A randomized controlled trial of acupuncture for osteoarthritis of the knee: effects of patient-provider communication

The importance of context (placebo effects) in conservative interventions for musculoskeletal pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

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.

Influence of patient-clinician relationship style on acupuncture outcomes in functional dyspepsia: A multi-site randomized controlled trial in Korea

INTRODUCTION

Research suggests that a warm and empathic "patient-centered" patient-clinician relationship produces better clinical outcomes when compared with a more neutral "disease-centered" relationship. Acupuncturists performed both styles of therapy for patients with functional dyspepsia in Korea.

METHODS

The present randomized controlled trial assigned patients (n = 73) to identical acupuncture treatment with either patient-centered augmented care or disease-centered limited care. The Korean version of the Nepean Dyspepsia Index (NDI-K) was the primary outcome measure. Secondary outcome measures included Consultation And Relational Empathy (CARE) scale.

RESULTS

Both groups showed improvement in NDI-K. Patient-centered augmented acupuncture produced less effective symptom improvement compared to disease-centered limited acupuncture (NDI-K sum score and frequency; P = 0.008 and P = 0.037 respectively). CARE scores were higher for the augmented versus limited group (P = 0.001), supporting the fidelity of the experimentally controlled patient/clinician relationship. There were no significant differences between the groups in any of other secondary outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Patients demonstrated greater improvement following acupuncture conducted with a more neutral, "disease-centered" style of relationship. This result is counter to similar research conducted in Western countries and suggests that cultural factors can significantly shape optimum styles of acupuncture therapy.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Clinicians should consider cultural differences when applying acupuncture therapy.

Talking in primary care (TIP): protocol for a cluster-randomised controlled trial in UK primary care to assess clinical and cost-effectiveness of communication skills e-learning for practitioners on patients' musculoskeletal pain and enablement

INTRODUCTION

Effective communication can help optimise healthcare interactions and patient outcomes. However, few interventions have been tested clinically, subjected to cost-effectiveness analysis or are sufficiently brief and well-described for implementation in primary care. This paper presents the protocol for determining the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a rigorously developed brief eLearning tool, EMPathicO, among patients with and without musculoskeletal pain.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

A cluster randomised controlled trial in general practitioner (GP) surgeries in England and Wales serving patients from diverse geographic, socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds. GP surgeries are randomised (1:1) to receive EMPathicO e-learning immediately, or at trial end. Eligible practitioners (eg, GPs, physiotherapists and nurse practitioners) are involved in managing primary care patients with musculoskeletal pain. Patient recruitment is managed by practice staff and researchers. Target recruitment is 840 adults with and 840 without musculoskeletal pain consulting face-to-face, by telephone or video. Patients complete web-based questionnaires at preconsultation baseline, 1 week and 1, 3 and 6 months later. There are two patient-reported primary outcomes: pain intensity and patient enablement. Cost-effectiveness is considered from the National Health Service and societal perspectives. Secondary and process measures include practitioner patterns of use of EMPathicO, practitioner-reported self-efficacy and intentions, patient-reported symptom severity, quality of life, satisfaction, perceptions of practitioner empathy and optimism, treatment expectancies, anxiety, depression and continuity of care. Purposive subsamples of patients, practitioners and practice staff take part in up to two qualitative, semistructured interviews.

ETHICS APPROVAL AND DISSEMINATION

Approved by the South Central Hampshire B Research Ethics Committee on 1 July 2022 and the Health Research Authority and Health and Care Research Wales on 6 July 2022 (REC reference 22/SC/0145; IRAS project ID 312208). Results will be disseminated via peer-reviewed academic publications, conference presentations and patient and practitioner outlets. If successful, EMPathicO could quickly be made available at a low cost to primary care practices across the country.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ISRCTN18010240.

