Predicting outcomes of neuroreflexotherapy in patients with subacute or chronic neck or low back pain

Background contextIn the context of shared decision-making, a valid estimation of the probability that a given patient will improve after a specific treatment is valuable.PurposeTo develop models that predict the improvement of spinal pain, referred pain, and disability in patients with subacute or chronic neck or low back pain undergoing a conservative treatment.Study design and settingAnalysis of data from a prospective registry in routine practice.Patient sampleAll patients who had been discharged after receiving a conservative treatment within the Spanish National Health Service (SNHS) (n=8,778).Outcome measuresSpinal pain, referred pain, and disability were assessed before the conservative treatment and at discharge by the use of previously validated methods.MethodsImprovement in spinal pain, referred pain, and disability was defined as a reduction in score greater than the minimal clinically important change. A predictive model that included demographic, clinical, and work-related variables was developed for each outcome using multivariate logistic regression. Missing data were addressed using multiple imputation. Discrimination and calibration were assessed for each model. The models were validated by bootstrap, and nomograms were developed.ResultsThe following variables showed a predictive value in the three models: baseline scores for pain and disability, pain duration, having undergone X-ray, having undergone spine surgery, and receiving financial assistance for neck or low back pain. Discrimination of the three models ranged from slight to moderate, and calibration was good.ConclusionsA registry in routine practice can be used to develop models that estimate the probability of improvement for each individual patient undergoing a specific form of treatment. Generalizing this approach to other treatments can be valuable for shared decision making.     

Does raloxifene treatment influence back pain and disability among postmenopausal women with osteoporosis?

Clinical studies have suggested that postmenopausal women on estrogen replacement treatment are more likely to experience back pain and related disability compared to women who do not take estrogens. Raloxifene, a selective estrogen receptor modulator has estrogen-like effects on bone tissue, and antagonize the action of estrogens on endometrium and breast tissue. It is unknown if the treatment of osteoporosis with raloxifene has estrogen-like or opposite effects on back pain and functional capacity among postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. A total of 120 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis and chronic back pain were randomized to receive raloxifene 60 mg with 1,000 mg calcium, and 800 IU vitamin D daily or 1,000 mg calcium and 800 IU vitamin D daily. Pain intensity and pain-related disability were measured before treatment at 6 months and after 1 year. Repeated measures of ANOVA, did not reveal statistically significant differences over time, on pain intensity and disability scores, between groups studied. There was a trend in pain intensity changes during the follow-up period, but the differences between the groups were not statistically significant. It seems that treatment with raloxifene does not influence back pain and disability among postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Raloxifene may have estrogenic agonist effects on nociceptive processing in the central nervous system.     

The assessment of symptoms and functional limitations in low back pain patients: validity and reliability of a new questionnaire

Many of the existing low back pain (LBP) questionnaires of function and symptoms have a content of different domains of disability presented as a single sum score, making it difficult to derive changes within a specific domain. The present study describes the development of a clinically derived back-specific questionnaire incorporating both a functional limitation and a symptom scale, with a further subdivision of the symptom scale in separate indices for severity and temporal aspects. The aims of the study were to assess the overall reliability and validity of the new questionnaire, named the Profile Fitness Mapping questionnaire (PFM). A total of 193 chronic LBP patients answered the PFM together with five validated criterion questionnaires. For the internal consistency of the questionnaires, the three indices of the PFM had the highest Cronbach’s alpha (0.90–0.95) and all items had item–total correlations above 0.2. The correlation coefficients between the PFM and the back-specific criterion questionnaires ranged between 0.61 and 0.83, indicating good concurrent criterion validity. The best discriminative ability between patients with different pain severities was demonstrated by the functional limitation scale of the PFM. Well centered score distribution with no patient’s score at the floor or the ceiling level indicates that the PFM has the potential to detect the improvement or worsening of symptoms and functional limitations in chronic LBP patients. Classification according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and health (ICF) of WHO revealed a high degree of homogeneous item content of the symptom scale to the domain of impairments, and of the functional limitation scale to the domain of activity limitations. The present study suggests that the PFM has a high internal consistency and is a valid indicator of symptoms and functional limitations of LBP patients. It offers the combination of a composite total score and the possibility of evaluations within specific domains of disability. Complementary evaluation of test–retest reliability and responsiveness to change is warranted.     

