work status, lost workdays, and factors such as pain intensity and satisfaction with health care. Overall, 69.4% of the workers had first returned to work within 1 week, 85.9% within 1 month, and 93.7% by 3 months. Three months post-injury, 8.7% of these workers were not working (disabled) due to their LBP. On a scale of 0–10, the disabled reported substantially more pain in the past few days (p=.0001) and a higher level of “worst pain since injury” (p=.004). Those disabled were less likely to feel they had received the right treatment for their LBP (p=.05). Researchers and clinicians need a clear understanding of recovery curves to assess the effectiveness of any interventions.     

Chronic low back pain among tobacco farmers in southern Brazil

Background:

Despite tobacco farming involving intensive manual labor, chronic low back pain (CLBP) prevalence and associated factors are unknown among this occupational group.

Methods:

This was a cross-sectional study conducted in southern Brazil. A random sample of tobacco farmers was interviewed. Socioeconomic and individual characteristics, occupational tasks, workloads, and comorbidities were investigated. Chronic low back pain prevalence was described in relation to independent variables, and associations were examined with Poisson regression.

Results:

Chronic low back pain prevalence was 8·4%. Increasing age, rearing two or more species of livestock (PR 1·65), exposure to tasks that require heavy physical exertion (PR 2·00), working in awkward postures (PR 1·36), green tobacco sickness (GTS) (PR 1·63), pesticide poisoning (PR 2·37), and minor psychiatric disorders (PR 2·55) were associated with CLBP.

Conclusions:

This study found that CLBP is a relevant health problem among tobacco farmers and highlights understudied risk factors such as pesticide poisoning and GTS. Policies to minimize exposure to physiological and chemical workloads in tobacco planting to prevent CLBP are needed. Health professionals should be trained to diagnose and prevent acute low back pain episodes and thus prevent/minimize limitations and disabilities due to CLBP.     

Randomized study of the application of single motor unit biofeedback training to chronic low back pain

The application of single motor unit biofeedback training (SMUBT) techniques was compared to traditional therapies in treating chronic low back pain (CLBP). Thirty-six volunteers (who experienced daily pain for 7 years in the T8 to S1 area) were randomly assigned to one of three treatments; SMUBT, relaxation training, or an educational program. The pain level and electromyographic activity of all subjects were assessed by a person blind to the treatment; before, immediately after, and 90 days after treatment. The SMUBT group reported immediately decreased pain which was maintained at 90 days, the relaxation group showed no changes, while the education group reported decreased pain at 90 days. The EMG results showed decreased amplitude and bilateral differences for the SMUBT and education groups. A 4-year follow-up revealed the SMUBT group remained symptom free. Implications and discussion of the results concludes the paper.     

Predicting post treatment spinal strength and flexibility in work-disabled low back pain patients

This study examined whether posttreatment trunk strength and flexibility could be predicted from initial trunk strength and flexibility, age, gender, pain severity, diagnosis, length of work disability, return-to-work expectations, anxiety, and fear of reinjury among a group of 96 injured workers with chronic occupational low back pain who completed a multidisciplinary work rehabilitation program. The results indicate that initial average torque in trunk extension, age, gender, and average pain severity contribute significantly to prediction of final average torque in trunk extension. Initial average torque in trunk flexion, age, and gender contributed significantly to prediction of final average torque in trunk flexion, and age and initial range of motion contributed significantly to the prediction of final trunk range of motion. The results indicate that prediction of trunk strength and range of motion can be accomplished from measures of trunk strength and flexibility and pain obtained prior to the onset of rehabilitation. Psychological measures were not predictive of posttreatment trunk strength and flexibility. The ability to predict posttreatment trunk strength should facilitate clinical decision making in these complex cases.     

Cohort study of occupational risk factors of low back pain in construction workers

OBJECTIVES—To identify work related risk factors of future low back pain (LBP) in a cohort of construction workers free of LBP at the start of follow up.
METHODS—The Hamburg construction worker study comprises 571 male construction workers who have undergone two comprehensive interview and physical examination surveys. A cohort of 285 subjects without LBP at baseline was identified. After a follow up of 3 years, the 1 year prevalence of self reported LBP was determined in the 230 men followed up (80.7%). Prevalence ratios (PRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) of LBP at follow up according to self reported work tasks of construction workers measured at baseline were estimated from Cox's regression models which were adjusted for age, and anthropometric measures.
RESULTS—At follow up 71 out of 230 workers (30.9%) reported LBP during the preceding 12 months. Four work tasks (scaffolding, erecting roof structures, sawing wood, laying large sandstones) with an increased risk of 1 year prevalence of LBP at follow up were further evaluated. After further adjustment for occupation the relative risk was increased for workers who had reported 2 hour/shifts laying large sandstones (PR=2.6; 95% CI 1.1 to 6.5). Work load of bricklayers was additionally estimated by an index on stone load (high exposure: PR=4.0; 95% CI 0.8 to 19.8), and an index for laying huge bricks/blocks (yes/no: PR=1.7; 95% CI 0.5 to 5.7).
CONCLUSIONS—The results suggest that self reported differences in brick characteristics (size and type of stone) and temporal aspects of the work of bricklayers (average hours per shift laying specified stones) can predict the future prevalence of LBP. The data have to be interpreted with caution because multiple risk factors were tested.


Keywords: construction industry; cohort studies; low back pain     

Functional restoration for chronic low back pain: Changes in depression,cognitive distortion,and disability

In the present study, 107 patients (72 males and 35 females) completed self-report measures of depression, distortion, disability, and pain intensity at three points during their rehabilitation: (1) admission to a 3-week comprehensive functional restoration program, (2) discharge from the comprehensive phase, and (3) 4–6 weeks later at their first post-program evaluation. Various range-of-motion measures were also collected at these same times using inclinometry. Results demonstrated significant improvements on all measures which were maintained into follow-up. Patients were also subsequently grouped into depressed and non-depressed at admission, and both groups demonstrated significant improvement across time. Additionally, patients were divided into high and low distortion groups. High general cognitive distortion patients did not show improvement on 3 of the 5 range of motion, or pain intensity scores, although they did improve on their depression, distortion, and disability scores. Findings also suggested thatlow back pain-related cognitive distortion may be considered a state or situational factor, whereasgeneral cognitive distortion appears to be more of a trait characteristic.     

Overdiagnosis and overtreatment of low back pain: Long-term effects

Low back pain and subsequent disability remain a concern in terms of both cost and impact upon industry let alone the adverse effects on the patients involved. The causes of low back pain remain elusive. There has been extensive focus on the intervertebral disc with treatment ranging from passive modalities to multiple surgery. Current experience suggests that misinformation, inadequate patient examination, medication abuse, over use of passive modalities, focus on pain rather than function and excessive reliance on radiological imaging and specialist referrals are contributing factors. Indeed, one is drawn to the conclusion that low back disability may well be an iatrogenic disorder in many cases.