Effects of sham acupuncture for chronic musculoskeletal pain syndrome: A systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Acupuncture has been widely used for chronic musculoskeletal pain syndrome (MPS). Due to the strong influence of sham acupuncture (SA) in clinical trials, the treatment of MPS by acupuncture remains controversial. Different types of SA procedures might produce different responses. The purpose of this systematic review was to assess the effect of SA on MPS.

METHODS

We searched 8 literature databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on acupuncture for chronic MPS with SA as a control from database inception to November 29, 2022. SA included superficial acupuncture on non-acupoints (SANAs), non-penetration on acupoints (NPAs), and non-penetration on non-acupoints (NPNAs). Two independent reviewers assessed the risk of bias and conducted the research selection, data extraction, and quality assessment of the included RCTs. We conducted data analysis using the RevMan 5.3 and STATA 14 software packages, and traditional meta-analysis was adopted for direct comparison. A network meta-analysis (NMA) was executed using frequency models in which we combined all available direct and indirect evidence from RCTs. The pain-related indicators were set as primary outcomes, and GRADEpro online was implemented for the assessment of evidence quality.

RESULTS

Forty-two RCTs were included in this study, encompassing a total of 6876 patients and incorporating 3 types of SA procedures. In our traditional meta-analysis, true acupuncture (TA) was more effective than SANAs, NPAs, and NPANAs concerning MPS. In the NMA, TA was the most effective modality, followed by SANAs, NPAs and NPANAs, and then the blank control (BC). In this NMA and according to the therapeutic effects in the pain indicators, the rankings of SA were as follows: SANA (surface under the cumulative ranking curve [SUCRA], 65.3%), NPA (SUCRA, 46.2%), and NPANA (SUCRA, 34.2%). The quality of the evidence for outcomes ranged from "low" to "moderate."

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with SA, TA was effective in treating MPS. The effects produced by different SA procedures were different, and the order of effects from greatest to least was as follows: SANA, NPA, and NPANA.

Factors Associated with Treatment Outcome Satisfaction Six Months after Upper Blepharoplasty: A Large Cohort Study

Background

Upper blepharoplasty is the most popular facial cosmetic surgery. Although there are a variety of reasons to undergo this procedure, all patients expect an optimal cosmetic result. However, little is known about the factors that influence satisfaction with treatment outcome.

Objectives

We assessed to what extent patient characteristics, clinician-rated and postsurgical outcome measures, and patient-reported satisfaction with facial appearance and quality-of-life are associated with patient-reported satisfaction with treatment outcome after a primary upper blepharoplasty.

Methods

This study was performed in 583 patients with an upper blepharoplasty between 2016 and 2021. The primary outcome was satisfaction with treatment outcome 6 months postoperatively using the FACE-Q. Determinants were baseline patient characteristics (demographics), preoperative and postoperative clinician-rated and surgical outcome measures, and preoperative and postoperative FACE-Q appearance and quality-of-life scales. Hierarchical linear regression analysis was used to determine how much of the variance in satisfaction with outcome could be explained by these groups of determinants.

Results

A total of 63% of the variance could be explained by the five groups of determinants of which 8% was explained by the baseline patient characteristics and clinician-rated and patient-reported outcomes together, another 8% by the postoperative clinician-rated outcomes, and the remaining 47% by the postoperative patient-reported outcomes.

Conclusions

Patient characteristics, clinician-rated outcome measures, and baseline FACE-Q appearance and quality-of-life scores were of limited value in explaining satisfaction with treatment outcome. However, the postoperative FACE-Q appearance scale and the decision to undergo a blepharoplasty were strongly associated with satisfaction with treatment outcome.