The costs for persons sick-listed more than one month because of low back or neck problems. A two-year prospective study of Swedish patients

The total costs for patients who are sick-listed due to back and neck problems have not previously been determined prospectively on an individual basis. This study aimed to determine the total cost to a society, based on individually assessed costs of health services and loss of production in people who are sick-listed 28 days or more for back or neck problems. Detailed data on individuals health-care consumption due to back or neck problems was collected through prospectively entered diaries and questionnaires, after 4 weeks, 3 months, 1 and 2 years, in a consecutively selected cohort of 1,822 employed persons aged between 18 and 59 years. Costs for health care and production losses due to work absenteeism were determined individually and combined to render total costs to society. The costs for all medical services during the 2-year study were 6.9% of total costs for back and neck problems. The single most expensive medical service was surgery. Transferred to a national level, annual total costs for back and neck problems corresponded to 1% of GNP. In conclusion, direct health-service costs were a small fraction of the total costs, consequently indirect costs offer the greatest potential for savings.     

慢性疼痛患者自我效能与自我超越的相关性研究

目的 探讨慢性疼痛患者自我效能现状及其与自我超越的相关性,为采取针对性措施提高其自我效能提供参考。方法 采用疼痛自我效能问卷及自我超越量表对212例慢性疼痛患者进行问卷调查。结果 慢性疼痛患者疼痛自我效能评分（3.86±1.61）分,得分率64.33%;自我效能与自我超越呈正相关（r=0.729,P＜0.01）;分层回归分析结果显示,自我超越可独立解释32.60%自我效能的变异。结论 慢性疼痛患者自我效能有待提高,提高患者的自我超越水平可增强其自我效能。     

Chronic neck pain and treatment of cognitive and behavioural factors: results of a randomised controlled clinical trial

PurposeAlthough there is growing evidence in favour of the bio-psychosocial approach to the treatment of persistent neck pain, it is questioned whether treating psychological factors can improve patient perceptions of disability, pain and quality of life. This randomised, controlled study with 12 months’ follow-up was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of adding cognitive-behavioural principles to exercises for chronic neck pain.MethodsEighty patients were randomly assigned to the usual neck exercises plus cognitive-behavioural treatment (PTcb group, 40 subjects) or to treatment based on neck exercises alone (PT group, 40 subjects). Before treatment (T1), at the end of treatment (T2) and 12 months later (T3), all of the patients completed a booklet including the Neck Pain and Disability Scale, a numerical rating scale, and the Short-Form Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-36).ResultsThe present trial failed to demonstrate its primary end point: the pre- and post-treatment difference in total NPDS scores was not statistically different between groups. Disability improved similarly in both groups over time, remaining stable until T3 in the PTcb group and slightly increasing at the same time in the PT group. Pain trends were comparable, with both groups showing an improvement between T1 and T2, and a slight worsening between T2 and T3. There were significant increases in all of the SF-36 domains except for health in general, and vitality in both groups by the end of treatment. SF-36 showed a between-group difference only for the physical activity domain (10.4; 95 % CI 2.4–18.5).ConclusionDisability, pain and quality of life improved at the end of treatment in both groups, without differences between them.     

Prevalence of low back pain and factors associated with chronic disabling back pain in Japan

Purpose

This study aimed to report lifetime and 4-week low back pain (LBP) prevalence and examine factors associated with chronic LBP and back pain disability over a lifetime in a Japanese adult population.

Methods

In February 2011, 1,063,083 adults aged 20–79 years registered as internet research volunteers were randomly selected to participate in a questionnaire survey. The data from 65,496 respondents were analyzed to calculate age-standardized lifetime and 4-week prevalence. Chronic LBP and back pain disability were defined as LBP lasting for ≥3 months and a consecutive ≥4-day-long absence, respectively. Factors associated with chronic disabling back pain over a lifetime were examined by multiple logistic regression modeling.

Results

The lifetime LBP prevalence was 83 % and 4-week prevalence was 36 %; majority of the respondents had disability-free LBP. Smoking [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 1.17; 95 % CI: 1.05, 1.30], lower educational level (aOR: 1.21; 95 % CI: 1.09, 1.34), history of disabling back pain among family members and/or significant others (aOR: 1.46; 95 % CI: 1.27, 1.67), occupational LBP (aOR: 1.34; 95 % CI: 1.16, 1.55), traffic injury (aOR: 2.81; 95 % CI: 2.07, 3.81), compensated work injury (aOR: 2.42; 95 % CI: 1.92, 3.05), radiating pain (aOR: 4.94; 95 % CI: 4.45, 5.48), low back surgery (aOR: 10.69; 95 % CI: 9.02, 12.68), and advice to rest upon back pain consultation (aOR: 3.84; 95 % CI: 3.36, 4.40) were associated with chronic disabling back pain over a lifetime.

