Systematic reviews of physical and rehabilitation medicine Cochrane contents. Part 1. Disabilities due to spinal disorders and pain syndromes in adults

BACKGROUND

This article is the first in a series presenting the strongest published evidence for physical and rehabilitation medicine (PRM) to date coming from the Cochrane Collaboration. The intent of the series is to stimulate ideas for reviews and research in neglected areas of PRM.

AIM

To systematically review the rehabilitation contents of the Cochrane Collaboration on disabilities due to spinal disorders or pain syndromes in adults.

METHODS

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews was searched at the end of June 2013 for articles relevant for PRM about disabilities resulting from spinal disorders or pain syndromes in adults. Retrieved papers were classified according to the PRM approach: active therapies, which require active participation by patients to achieve treatment goals, and passive treatments, which rely on the application of external forces. The quality of the reviews was checked against the AMSTAR checklist.

RESULTS

Reviews on spinal disorders or pain syndromes were found in the Cochrane Back Group (CBG) and in the Pain, Palliative and Supportive Care Group (CPPSCG). Thirty-eight (42.8%) of 89 Cochrane reviews in the CBG and 7 (2.4%) of 293 Cochrane reviews in the CPPSCG were included. All were of high quality (range, 8-11 points out of 11 on the AMSTAR checklist). The contents of the reviews are given in detail.

CONCLUSION

This review presents an overview of the current evidence for PRM in the treatment of disabilities due to spinal disorders or pain syndromes in adults. Within PRM there is ample space for research in the Cochrane Collaboration and for producing original studies (randomized controlled trials [RCTs]).

CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT

To apply evidence-based clinical practice, clinicians must be familiar with the current best evidence.

Outpatient rehabilitation outcomes in obese patients with orthopedic conditions

BACKGROUND

Obesity is related to the development of functional and mobility impairment, musculoskeletal pain and orthopedic problems. Irrespective of age, obese children and adults have impaired walking capacity and body transfer ability, and difficulties navigating obstacle courses or community spaces. Obesity is related to relative strength deficits, musculoskeletal pain, kinesiophobia, low self-efficacy and a decline in quality of life.

AIM

This review provides an update of the available evidence for the efficacy of outpatient rehabilitation programs for the treatment of disabling obesity.

RESULTS

Outpatient rehabilitation programs can effectively improve muscle strength, self-confidence and physical function. Key rehabilitation components should include aerobic exercise (AX), resistance exercise (RX) and cognitive strategies to cope with the unique challenges posed by obesity. Available high quality evidence indicates that 3-18 month rehabilitation programs that included aerobic and strengthening exercise (2-3 days per week) with caloric restriction (typically 500-750 kcal deficit/ day), elicited the best changes in functional performance measures compared with exercise or diet alone.

CONCLUSION

Comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation interventions coupled with diet can catalyze lifestyle patterns that improve and preserve physical function over the life span.

The use of risk sharing tools for post adoption surveillance of a non pharmacological technology in routine practice: results after one year

BACKGROUND

To report results obtained by combining risk sharing tools with post-adoption surveillance mechanisms in order to control quality of care and implement a value-based reimbursement scheme for Neuro-reflexotherapy (NRT), a non-pharmacological treatment proven effective for neck pain (NP), thoracic pain (TP) and low back pain (LBP).

METHODS

Pre-post prospective cohort study in routine clinical practice, carried out in primary care centers in the Spanish National Health Service in the Balearic Islands (Ib-Salut). Eight-hundred and seventy-one subacute and chronic NP, TP and LBP patients treated in Ib-Salut, who underwent NRT during 2011. A shared risk contract (SRC) was developed, where payments for NRT were linked to results on patients' clinical evolution, reduction in medication and proportion of patients undergoing spinal surgery. Main outcome measures were local pain (NP, TP or LBP), referred pain, LBP-related disability and NP-related disability, measured using previously validated instruments at referral and 3 months later, use of medication assessed at referral and discharge, and rates of spinal surgery prescription after undergoing NRT.