Patient perspectives of positive messages from clinicians: a qualitative secondary analysis and conceptual model

Background: A review and meta- analysis of empathic communication and patients' expectations of interventions has shown that if positive messages are delivered there is a small but measurable reduction of pain and anxiety and some improvements in physical outcomes. Aim: To identify elements of health messages that may have a positive impact on patient health outcomes to guide effective nurse-patient- communication. Methods: Data were extracted from each study in a qualitative analysis of a systematic review investigating the health effects of positive messages, and analysed following the principles of thematic analysis. Findings: Central to effective positive messages were good communication skills. Five key features were identified. Discussion: The non-treatment care categories such as cognitive care and emotional care can significantly influence health outcomes across a range of interactions. Conclusion: Strategies to facilitate positivity can be incorporated into nursing education programs designed to improve patient outcomes.

Empathy in patient-clinician interactions when using telecommunication: A rapid review of the evidence

Objectives

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the replacement of many face-to-face healthcare consultations with telephone consultations. Little is known about the extent to which empathy can be expressed in telephone consultations. Our objective is to review evidence related to empathy in telephone consultations including clinical outcomes, and patient/practitioner experiences.

Methods

Searches of Medline/Ovid and PsycINFO/Ovid were undertaken. Titles and abstract screening, data extraction, and risk of bias were undertaken by two reviewers. Discrepancies were resolved in discussion with additional reviewers. Included studies were specific to tele-communications with empirical data on empathy related to patient outcomes/views, published (in English), 2010–2021. Studies that did not mention empathy explicitly were excluded.

Results

Our search yielded 740 individual records and 8 studies (527 patients, 20 practitioners) met inclusion criteria: Some barriers to expression of empathy were noted, but no major obstacles were reported. However, data was sparse and most studies had a high risk of bias.

Conclusion

Empathy in telephone consultations is possible, (though the loss of non-verbal cues and touch can present barriers) however the research does not yet identify how.

Innovation

It is possible to establish and display empathy in telephone consultations, but future research needs to identify how this can be optimized.

Funding

This work was supported by a 10.13039/501100000272National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) 10.13039/501100013374School for Primary Care Research grant (project number 389). The 10.13039/501100000739University of Southampton's Primary Care Department is a member of the 10.13039/501100013374NIHR School for Primary Care Research and supported by NIHR Research funds. The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.

Protocol registration.

PROSPERO (CRD42021238087).

The increased inter-brain neural synchronization in prefrontal cortex between simulated patient and acupuncturist during acupuncture stimulation: Evidence from functional near-infrared spectroscopy hyperscanning

The patient-acupuncturist interaction was a critical influencing factor for acupuncture effects but its mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the inter-brain mechanism of patient-acupuncturist dyad during acupuncture stimulation in a naturalistic clinical setting. Seventy healthy subjects (simulated "patients") were randomly assigned to two groups and received verum acupuncture group or sham acupuncture by one acupuncturist. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy hyperscanning was used to simultaneously record the neural responses of "patient"-acupuncturist dyad during acupuncture stimulation in each group. The results showed that inter-brain neural synchronization (INS) in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of "patient"-acupuncturist dyad was significantly increased during verum but not sham acupuncture stimuli, and positively correlated with the needling sensations of "patients." Granger causality analysis demonstrated that there were no significant differences in INS direction between the "patient" and the acupuncturist. This study identified the increase of INS between "patient" and acupuncturist, and suggested that PFC was important to the interaction of "patient"-acupuncturist dyad.

Integrative medicine in patients with degenerative arthritis of the knee: A pilot randomized control study

BACKGROUND

We aimed to comparatively analyze the effect of integrative medicine treatments (lifestyle change education, use of anti-inflammatory drugs, acupuncture, manual therapy-type massage) and conventional medical treatments (lifestyle change education and use of anti-inflammatory drugs) on pain control, knee function improvement, and quality of life improvement in patients with degenerative knee arthritis.

METHODS

In this study, 30 patients were randomly divided into the control group (n = 15) and the experimental group (n = 15). Both groups were prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs and lifestyle change education for 12 weeks. The experimental group underwent acupuncture including electroacupuncture, moxibustion, and manual therapy-type massage 12 times during the first 6 weeks. Evaluations were performed at 3 visits: visit 1 (before treatment), visit 2 (6 weeks after initial treatment), and visit 3 (12 weeks after initial treatment). The effect of each treatment was measured using Visual Analog Scale (VAS, 0-10), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities index (WOMAC), and SF-36.

