Group outpatient physical and behavioral therapy for chronic low back pain

Conducted a treatment-outcome study to investigate the effectiveness of behavioral (BT) or physical therapy (PT) for treating chronic low back pain (CLBP). Thirteen patients received BT; 12 patients received PT. All patients had at least a 6-month history of seeking treatment of CLBP. Prior to treatment patients were assessed in four principal areas of functioning: (1) physical abilities; (2) current physical functioning; (3) psychological and psychosocial functioning; and (4) pain intensity and pain perception. Treatments were conducted in a group (5-8 patients) outpatient setting. Both BT and PT met for 10 weekly 2-hour sessions. BT was designed to address the environmental, social, and emotional influences of the pain experience, depression, and decreased activity from CLBP. PT was based upon traditional rehabilitation theory and was designed to improve low back function. The posttreatment results showed general improvement for patients in both groups, but few treatment-specific differences in outcome measures.     

Transdermal fentanyl for chronic low back pain

Purpose

Chronic low back pain is a common clinical problem. As medication, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are generally used; however, they are sometimes non-effective. Recently, opioids have been used for the treatment of chronic low back pain, and since 2010, transdermal fentanyl has been used to treat chronic non-cancer pain in Japan. The purpose of the current study was to examine the efficacy of transdermal fentanyl in the treatment of chronic low back pain.

Materials and Methods

This study included patients (n=62) that suffered from chronic low back pain and were non-responsive to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Their conditions consisted of non-specific low back pain, multiple back operations, and specific low back pain awaiting surgery. Patients were given transdermal fentanyl for chronic low back pain. Scores of the visual analogue scale and the Oswestry Disability Index, as well as adverse events were evaluated before and after therapy.

Results

Overall, visual analogue scale scores and Oswestry Disability Index scores improved significantly after treatment. Transdermal fentanyl (12.5 to 50 µg/h) was effective in reducing low back pain in 45 of 62 patients; however, it was not effective in 17 patients. Patients who experienced the most improvement were those with specific low back pain awaiting surgery. Adverse events were seen in 40% of patients (constipation, 29%; nausea, 24%; itching, 24%).

Conclusion

Disability Index scores in 73% of patients, especially those with specific low back pain awaiting surgery; however, it did not decrease pain in 27% of patients, including patients with non-specific low back pain or multiple back operations.     

Effectiveness of a standardized back school program for patients with chronic low back pain after implementation in routine rehabilitation care

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of a standardized, patient-oriented, biopsychosocial back school after implementation in inpatient orthopedic rehabilitation.MethodsA multi-center, quasi-experimental controlled study of patients with low back pain (n = 535) was conducted. Patients in the control group received the traditional back school before implementation of the new program (usual care); patients in the intervention group received the new standardized back school after implementation into routine care. Patients’ illness knowledge and conduct of back exercises (primary outcomes) and secondary self-management outcomes and treatment satisfaction were obtained at admission, discharge, and 6 and 12 months after rehabilitation.ResultsWe found a significant small between-group intervention effect on patients‘ illness knowledge in medium- to long term (6 months: η² = 0.015; 12 months: η² = 0.013). There were trends for effects on conduct of back exercises among men (6 and 12 months: η² = 0.008 both). Furthermore, significant small effects were observed for treatment satisfaction at discharge and physical activity after 6 months.ConclusionsThe standardized back school seems to be more effective in certain outcomes than a usual care program despite heterogeneous program implementation.Practice implicationsFurther dissemination within orthopedic rehabilitation may be encouraged to foster self-management outcomes.     

Effectiveness of communicative and educative strategies in chronic low back pain patients: A systematic review

ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of communicative and educative strategies on 1) patient’s low back pain awareness/knowledge, 2) maladaptive behavior modification and 3) compliance with exercise in patients with chronic low back pain.MethodsA systematic review was conducted. Searches were performed on 13 databases. Only randomized controlled trials enrolling patients ≥ 18 years of age were included. Risk of bias was assessed with the Cochrane Collaboration’s tool and interrater agreement between authors for full-texts selection was evaluated with Cohen’s Kappa. No meta-analysis was performed and qualitative analysis was conducted.Results24 randomized controlled trials which intervention included communicative and educative strategies were selected. Most of the studies were judged as low risk of bias and Cohen’s Kappa was excellent ( = 0.822). Interventions addressed were cognitive behavioral therapy as unique treatment or combined with other treatments (multimodal interventions), coaching, mindfulness, pain science education, self-management, graded activity and graded exposure.Conclusions, practice implicationPatient’s low back pain awareness/knowledge is still a grey area of literature. Pain science education, graded exposure and multimodal interventions are the most effective for behavior modification and compliance with exercise with benefits also in the long-term, while self-management, graded activity and coaching provide only short-term or no benefits.     