RESULTS

Median improvements at discharge corresponded to 57.1% of baseline value for local pain, 75.0% for referred pain, 53.8% for LBP-related disability and 45.0% for NP-related disability. Patients taking medication at discharge represented 29.0% of those taking it at referral. The proportion of patients in whom spinal surgery was prescribed after undergoing NRT was 0%. These results were consistent with those from previous randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and studies in routine practice, and complied with the standards set in the SRC.

CONCLUSIONS

It is feasible and effective to enhance post adoption surveillance methods with risk sharing tools to improve quality control and support value-based reimbursement decisions for NRT. The feasibility of generalising this approach to other settings and to other non-pharmacological treatments should be explored.

Neurofeedback therapy in patients with acute and chronic pain syndromes--literature review and own experience

Pain management is based mainly on pharmacotherapy which has many limitations. Non-pharmacological techniques, like neurofeedback (EEG-biofeedback) are alternative methods of pain treatment. Data from literature confirm high efficacy of neurofeedback in pain syndromes treatment, chronic and acute as well. Neurofeedback plays an important role in management of post stroke, post traumatic headaches and in primary headaches like tension type headaches or migraine. Literature review and own experience indicate importance of number and frequency of performed neurofeedback trainings on treatment effectiveness. Satisfactory results have already been observed after 30 trainings however usually 40-60 training have to be performed. Effectiveness of such therapy in pain syndromes is usually good or less often acceptable (50% reduction of headaches). Children with tension type headaches (differently than adults) need reminder therapy every 6-12 months, otherwise recurrence of headaches is observed. Based on our own experience neurofeedback therapy seems to play role in neuropathic pain and cancer pain management.

Motor and sensory rehabilitation after lower limb amputation: state of art and perspective of change

The rehabilitation of the amputated patient is based on a coordinated sequence of diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic procedures carried out by an interdisciplinary rehabilitation team, that works globally on all patient problems. The objectives of the different phases of the rehabilitation treatment were reviewed. Due to their relevance in conditioning the final outcome of the treatment, aspects requiring further studies and remarks, were also reviewed. Among these the psychological aspects, the alterations of all sensory inputs, the secondary alterations at the bone, articular and muscular level, pain of the residual limb and the phantom limb. Finally, the basic criteria to be used to choose the kind of prosthesis in relation to the characteristics and expectations of the amputated person, and the results of the recovery of the autonomy and walking ability, will be schematically described.

Case study: ethical guidance for pediatric e-health research using examples from pain research with adolescents

OBJECTIVE

The Internet is a frequently used platform for research in pediatric and health psychology. However, there is little pragmatic guidance as to ethical best practice of this research. The absence of guidance is particularly prominent for online research with children. Our objective is to outline ethical issues in e-health research with children and adolescents using two exemplar studies in pediatric pain research.

METHODS

The first study is an asynchronous message board discussion amongst teenagers with pain who are frequent internet users.The second study is a web-based behavioral intervention for the management of adolescent pain.

RESULTS

Each exemplar study is discussed in the context of specific ethical considerations related to recruitment, informed consent and debriefing, privacy and confidentiality, and participant safety. Ethical issues regarding the evaluation of online psychological interventions are also discussed.

CONCLUSIONS

Guidance on optimal ethical practice in e-health research is summarized.

Preventative osteopathic manipulative treatment and the elderly nursing home resident: a pilot study

CONTEXT

Elderly nursing home residents are generally in poor health. Many residents report pain on a daily basis, few are independent in their activities of daily living, and most take a large number of medications.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the benefits elderly nursing home residents may receive from preventative osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) designed to optimize structure and function and enhance their bodies' homeostatic mechanisms.