RESULTS

From visit 1 to visit 2, the mean value of VAS decreased by 0.72 and 3.17 in the control and experimental groups, respectively. From visit 2 to visit 3, the mean VAS value decreased by 0.25 in the control group but increased by 0.87 in the experimental group. Among the sub-area of SF-36, the physical role restriction area and mental health area showed significant differences between the 2 groups over time (P = .024, P = .006).

CONCLUSION

Integrative medicine treatment has superior effects in pain control over conventional medical treatment. In integrative medicine treatment, pain control tends to decrease with time, but still superior over conventional medical treatment up to 6 weeks after treatment (12 weeks after initial treatment).

Augmented Rehabilitation Program for Patients 60 Years and Younger Following Total Hip Arthroplasty-Feasibility Study

The purpose of this study is to examine the feasibility, safety and outcomes of a study comparing a 6-week post-operative rehabilitation program to usual care in patients ≤60 years undergoing elective unilateral total hip arthroplasty (THA). Methods: A cohort of 24 THA patients were recruited during their 6-week postoperative visit to their surgeons. The community-based rehabilitation program, which was designed to improve function and increase activity, consisted of 12 structured exercise classes on land and water over 6 weeks. Physical activity was assessed using a Sense Wear Pro Armband (SWA). Participants completed the Hip Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS) and THA satisfaction questionnaire before and immediately after the intervention. Results: 14 participants received the augmented rehabilitation, and 10 participants were in the control group. All except one in the intervention group completed at least 80% of the sessions. The intervention group took significantly more steps/day (mean difference = 2440 steps/day, 95% CI = 1678, 4712) (p < 0.05), at the follow-up compared to baseline. The intervention group had a higher mean change of number of weekly PA bouts than the control group. Within the intervention group, all HOOS subscales were significantly higher at the follow-up compared to baseline. Conclusion: Findings provided pragmatic insight regarding the intervention and assessments of implementing an augmented rehabilitation program for elective THA.

Patient and practitioner priorities and concerns about primary healthcare interactions for osteoarthritis: A meta-ethnography

OBJECTIVE

To explore primary care practitioners' (PCPs) and patients' priorities and concerns for healthcare interactions for osteoarthritis (OA) in primary care.

METHODS

We searched Embase, CINAHL, Medline, PsychInfo (1990 to present) for primary qualitative and mixed methods studies with findings concerning healthcare interactions for OA symptoms. Patient and PCP perceptions were analysed separately then inter-related using a 'line of argument' synthesis.

RESULTS

Twenty-six studies reporting qualitative data from 557 patients and 199 PCPs were synthesised. Our findings suggest that therapeutic interactions for OA can be based on discordant priorities and concerns; some patients perceive that PCPs hold negative attitudes about OA and feel their concerns about impact are not appreciated; some PCPs feel patients have misconceptions about prognosis, and hold pessimistic views about outcomes; and both tend to de-prioritise OA within consultations.

CONCLUSION

Greater working in partnership could build mutual trust, facilitate tailored provision of information, and foster a shared understanding of OA upon which to build realistic goals for management.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Developing a better shared understanding of OA has the potential to improve the quality of healthcare interactions for both patients and PCPs. The significant impact of OA on everyday life means it should be given higher priority in primary care consultations.

Do patients’ pre-treatment expectations about acupuncture effectiveness predict treatment outcome in patients with chronic low back pain? A secondary analysis of data from a randomised controlled clinical trial

Objective

This secondary analysis of a randomised controlled patient-blinded trial comparing effectiveness and side effect briefings in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) investigated the association between patients’ pre-treatment expectations about minimal acupuncture treatment and pain intensity as outcome during and after the end of the treatment.