An interpretative phenomenological analysis of living with chronic low back pain

Objectives A predominantly quantitative approach to the psychological study of chronic low back pain (CLBP) has shown that enduring negative emotional responses and passive coping strategies contribute towards disability. The main objective of this study was to extend existing knowledge by providing a detailed and contextualized understanding of the meaning of CLBP for participants with long‐standing experiences of chronic pain. Design This is a qualitative, semi‐structured interview study. The data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). This is the first of three sets of individual interviews comprising a longitudinal study of the same participants over 3 years. Methods Ten patients with CLBP were interviewed prior to their attendance at a medically staffed chronic pain clinic. The sample comprised seven females and three males. Ages ranged between 39 and 66 years. All had experienced CLBP for at least 4 years. Conclusions The participants' experiences are represented by three main themes: ‘maintaining integrity’, ‘the crucial nature of the pain’ and ‘managing the pain’ that highlight participants' understanding of their pain within a biomedical framework. The findings are discussed with reference to the role of illness beliefs in the management of CLBP.     

Emotional disturbance and chronic low back pain

Treated chronic low back pain patients (N = 102) in a university hospital clinic. Ss were given the EPI, the Recent LIfe Changes Questionnaire, and the Locus of Control Scale in order to isolate the principal dimensions of emotional disturbance in such patients and to see whether derived dimensions were related to response to conservative treatment for back pain. Self-report ratings of current pain intensity were obtained approximately 1 year after the start of treatment. Factor analysis revealed five factors: Distrust and alienation, somatic concern, vulnerability, extraversion, and social desirability; these accounted for 71% of the total variance among patients. Patients with above-average pretreatment distrust and alienation scores more frequently failed to return the follow-up form than patients with below-average scores. Low scores on somatic concern were related to good outcome. Results suggest that patients in alienation and distrust may be prone to be poor compliers. Because only the somatic concern dimension predicted outcome, a single scale that measures this characteristic may be sufficient for effective identification of the potential good vs. poor responders to conservative treatment of low back pain.     

Experiences of chronic low back pain: a meta-ethnography of qualitative research

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is associated with a number of costly disability-related outcomes. It has received increasing attention from qualitative researchers studying its consequences for personal, social, and health care experiences. As research questions and methods diversify, there is a growing need to integrate findings emerging from these studies. A meta-ethnography was carried out to synthesise the findings of 38 separate qualitative articles published on the subjective experience of CLBP between 1994 and 2011. Studies were identified following a literature search and quality appraisal. Four themes were proposed after a process of translating the meaning of text extracts from the findings sections across all the articles. The themes referred to the undermining influence of pain, its disempowering impact on all levels, unsatisfying relationships with health care professionals, and learning to live with the pain. The findings are dominated by wide-ranging distress and loss but also acknowledge self-determination and resilience. Implications of the meta-ethnography for clinicians and future qualitative research are outlined, including the need to study relatively unexamined facets of subjective experience such as illness trajectory and social identity.     

下腰疼痛的生物力学分析

背景:下腰痛是人类极容易发生的疾病,原因复杂,发生机制依然不能完全阐明。目的:针对下背疼痛起因做一详细的力学分析。方法:藉由生物力学原理,应用计算软件Matlab与图像软件Photoshop对L4及两侧的小关节进行3D力学模拟。分析不同体质量的人在不同弯腰角度、提取不同重物时,L3-L4椎间盘所承受的滑脱力,以及在不同程度椎间盘退化的情形下,应力转移至关节囊的百分比。结果与结论:①L4因弯腰搬动物品时所受的压力会随着弯腰的角度增加而呈非线性递减,弯腰角度越大L4所受压力越小;当弯腰搬取物品时,L4所承受的压力与人体质量或物品质量呈正比;②当人弯腰达75°时,由于环状应力的产生可使腰大肌所承受的力可达体质量的20倍,来回反复做相同的动作就会使肌肉疲劳,进而对其造成损伤;椎间盘的退化也会将原先正常作用在周边组织的应力放大4倍左右,而对这些组织造成应力伤害。     

Self-management program for chronic low back pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectiveTo determine the effectiveness of self-management programs (SMPs) on chronic low back pain (CLBP).MethodsA search of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was performed in Pubmed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Elsevier, and CINAHL through June, 2015. Two reviewers selected trials, conducted critical appraisal, and extracted data. Meta analyses were performed.ResultsThirteen moderate-quality RCTs were included. There were 9 RCTs for immediate post intervention on pain intensity and disability, 5 RCTs for short term, 3 RCTs for intermediate and 4 RCTs for long term. Specifically, the effect sizes (ESs) of SMP on pain intensity were −0.29, −0.20, −0.23, and −0.25 at immediate post-intervention, short-term, intermediate-term, and long-term follow-ups, respectively. The ESs on disability were −0.28, −0.23, −0.19, and −0.19 at immediate post-intervention, short-term, intermediate-term, and long-term follow-ups, respectively.ConclusionFor CLBP patients, there is moderate-quality evidence that SMP has a moderate effect on pain intensity, and small to moderate effect on disability.Practice implicationsSMP can be regarded as an effective approach for CLBP management. In addition to face-to-face mode, internet-based strategy can also be considered as a useful option to deliver SMP. Theoretically driven programs are preferred.     