Conclusions

LBP is common in Japan as in other industrialized countries. The association between the advice to rest and chronic disabling back pain supports recent treatment guidelines emphasizing continuation of daily activities.     

Adaptation of muscles of the lumbar spine to sudden imbalance in patients with lower back pain caused by military training

Objective

This study aims to investigate the effects of sudden load changes (expected and unexpected imbalance) on the activity of muscles of the lumbar spine and their central motor control strategy in military personnel with or without chronic low back pain (LBP).

Design

Bilateral sudden imbalance was examined (2 × 2 factorial design).

Setting

The 117th PLA Hospital, Hangzhou, China

Participants

Twenty-one male subjects with lower back pain and 21 male healthy control subjects were active members of the Nanjing Military Region land forces.

Outcome measures

Independent variables: LBP vs. healthy controls and imbalance anticipation (expected and unexpected imbalance). Dependent variables: rapid reaction time (RRT) and intensity of rapid reaction (IRR) of bilateral lumbar (L3–L4) erector spinae (ES), lumbar (L5–S1) multifidus (MF), and abdominal external oblique muscles.

Results

Under expected or unexpected sudden imbalance conditions, subjects with LBP demonstrated significantly greater IRR than healthy controls in ipsilateral and contralateral ES and MF, respectively (P < 0.05 for all). IRR of contralateral ES was significantly larger than that of the ipsilateral ES. A significant group effect of RRT of both ipsilateral and contralateral ES muscles and a significant time expectation effect on RRT of contralateral MF muscles were also observed. RRT of the contralateral ES muscles was significantly lower than that of the ipsilateral ES muscles (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Sudden imbalance prolonged RRT of selected trunk muscles in patients with chronic LBP. The activation amplitude increased. The results may provide a theoretical basis for a study on the pathogenesis of chronic LBP.     

The effect of walking faster on people with acute low back pain

Little is known about self-selected speed and fast walking in people with acute low back pain. This study aimed to investigate (1) the strategies that people with acute low back pain use to change from self-selected speed to fast walking and (2) the effect of a period of treadmill walking on level of back pain. Eight participants with acute low back pain and eight matched control participants were evaluated during self-selected speed and fast walking on a treadmill. The eight participants with back pain were retested 6 weeks later when pain had resolved. Measurements were taken of (1) three-dimensional angular movements of the pelvis and lumbar spine using a videoanalysis system, (2) the timing and distance parameters of walking, and (3) pain levels as measured by a visual analogue scale. We found that to walk faster, those with acute low back pain increased stride length and the frontal plane movements of pelvic list and lumbar lateral flexion (pelvis) to a greater extent than when symptoms had resolved. We also found that 10 min of treadmill walking at self-selected speed led to a reduction in the level of back pain and that there was a high degree of negative correlation between level of back pain and stride length. An additional 5 min of fast walking did not lead to any further changes in level of back pain. These findings support clinical recommendations that the moderate physical activity of walking may be beneficial in the management of people with acute low back pain. To walk faster, people with acute low back pain may utilise strategies that had been limited at self-selected speed, without any increase in pain.     

Adaptation of muscles of the lumbar spine to sudden imbalance in patients with lower back pain caused by military training

Abstract

Objective

This study aims to investigate the effects of sudden load changes (expected and unexpected imbalance) on the activity of muscles of the lumbar spine and their central motor control strategy in military personnel with or without chronic low back pain (LBP).

Design

Bilateral sudden imbalance was examined (2 × 2 factorial design).

Setting

The 117th PLA Hospital, Hangzhou, China

Participants

Twenty-one male subjects with lower back pain and 21 male healthy control subjects were active members of the Nanjing Military Region land forces.

Outcome measures

Independent variables: LBP vs. healthy controls and imbalance anticipation (expected and unexpected imbalance). Dependent variables: rapid reaction time (RRT) and intensity of rapid reaction (IRR) of bilateral lumbar (L3–L4) erector spinae (ES), lumbar (L5–S1) multifidus (MF), and abdominal external oblique muscles.