Methods

Chronic low back pain patients with a pain intensity of at least 4 on a numeric rating scale from 0 to 10 received eight sessions of minimal acupuncture treatment over 4 weeks. The primary outcome was change in pain intensity rated on a Numerical Rating Scale (NRS 0–10) from inclusion visit to treatment session 4 and to the end of the treatment. Patients’ expectations about the effectiveness of acupuncture were assessed using the Expectation for Treatment Scale (ETS) before randomization. Linear regression was applied to investigate whether patients’ pre-treatment expectations predicted changes in pain intensity during and after treatment.

Results

A total of 142 CLBP patients (40.1 ± 12.5 years; 65.5% female) were included in our analysis. Patients’ pre-treatment expectations about acupuncture treatment were associated with changes in pain intensity after four sessions of minimal acupuncture treatment (b = -0.264, p = 0.002), but not after the end of the treatment. This association was found in females and males.

Conclusions

Our results imply that higher pre-treatment expectations only lead to larger reductions in pain intensity in the initial phase of a treatment, with a similar magnitude for both females and males. As the treatment progresses in the second half of the treatment, adapted expectations or other non-specific effects might play a more important role in predicting treatment outcome.

Acupuncture for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials with Meta-Analyses and Trial Sequential Analyses

Background

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) can cause chronic pain and seriously affect the quality of patient lives. The continued emergence of high-quality RCTS requires us to update the quality of evidence. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture for KOA patients and calculate the required information size (RIS) to determine whether further clinical studies are required.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Embase, WOS, CBM, CNKI, VIP, WHO ICTRP, ChiCTR, and Grey literature to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture for KOA from inception to December 2021. A meta-analysis was performed according to the Cochrane systematic review method by using Review Manager 5.4 and TSA 0.9.5.10 beta, and GRADE was used to evaluate the quality of the evidence. Trial sequential analysis was used to control random errors and calculate the required information size.

Results

Eleven RCTs with 2484 patients were included in our meta-analysis, meeting the inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis indicated that acupuncture had beneficial effect on knee osteoarthritis in reducing pain [n = 2387; SMD = -0.12, 95% CI (-0.20, -0.04); I 2 = 0%] and improved patients function activities [n = 2408; MD = -1.25, 95% CI (-1.97, -0.53); I 2 = 0%], but true acupuncture showed no significant effect in relieve patient's stiffness [n = 1337; MD = -0.07, 95% CI (-0.30, 0.15); I 2 = 0%]. We pooled the studies which found no significant difference in improving the quality life of mental [n = 1462; SMD = 0.02, 95% CI (-0.23, 0.27); I 2 = 78%] and patients physical health (SF-36 or SF-12) [n = 1745; SMD = 1.01, 95% CI (-0.08, 2.11); I 2 = 0%] compared with sham acupuncture. The pain and function TSA graphs indicated that cumulative Z-curves intersected with the traditional level of statistical favoring acupuncture, and more RCTs will required in the future studies.

Conclusion

Acupuncture has beneficial effect on pain relief and improves function activities, and this treatment can be recommended as a beneficial alternative therapy in patients with KOA, particularly for chronic patients and those currently undergoing long-term pain and help them increasing quality of life. But it should be further verified through more RCTs in function. Available studies suggested that acupuncture was superior to sham acupuncture in reduce pain and function as verified by TSA.

Clinician views on optimism and empathy in primary care consultations

Background

Practitioner expressions of optimism and empathy may improve treatment engagement, adherence, and patient satisfaction but are not delivered consistently amid the challenges of everyday clinical practice.

Aim

To explore primary care practitioner (PCP) views about optimistic and empathic communication in consultations; and to identify behavioural, attitudinal, and/or contextual issues likely to encourage or deter PCPs from practising such communication.