METHODS

Volunteer nursing home residents were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: (1) OMT, (2) light touch (LT), or (3) treatment as usual (TAU). The OMT group received an OMT protocol twice per month for 5 months, for a total of 10 visits. The LT group received a light-touch protocol meant to simulate OMT at the same frequency as the OMT group. The TAU group received no intervention. Participant health information from Minimum Data Set assessments was monitored during the study, along with hospitalizations, emergency room visits, and outpatient procedures. The nursing home personnel and the participants' attending physicians were blinded to treatment group assignment.

RESULTS

Twenty-one participants completed the study: 8 in the OMT group, 6 in the LT group, and 7 in the TAU group. The OMT and LT groups had fewer hospitalizations (P=.04) and decreased medication usage (P=.001) compared with the TAU group.

CONCLUSION

Twice monthly OMT and LT protocols reduced the number of hospitalizations and decreased medication usage in elderly nursing home residents.

Long-term functional outcome following intramedullary nailing of femoral shaft fractures

BACKGROUND

The management of femoral shaft fractures using intramedullary nailing is a popular method. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term functional outcome after antegrade or retrograde intramedullary nailing of traumatic femoral shaft fractures. We further determined predictors of these functional outcome scores.

METHODS

In a retrospective study, patients with a femoral shaft fracture but no other injuries to the lower limbs or pelvis were included. A total of 59 patients met the inclusion criteria. Functional outcome scores (Short Musculoskeletal Functional Assessment (SMFA), Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) index, Harris Hip Score (HHS) and the Lysholm knee function scoring scale) were measured at a mean of 7.8 years (± 3.5 years) postoperatively. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used to determine pain complaints of the lower limb.

RESULTS

The range of motion (ROM) of the hip and knee joints was comparable between the injured and uninjured leg, regardless of the nailing technique. Correlation between ROM and the final outcome scores was found to be fair to moderate. Even years after surgery, 17% of the patients still reported moderate to severe pain. A substantial correlation was observed between VAS and the patient-reported outcome scores. The most significant predictor of functional outcome was pain in the lower limb.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that the ROM of hip and knee returns to normal over time, regardless of the nailing method used. However, pain in the lower limb is an important predictor and source of disability after femoral shaft fractures, even though most patients achieved good functional outcome scores.

Readiness for change predicts outcomes of functional rehabilitation following motor vehicle accident

INTRODUCTION

Previous research has found pre-treatment motivational readiness to engage in pain self-management to be associated with completion of a rehabilitation program. This preliminary study examined this relationship, as well as the ability of pre-treatment readiness to change to predict clinical decisions of post-treatment functional work capacity.

METHODS

The sample consisted of 106 individuals involved in a tertiary functional rehabilitation program for motor vehicle accident (MVA) survivors. The Multidimensional Pain Inventory (MPI) and Pain Stages of Change Questionnaire (PSOCQ) were completed prior to treatment.

RESULTS

Hierarchical logistic regression analyses revealed that PSOCQ profile scores (P = 0.008), including higher individual PSOCQ contemplation (OR = 5.30; P = 0.017) and action (OR = 5.16; P = 0.049) scores, significantly increased the likelihood of completing the functional rehabilitation program. Clinical decisions about functional work capacity were predicted by MPI profile scores (P = 0.001), and this model was significantly improved by the addition of PSOCQ scores (P = 0.037). Lower MPI interference (OR = 5.41; P = 0.002), and higher MPI affective distress (OR = 2.81; P = 0.010), MPI support (OR = 1.72; P = 0.027), and PSOCQ action (OR = 5.35; P = 0.038) scores were significant predictors of clinicians' decisions regarding functional work capacity in the final model that identified 88% of those judged capable of returning to work and 63% of those who were judged not capable of returning to work.

CONCLUSIONS

This preliminary study suggests that readiness to self-manage pain is an important predictor of both completion of functional rehabilitation program and clinicians' decisions regarding functional work capacity after an MVA. The latter outcome appears to be more complex, influenced both by motivational readiness to engage in pain self-management and cognitive-behavioral adaptation to pain.

