Search

Background and Objective: Contextual effects (e.g. patient expectations) may play a role in treatment effectiveness. This study aimed to estimate the magnitude of contextual effects for conservative, non‐pharmacological interventions for musculoskeletal pain conditions. A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared placebo conservative non‐pharmacological interventions to no treatment for musculoskeletal pain. The outcomes assessed included pain intensity, physical functioning, health‐related quality of life, global rating of change, depression, anxiety and sleep at immediate, short‐, medium‐ and/or long‐term follow‐up. Databases and Data Treatment: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science Core Collection, CENTRAL and SPORTDiscus were searched from inception to September 2021. Trial registry searches, backward and forward citation tracking and searches for prior systematic reviews were completed. The Cochrane risk of bias 2 tool was implemented. Results: The study included 64 RCTs (N = 4314) out of 8898 records. For pain intensity, a mean difference of (MD: −5.32, 95% confidence interval (CI): −7.20, −3.44, N = 57 studies with 74 outcomes, GRADE: very low) was estimated for placebo interventions. A small effect in favour of the placebo interventions for physical function was estimated (SMD: −0.22, 95% CI: −0.35, −0.09; N = 37 with 48 outcomes, GRADE: very low). Similar results were found for a broad range of patient‐reported outcomes. Meta‐regression analyses did not explain heterogeneity among analyses. Conclusion: The study found that the contextual effect of non‐pharmacological conservative interventions for musculoskeletal conditions is likely to be small. However, given the known effect sizes of recommended evidence‐based treatments for musculoskeletal conditions, it may still contribute an important component. Significance: Contextual effects of non‐pharmacological conservative interventions for musculoskeletal conditions are likely to be small for a broad range of patient‐reported outcomes (pain intensity, physical function, quality of life, global rating of change and depression). Contextual effects are unlikely, in isolation, to offer much clinical care. But these factors do have relevance in an overall treatment context as they provide almost 30% of the minimally clinically important difference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Nervous system, psychosocial and spinal tissue biomarkers are associated with non‐specific low back pain (nsLBP), though relative contributions are unclear. Databases and Data Treatment: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO and SPORTDiscus were searched up to 25 March 2020. Related reviews and reference lists were also screened. Observational studies examining structural and functional nervous system biomarkers (e.g. quantitative sensory tests, structural and functional brain measures), psychosocial factors (e.g. mental health, catastrophizing) and structural spinal imaging biomarkers (e.g. intervertebral disc degeneration, paraspinal muscle size) between nsLBP and pain‐free controls were included. For multivariate meta‐analysis, two of three domains were required in each study. Random‐effects pairwise and multivariate meta‐analyses were performed. GRADE approach assessed evidence certainty. Newcastle‐Ottawa scale assessed risk of bias. Main outcomes were the effect size difference of domains between nsLBP and pain‐free controls. Results: Of 4519 unique records identified, 33 studies (LBP = 1552, referents = 1322) were meta‐analysed. Psychosocial state (Hedges' g [95%CI]: 0.90 [0.69–1.10], p < 0.001) in nsLBP showed larger effect sizes than nervous system (0.31 [0.13–0.49], p < 0.001; difference: 0.61 [0.36–0.86], p < 0.001) and spine imaging biomarkers (0.55 [0.37–0.73], p < 0.001; difference: 0.36 [0.04–0.67], p = 0.027). The relationship between domains changes depending on if pain duration is acute or chronic. Conclusions: Psychosocial effect sizes in nsLBP are greater than those for spinal imaging and nervous system biomarkers. Limitations include cross‐sectional design of studies included and inference of causality. Future research should investigate the clinical relevance of these effect size differences in relation to pain intensity and disability. Study Registration: PROSPERO‐CRD42020159188. Significance: Spinal structural lesions (e.g. intervertebral disc degeneration), psychosocial (e.g. depression) and nervous system factors (detected by e.g. quantitative sensory tests, structural and functional measures) contribute to non‐specific low back pain. However, psychosocial factors may be more compromised than nervous system and spinal imaging biomarkers. This relationship depends on if the pain is acute or chronic. These findings underscore that the 'non‐specific' label in back pain should be reconsidered, and more specific multidimensional categories evaluated to guide patient management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estimations of time spent sedentary and in various physical activity intensities may vary according to data reduction methods applied. This study compared associations between children's accelerometer data and adiposity and fitness markers using open source (mean amplitude deviation, MAD) and proprietary (counts) data reduction methods. Complete‐case accelerometer, adiposity (Body Mass Index z‐score, waist circumference), and fitness (cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal) data from 118 children (10.4 ± 0.6 years, 49% girls) were analyzed. Estimates of sedentary behavior, light‐, moderate‐, vigorous‐ (VPA), and moderate‐ to vigorous‐intensity (MVPA) physical activity were calculated using count‐ and MAD‐based data reduction methods. Linear regression models between time in movement behaviours and fitness and adiposity markers were conducted. Significant differences in estimates of time spent in all intensities were observed between MAD‐based and count‐based methods. Both methods produced evidence to suggest that sedentary behavior was detrimentally, and physical activity (any intensity) was beneficially, associated with waist circumference. MVPA and VPA were beneficially associated with fitness markers using both data reduction measures. Overall, findings suggest that estimates of sedentary time and physical activity were not comparable. However, the strength and direction of the associations obtained between the different data reduction methods and adiposity and fitness outcomes were fairly comparable, with both methods finding stronger associations for VPA compared to MVPA. This suggests that future studies may be able to pool data using different data reduction approaches when examining associations between activity and health risk factors, albeit with