Results

Under expected or unexpected sudden imbalance conditions, subjects with LBP demonstrated significantly greater IRR than healthy controls in ipsilateral and contralateral ES and MF, respectively (P < 0.05 for all). IRR of contralateral ES was significantly larger than that of the ipsilateral ES. A significant group effect of RRT of both ipsilateral and contralateral ES muscles and a significant time expectation effect on RRT of contralateral MF muscles were also observed. RRT of the contralateral ES muscles was significantly lower than that of the ipsilateral ES muscles (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Sudden imbalance prolonged RRT of selected trunk muscles in patients with chronic LBP. The activation amplitude increased. The results may provide a theoretical basis for a study on the pathogenesis of chronic LBP.     

多发性硬化患者的腰背痛危险因素分析

目的 :通过调查多发性硬化患者的肌肉骨骼疾病及腰背痛,试图找到相关的危险因素。方法 :选择我院确诊为多发性硬化并且EDSS评分在4~7分的患者进行研究。收集记录患者的病史、疼痛、肌肉骨骼疾病、肌力和下肢痉挛状态。结果:190例患者被纳入研究对象,平均年龄(54.9±9.2)岁,男61例,女129例,病程(19.3±9.9)年,EDSS 4~7分。52例为复发缓解型,45例为原发进展型,93例为继发进展型。最常见的肌肉骨骼疾病表现为:膝关节骨关节炎(15例),爪状趾(13例),膝关节过伸(12例)。腰背痛患者共79例,在进展型患者中则更高(继发进展型:OR=2.958,P=0.007 9;原发进展型:OR=2.629,P=0.039 8)。EDSS量表中出现视觉功能障碍的患者,则出现腰背痛的概率越大(OR=1.411,P=0.012 4)),男性患者较女性患者腰背痛少(OR=0.306,P=0.001 4)。结论 :进展型及出现了视觉功能障碍的多发性硬化患者拥有更高的腰背痛风险。     

慢性疼痛患者自我同情与心理弹性的相关研究

目的 探讨慢性疼痛患者自我同情与心理弹性的相关性,为临床制订心理干预方案提供理论依据.方法 采用一般资料调查表、自我同情量表、心理弹性量表,对2019年6月至2019年12月青岛市市立医院本部疼痛科195例慢性疼痛患者进行调查研究,分析慢性疼痛患者自我同情与心理弹性的影响因素及相关性.结果 慢性疼痛患者自我同情总分为(...     

Change in pain catastrophizing in patients with lumbar spinal surgery

Background Context

Even though catastrophizing can negatively moderate the outcome of surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS), it is still unclear whether pain catastrophizing is an enduring stable or a dynamic structure related to pain intensity after spine surgery.

Long-term outcomes of a large,prospective observational cohort of older adults with back pain

Background Context

Although back pain is common among older adults, there is relatively little research on the course of back pain in this age group.

Responsiveness of the Chinese version of the Oswestry disability index in patients with chronic low back pain

The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) is one of the most widely used questionnaires that assess disability in patients with low back pain (LBP). Responsiveness is both an important psychometric property of an instrument and a key issue for clinicians when choosing suitable outcome measures. The objective of this study was to examine the responsiveness of the Chinese version of the ODI (ODI-Chinese) for subjects with chronic LBP following a physical therapy program. In total, 76 patients with chronic LBP completed the ODI-Chinese, a visual analog scale (VAS) of pain, and the Chinese version of Short Form-36 (SF-36) before and after treatment. All patients also completed a global perception of change Likert scale in condition after the program. The scale was collapsed to produce a dichotomous variable outcome, improved or non-improved. The responsiveness of the instruments was determined using the standardized response means (SRM) and receiver operating characteristics (ROC). After treatment, 56 patients considered themselves to be improved. The SRM of the ODI-Chinese was −1.2 in the improved group and −0.4 in the non-improved group. The area of the ROC curve for the ODI-Chinese was 0.77 (95% CI 0.66–0.89). Therefore, the Chinese version of the ODI is both responsive and appropriate for use in chronic LBP patients after conservative therapy.     

Work related characteristics of back and neck pain among employees of a Swiss University Hospital

Objectives

1) To explore the staff- and work-related risk factors for spinal pain among hospital employees, 2) to investigate the effect of staff- and work-related variables on the consequences of spinal pain, such as doctor visits and sick leave.