Psychological correlates of pain behavior in patients with chronic low back pain

Pain behaviors that are excessive for the degree of known physical disease are common in patients with chronic low back pain and are frequently assumed to arise from a comorbid depressive illness. Although some studies have confirmed an association between depression and excessive pain behavior, methodologic problems (such as the use of depression ratings that also recorded symptoms attributable to physical disease) make interpretation of this finding difficult. We recruited 54 consecutive patients with chronic (>6 months) low back pain from a hospital clinic. Subjects completed self-rated assessments of anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) designed to be minimally affected by physical symptoms, along with assessments of disability (ODQ), pain (visual analogue scale), pain behavior (Waddell checklist), and physical impairment. Seventeen subjects (31%) exhibited excessive pain behavior. Overall, they were no more depressed or anxious than the remainder, although men with excessive pain behavior showed a trend toward being more depressed. Patients with excessive pain behavior were more disabled (self-rated and observer-rated), reported greater pain, and were more likely to be female and to have pain of shorter duration. Pain behavior did not correlate with anxiety or depression, but correlated with measures of disability and pain intensity. Factor analysis revealed that physical disability, pain intensity, and pain behavior loaded heavily on the first factor. Anxiety and depression loaded together on a separate factor. We conclude that pain behaviors were not related to anxiety or depression in our group, although gender differences between groups could have contributed to our negative findings. Pain behaviors may influence other physical measures. Further studies are required to investigate the relation between depression and pain behavior while controlling for gender differences.     

Segmental stabilization and muscular strengthening in chronic low back pain: a comparative study

OBJECTIVE:

To contrast the efficacy of two exercise programs, segmental stabilization and strengthening of abdominal and trunk muscles, on pain, functional disability, and activation of the transversus abdominis muscle (TrA), in individuals with chronic low back pain.

DESIGN:

Our sample consisted of 30 individuals, randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups: segmental stabilization, where exercises focused on the TrA and lumbar multifidus muscles, and superficial strengthening, where exercises focused on the rectus abdominis, abdominus obliquus internus, abdominus obliquus externus, and erector spinae. Groups were examined to discovere whether the exercises created contrasts regarding pain (visual analogical scale and McGill pain questionnaire), functional disability (Oswestry disability questionnaire), and TrA muscle activation capacity (Pressure Biofeedback Unit  =  PBU). The program lasted 6 weeks, and 30‐minute sessions occurred twice a week. Analysis of variance was used for inter‐ and intra‐group comparisons. The significance level was established at 5%.

RESULTS:

As compared to baseline, both treatments were effective in relieving pain and improving disability (p<0.001). Those in the segmental stabilization group had significant gains for all variables when compared to the ST group (p<0.001), including TrA activation, where relative gains were 48.3% and ‐5.1%, respectively.

CONCLUSION:

Both techniques lessened pain and reduced disability. Segmental stabilization is superior to superficial strengthening for all variables. Superficial strengthening does not improve TrA activation capacity.     

小切口后路单纯Cage融合治疗慢性腰痛的疗效分析

目的 探讨小切口单纯椎间融合器(Cage)后路椎间融合治疗慢性腰痛的临床疗效.方法 回顾性分析我院2008年6月～2010年3月收治的10例伴腰椎终板信号改变(Modic改变)的慢性腰痛患者,采用小切口经后路单纯Cage椎间融合治疗,评价比较术前、术后初期的椎间隙高度,术前和末次随访时椎间隙高度、JOA、ODI值.结果 术后随访3～42个月,平均27.9个月,椎间隙高度术前、术后初期、末次随访时分别为(4.9±0.7)mm、(8.0±0.5)mm和(7.8±0.6)mm,术后初期明显增加(P＜0.01),末次随访时未见明显降低(P＞0.05),JOA值术前(17.0±2.7),末次随访时(22.4±3.7),ODI值术前(35.2±10.2),末次随访时(18.2±11.3),JOA值、ODI值改善均有统计学差异(P＜0.05).结论 小切口后路单纯Cage椎间融合手术对于慢性腰痛是一种可供选择的手术方法.