caution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is evidence in animal populations that loading and exercise can positively impact the intervertebral disc (IVD). However, there is a paucity of information in humans. We examined the lumbar IVDs in 308 young athletes across six sporting groups (baseball, swimming, basketball, kendo, soccer, and running; mean age 19 years) and 71 nonathletic controls. IVD status was quantified via the ratio of IVD to vertebral body height (IVD hypertrophy) and ratio of signal intensity in the nucleus to that in the annulus signal (IVD nucleus hydration) on sagittal T2‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging. P values were adjusted via the false discovery rate method to mitigate false positives. In examining the whole collective, compared to referents, there was evidence of IVD hypertrophy in basketball (P ≤.029), swimming (P ≤.010), soccer (P =.036), and baseball (P =.011) with greater IVD nucleus hydration in soccer (P =.007). After matching participants based on back‐pain status and body height, basketball players showed evidence of IVD hypertrophy (P ≤.043) and soccer players greater IVD nucleus hydration (P =.001) than referents. Greater career duration and training volume correlated with less (ie, worse) IVD nucleus hydration, but explained less than 1% of the variance in this parameter. In this young collective, increasing age was associated with increased IVD height. The findings suggest that basketball and soccer may be associated with beneficial adaptations in the IVDs in young athletes. In line with evidence on other tissues, such as muscle and bone, the current study adds to evidence that specific loading types may beneficially modulate lumbar IVD properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Higher level impairments and activity limitation among those scheduled for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is known. Sex differences in participation restriction which is the final domain of disablement pathway is not known. No data from developing countries exist on sex differences in disability levels at the time of TKA. Methods: In a cross‐sectional analysis of 240 patients (188 women; 72 men) scheduled for TKA, impairment (pain, symptoms, quadricep muscle strength, and knee range of motion [ROM]), activity limitation (self‐reported and objective performance‐based measurements), and participation restriction were compared. Multivariable regression analyses were used to adjust for key sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Associations between impairments and participation restriction were analyzed. Results: Compared with men, women were more likely to have higher levels of impairment (knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome pain score adjusted mean difference [aMD]: −6.9 [95% confidence interval {CI} −13.7 to −0.18]; flexion ROM of less than 100° adjusted odds ratio: 5.7 [95% CI 1.6‐20.3]; and 36% lower muscle strength [95% CI 24%‐49%]) and lower objectively measured functional ability (walking speed aMD: −0.12 m/s [95% CI −0.23 to −0.02]; stair climbing time aMD: 9.5 s [95% CI 1.5‐17.5]). Participation restriction was higher in women compared with men. Of the impairment measures (pain, ROM, and muscle strength), pain contributed to participation restriction in both sexes. Conclusion: This study demonstrated higher levels of disability in women than in men at the time of TKA. Effect of pain on participation restriction was higher compared with muscle strength and ROM. Evidence of delay in decision‐making to undergo TKA and reasons for delay need to be studied specifically in the context of lower middle–income countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed the deconditioning hypothesis of low back pain (LBP) by examining physical function in relation to LBP and self-reported physical activity in women. This cross-sectional study recruited a representative population-based sample of females aged greater than 60 years. In total, 1182 women were included in the study and completed questionnaires (physical activity and LBP intensity) and functional testing (countermovement jump, chair rise, gait speed and grip strength). Individuals were stratified into four groups based on physical activity and LBP status and analysed via a two-way ANOVA. Most participants (87%) reported current LBP and 25% were physically active. Countermovement jump height, chair rise and grip strength were lower in physically inactive women (p ≤ 0.005), but not women with LBP (p ≥ 0.21). Gait speed was not associated with physical activity or LBP status. There was no association between LBP and physical activity status. Whilst LBP was associated with lower physical activity, contrary to the deconditioning hypothesis, LBP status itself was not associated with reduced physical function in community-dwelling women 60 years and older. This implies that LBP may not be related to physical function in this population group, but rather to their physical activity levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonspecific chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a common clinical condition that has impacts at both the individual and societal level. Pain intensity is a primary outcome used in clinical practice to quantify the severity of CLBP and the efficacy of its treatment; however, pain is a subjective experience that is impacted by a multitude of factors. Moreover, differences in effect sizes for pain intensity are not observed between common conservative treatments, such as spinal manipulative therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, acupuncture, and exercise training. As pain science evolves, the biopsychosocial model is gaining interest in its application for CLBP management. The aim of this article is to discuss our current scientific understanding of pain and present why additional factors should be considered in conservative CLBP management. In addition to pain intensity, we recommend that clinicians should consider assessing the multidimensional nature of CLBP by including physical (disability, muscular strength and endurance, performance in activities of daily living, and body composition), psychological (kinesiophobia, fear‐avoidance, pain catastrophizing, pain self‐efficacy, depression, anxiety, and sleep quality), social (social functioning and work absenteeism), and health‐related quality‐of‐life measures, depending on what is deemed relevant for each individual. This review also provides practical recommendations to clinicians for the assessment of outcomes beyond pain intensity, including information on how large a change must be for it to be considered "real" in an individual patient. This information can guide treatment selection when working with an individual with CLBP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]