Design & setting

Qualitative interview study with 20 PCPs (GPs, practice nurses, and primary care physiotherapists).

Method

Semi-structured telephone interviews with 20 PCPs. Data were analysed thematically.

Results

A conceptual mismatch between optimism and patient expectations became apparent; when asked how PCPs communicate about the likely effects of a treatment, answers were focussed around managing patient expectations. When prompted, it became clear PCPs were open to communicating optimistically with patients, but emphasised the need for realism. Concerns arose that patients may not be receptive to optimistic messages, especially when holding negative expectations. PCPs felt that expressing empathy is fundamental to all clinical consultations, noting that it can be challenging. Some PCPs worried that increasing expressions of empathy might increase their risk of clinician burnout and felt guilty about (appropriately) communicating empathy while maintaining some emotional distance.

Conclusion

PCPs agreed expressing realistic optimism during consultations could aid communication and would constitute a novel change to practice. PCPs strive for clinical empathy but can struggle to manage emotional self-protection. Specific training to help PCPs express realistic optimism and empathy, and better utilise efficient non-verbal skills could help these issues.

Patients' Expectancies to Acupuncture: A Systematic Review

Objective: This systematic review aimed to document and describe how and when to assess patients' expectancies to acupuncture and the relationship between patients' expectancies and clinical effects. Materials and Methods: Three English databases, including PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and EMBASE, and four Chinese databases, including the Chinese Biomedicine Literature Database, Chinese Journal Full-text Database, Chinese Scientific Journal Full-text Database, and Wanfang Database, were searched up to February 2020. Studies involving patients' expectancies to acupuncture were included. Based on the detailed situations of patients' expectancies, we made a standardized data extraction table that included the basic information of articles, study design details, and measurement of expectations. Based on the data, a descriptive analysis was performed, covering the characteristics of studies, measuring methods of expectations and the relationship between patients' expectancies and clinical effects. Methodology quality assessment was also performed by the risk of bias and the standards for reporting interventions in controlled trials of acupuncture. Results: There were 61 randomized controlled trials included in our analysis. The number of articles increased gradually over time and grew significantly after 2008. About half of trials focused on pain alleviation. Expectancies were measured before the treatment (N = 43), after the treatment (N = 3), and both before and after the treatment (N = 10), and five studies did not mention it. The measurement of expectancies used self-made questionnaires or scales (N = 27), the Acupuncture Expectations Scale (N = 6), and other scales (N = 11), while 17 studies did not describe what scale they used. The used questionnaires or scales mostly tried to ascertain the strength of confidence that acupuncture would help. Patients' expectancies and clinical effects were relevant in 19 studies, irrelevant in 21 studies, and were not mentioned in 21 studies. Conclusions: Patients' expectations to acupuncture have received increasing attention in recent years, but there is still no recognized measurement time and methods. It is critical to develop questions and answers regarding patients' expectations with better discrimination and reliability to accurately assess expectations and to explore the relationship between patients' expectations and acupuncture outcomes in future trials.

An up to date on clinical prospects and management of osteoarthritis

The rising prevalence of osteoarthritis (OA) in the general population has necessitated the development of novel treatment options. It is critical to recognize the joint as a separate entity participating in degenerative processes, as well as the multifaceted nature of OA. OA is incurable because there is currently no medication that can stop or reverse cartilage or bone loss. As this point of view has attracted attention, more research is being directed toward determining how the various joint components are impacted and how they contribute to OA pathogenesis. Over the next few years, several prospective therapies focusing on inflammation, cartilage metabolism, subchondral bone remodelling, cellular senescence, and the peripheral nociceptive pathway are predicted to transform the OA therapy landscape. Stem cell therapies and the use of various biomaterials to target articular cartilage (AC) and osteochondral tissues are now being investigated in considerable detail. Currently, laboratory-made cartilage tissues are on the verge of being used in clinical settings. This review focuses on the update of clinical prospects and management of osteoarthritis, as well as future possibilities for the treatment of OA.