Physical activity, sustained sedentary behavior, and pain modulation in women with fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia (FM) has been conceptualized as a disorder of the central nervous system, characterized by augmented sensory processing and an inability to effectively modulate pain. We previously reported that physical activity is related to brain processing of pain, providing evidence for a potential mechanism of pain management. The purpose of this study was to extend our work by manipulating pain modulation and determining relationships to both physical activity and sustained sedentary behavior. Eleven women with FM completed accelerometer measures of physical activity and underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging of painful heat, administered alone and during distracting cognitive tasks. Results showed that physical activity was significantly (P < .005) and positively related to brain responses during distraction from pain in regions implicated in pain modulation including the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), the dorsal posterior cingulate, and the periaqueductal grey. A significant negative relationship occurred in the left anterior insula. For sedentary time, significant negative relationships were observed in areas involved in both pain modulation and the sensory-discriminative aspects of pain including the DLPFC, thalamus, and superior frontal and pre- and post-central gyri. These results suggest that physical activity and sedentary behaviors are related to central nervous system regulation of pain in FM.

PERSPECTIVE

Our results support a promising benefit of physical activity and highlight the potentially deleterious effects of sustained sedentary behavior for pain regulation in FM. Studies aimed at increasing physical activity or reducing sedentary behavior and determining the impact of these on pain regulation are warranted.

Adult attachment variables predict depression before and after treatment for chronic pain

The complex relationship between chronic pain and depression has long been of clinical and empirical interest. Although attachment theory has been described as a "theory of affect regulation", and has been lauded as a developmental framework for chronic pain, surprisingly little research specifically considers the links between adult attachment variables and pain-related depression. A sample of 99 participants with chronic pain of non-cancer origin was evaluated before and after pain rehabilitation. Results demonstrated that two attachment dimensions (comfort with closeness and relationship anxiety) were related to pre- and post-treatment depression. Of particular interest was the finding that comfort with closeness was the unique predictor of lower levels of post-treatment depression, usurping pain intensity and pre-treatment depression. These results are discussed in terms of clinical implications, and suggest that adult attachment theory may prove a valuable perspective in pain treatment programs.

Barriers to rehabilitation and return to work for unemployed chronic pain patients: A qualitative study

This paper explores the perceived barriers to return to work presented by unemployed patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. The findings are based on one to one in depth semi-structured interviews conducted with patients from four sites in the UK. Interview data were recorded from 38 patients (15 male, 23 female) aged between 29 and 62 years the sample included patients who had participated in a vocational rehabilitation scheme, those who had refused to participate and a nai ve group. Patients were in receipt of long-term social welfare benefits (incapacity benefits) and recruited via local Job Centres. The mean duration of work absence was over 5 years. The data was transcribed and analysed by means of thematic analysis. Several themes were identified as barriers to return to work from the data including pain related issues, uncertainty (both financial and physical), the healthcare system, interaction with benefits providers, perceptions of employers and personal limitations. The uncertainty and the pain condition itself were the overarching barriers from which other obstacles stemmed. This is the first qualitative study of long term unemployed benefit recipients with chronic pain. Others authors have reported psychosocial factors as barriers to work among disabled populations however, this qualitative study has identified barriers specific to unemployed chronic pain patients. The themes identified will help with the planning and development of future initiatives for returning chronic pain patients to employment.

Evidence-based guideline: Treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy: report of the American Academy of Neurology, the American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

OBJECTIVE

To develop a scientifically sound and clinically relevant evidence-based guideline for the treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN).

METHODS

We performed a systematic review of the literature from 1960 to August 2008 and classified the studies according to the American Academy of Neurology classification of evidence scheme for a therapeutic article, and recommendations were linked to the strength of the evidence. The basic question asked was: "What is the efficacy of a given treatment (pharmacological: anticonvulsants, antidepressants, opioids, others; and non-pharmacological: electrical stimulation, magnetic field treatment, low-intensity laser treatment, Reiki massage, others) to reduce pain and improve physical function and quality of life (QOL) in patients with PDN?"

RESULTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Pregabalin is established as effective and should be offered for relief of PDN (Level A). Venlafaxine, duloxetine, amitriptyline, gabapentin, valproate, opioids (morphine sulphate, tramadol, and oxycodone controlled-release), and capsaicin are probably effective and should be considered for treatment of PDN (Level B). Other treatments have less robust evidence or the evidence is negative. Effective treatments for PDN are available, but many have side effects that limit their usefulness, and few studies have sufficient information on treatment effects on function and QOL.

Feasibility of an exercise-based rehabilitation programme for chronic hip pain

BACKGROUND

Chronic hip pain is prevalent and disabling and has considerable consequences for the individual, and health and social care. Evidence-based guidelines recommend that patients with chronic hip pain benefit from exercise, but these guidelines are predominantly based on the efficacy of knee rehabilitation programmes. Studies investigating hip rehabilitation programmes suggest that these may not be feasible, citing issues with case identification. This study evaluated the feasibility of an exercise-based rehabilitation programme in a primary care hospital.

METHODS

Forty-eight participants with chronic hip pain were randomly allocated to receive a five-week exercise and self-management programme or to continue under the management of their general practitioner (GP). Participants were assessed at baseline, six weeks and six months. Outcome measures included Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index physical function subscale, pain, objective functional performance, self-efficacy, anxiety and depression.

RESULTS

This programme was feasible, well tolerated and easily implemented into a primary healthcare facility. Adherence to the programme was high (81% attendance). Immediately following rehabilitation, all outcomes measures improved (effect sizes 0.2-0.4), although these improvements diminished at six months. There were no differences between the groups (all p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

An exercise-based rehabilitation programme was found to be feasible and well tolerated by people with chronic hip pain. The moderate effects in all outcomes immediately following rehabilitation suggested that it warrants further investigation. Issues with diagnosis and adaptations to the programme were identified and will be addressed in a randomized controlled trial.

Treatment of chronic non-cancer pain

Chronic pain is a pervasive problem that affects the patient, their significant others, and society in many ways. The past decade has seen advances in our understanding of the mechanisms underlying pain and in the availability of technically advanced diagnostic procedures; however, the most notable therapeutic changes have not been the development of novel evidenced-based methods, but rather changing trends in applications and practices within the available clinical armamentarium. We provide a general overview of empirical evidence for the most commonly used interventions in the management of chronic non-cancer pain, including pharmacological, interventional, physical, psychological, rehabilitative, and alternative modalities. Overall, currently available treatments provide modest improvements in pain and minimum improvements in physical and emotional functioning. The quality of evidence is mediocre and has not improved substantially during the past decade. There is a crucial need for assessment of combination treatments, identification of indicators of treatment response, and assessment of the benefit of matching of treatments to patient characteristics.

Pain and motor control: From the laboratory to rehabilitation

Movement is changed in pain and is the target of clinical interventions. Yet the understanding of the physiological basis for movement adaptation in pain remains limited. Contemporary theories are relatively simplistic and fall short of providing an explanation for the variety of permutations of changes in movement control identified in clinical and experimental contexts. The link between current theories and rehabilitation is weak at best. New theories are required that both account for the breadth of changes in motor control in pain and provide direction for development and refinement of clinical interventions. This paper describes an expanded theory of the motor adaptation to pain to address these two issues. The new theory, based on clinical and experimental data argues that: activity is redistributed within and between muscles rather than stereotypical inhibition or excitation of muscles; modifies the mechanical behaviour in a variable manner with the objective to "protect" the tissues from further pain or injury, or threatened pain or injury; involves changes at multiple levels of the motor system that may be complementary, additive or competitive; and has short-term benefit, but with potential long-term consequences due to factors such as increased load, decreased movement, and decreased variability. This expanded theory provides guidance for rehabilitation directed at alleviating a mechanical contribution to the recurrence and persistence of pain that must be balanced with other aspects of a multifaceted intervention that includes management of psychosocial aspects of the pain experience.