Methods

A mailed survey was carried out in a random sample of 2700 employees stratified for occupational categories (administration staff, nurses, nurse assistants, physicians, support staff and allied health professionals). The questionnaire measured self-reported spinal pain, consequences of pain, and work characteristics.

Results

The response rate was 48.1% (1298/2700). The one-year prevalence of spinal pain was 67.3%, highest among nurses (75.6%) and lowest among support staff (54.9%). Reported work characteristics associated with spinal pain included frequent work at a poorly adapted work station (odds ratio (OR) 1.90 [1.24–2.93]) and having to maintain a position for a long time (OR 1.71 [1.25–2.34]). No significant correlations were observed with lifting, patient handling, material handling, or working on nightshift. Sickness leave due to spinal pain was significantly associated with duration of pain episode (OR 4.08 for > 3 months compared to less than 10 days), and with work categories (OR 2.58 for nurse assistants compared to nurses).

Conclusion

In this population of hospital employees, being a nurse, working at a poorly adapted work place, and having to maintain positions for a long time were related independently to spinal pain. Nurse assistants had a higher risk of work absenteeism.     

The posterior pelvic pain provocation test in pregnant women

Summary This study was done to evaluate a new, simple, non-invasive pain provocation test as an aid to differentiate between low-back and posterior pelvic pain in pregnant women. The test was performed on 72 pregnant women at various stages of pregnancy with or without low-back or posterior pelvic pain. The study was conducted by two physiotherapists with special interest in back pain in pregnancy at a normal antenatal clinic. The test was easy to learn, perform and interpret and was applicable throughout pregnancy. There was a strong correlation between a positive test answer and a history of posterior pelvic pain (P < 0.01, chi-square). There were no side-effects. The test was highly specific and had a high positive prediction value for posterior pelvic pain and a high negative prediction value for low-back pain among pregnant women.     

Prevalence of sleep disturbance in patients with low back pain

Low back pain (LBP) is a common health condition that is often associated with disability, psychological distress and work loss. Worldwide, billions of dollars are expended each year trying to manage LBP, often with limited success. Recently, some researchers have reported that LBP patients also report sleep disturbance as a result of their LBP. However, as most of this evidence was obtained from highly selected groups of patients or from studies with small samples, high quality data on prevalence of sleep disturbance for patients with LBP are lacking. It is also unclear whether sleep disturbance is more likely to be reported by patients with recent-onset LBP than by patients with persistent LBP. Finally, it is not known whether high pain intensity, the most relevant condition-specific variable, is associated with higher rates of reported sleep disturbance. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of reported sleep disturbance in patients with LBP. In addition, we aimed to determine whether sleep disturbance was associated with the duration of back pain symptoms and whether pain intensity was associated with reported sleep disturbance. Data from 1,941 patients obtained from 13 studies conducted by the authors or their colleagues between 2001 and 2009 were used to determine the prevalence of sleep disturbance. Logistic regression analyses explored associations between sleep disturbance, the duration of low back symptoms and pain intensity. The estimated prevalence of sleep disturbance was 58.7% (95% CI 56.4–60.7%). Sleep disturbance was found to be dependent on pain intensity, where each increase by one point on a ten-point visual analogue scale (VAS) was associated with a 10% increase in the likelihood of reporting sleep disturbance. Our findings indicate that sleep disturbance is common in patients with LBP. In addition, we found that the intensity of back pain was only weakly associated with sleep disturbance, suggesting that other factors contribute to sleep problems for LBP patients.     

Oswestry功能障碍指数评定腰痛患者的可信性

目的 :探讨Oswestry功能障碍指数 (OswestrydisabilityIndex ,ODI)应用于腰痛患者评定的可信性。 方法 :住院拟手术的腰痛患者 2 2例 (男 13,女 9例 ) ,分为同一检查者重复评定 (A组 ) :10例 ,平均年龄 4 7 7岁 ;不同检查者重复评定 (B组 ) ,12例 ,平均年龄 36 6岁。用ODI对所有对象重复评定 ,平均间隔 3 0d。对两组患者的障碍指数进行Pearson相关分析。结果 :两组重复测试ODI的相关系数分别为 0 95 3和 0 912 ,相关性非常显著 (A组 :t =8 85 1,P <0 0 0 1;B组 :t=7 0 0 8,P <0 .0 1)。结论 :用ODI评定腰痛是稳定、可靠的 ,可作为腰痛患者是否需要手术或康复疗效评定的参考指标。