•

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a general term that incorporates several different joint diseases.

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The exact pathophysiology of OA remains unclear.

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OA is incurable because there is currently no medication that can stop or reverse cartilage or bone loss.

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Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the most frequently prescribed medications to alleviate arthritic discomfort.

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Stem cell therapies to target articular cartilage and osteochondral tissues are now under investigation.

Effect of Briefing on Acupuncture Treatment Outcome Expectations, Pain, and Adverse Side Effects Among Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial

IMPORTANCE

In observational studies, patients' treatment outcome expectations have been associated with better outcomes (ie, a placebo response), whereas concerns about adverse side effects have been associated with an in increase in the negative effects of treatments (ie, a nocebo response). Some randomized trials have suggested that communication from clinicians could affect the treatment outcomes by changing patients' expectations.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether treatment outcome expectations and reported adverse side effects could be affected by different briefing contents before a minimal acupuncture treatment in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP).

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This randomized single-blinded clinical trial was conducted among patients with CLBP at 1 outpatient clinic in Switzerland who had a pain intensity of at least 4 on a numeric rating scale from 0 to 10. Different recruitment channels were used to enroll patients. Data were collected from May 2016 to December 2017 and were analyzed from June to November 2018.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients were randomized to receive either a regular expectation briefing or a high expectation briefing (effectiveness) and either a regular adverse side effect briefing or an intense adverse side effect briefing (adverse side effect) in a 2 × 2 factorial design. The intervention (briefing sessions and written materials) was standardized and delivered before the acupuncture treatment, with additional booster informative emails provided during the 4-week, 8-session acupuncture course.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary end point was the patients' expectations regarding the effectiveness of the acupuncture treatment (Expectation for Treatment Scale [ETS]) after the briefing and the subsequent pain intensity (numeric rating scale). The primary end point for the adverse side effect briefing was the adverse side effect score at the end of the acupuncture treatment, derived from session-by-session assessments of adverse side effects.

RESULTS

A total of 152 patients with CLBP (mean [SD] age, 39.54 [12.52] years; 100 [65.8%] women) were included. The estimated group difference (regular vs high) for the ETS was -0.16 (95% CI -0.81 to 0.50, P = .64), indicating no evidence for a difference between intervention groups. There was also no evidence for a difference in pain intensity at the end of the acupuncture treatment between the groups with different expectation briefings. The adverse side effects score in the group with the intense adverse side effect briefing were estimated to be 1.31 times higher (95% CI, 0.94 to 1.82; P = .11) than after a regular adverse side effect briefing, but the finding was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this study, suggestions regarding treatment benefits (placebo) and adverse side effects (nocebo) did not affect treatment expectations or adverse side effects. Information regarding adverse side effects might require more research to understand nocebo responses.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

German Clinical Trials Register Identifier: DRKS00010191.

A Retrospective Chart Review of 122 Inpatients with Knee Osteoarthritis Treated with Korean Medicine: An Analysis of the Effects of Treatment

Background: Korean medicine treatment was assessed in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) according to subgroups of: sex, age, cause of knee OA, body mass index, hospitalization period, history, OA compartment, phenotype, and comorbidity. Methods: A retrospective review was performed of 122 inpatients who were admitted to the Hospital of Korean Medicine for Korean medicine treatment of knee pain, and were diagnosed with knee OA based on magnetic resonance imaging findings. Analysis of patient subgroups (sex, age, cause of knee OA, body mass index, hospitalization period, history, OA compartment, phenotype, and comorbidity) was carried out and treatments including acupuncture, cupping, pharmacopuncture, herbal medicine, chuna therapy, medicinal steaming therapy, manual therapy, and extracorporeal shock wave therapy were listed. The numeric rating scale (NRS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and 5-level EuroQol- 5 Dimension (EQ-5D-5L) scores were measured before and after treatment to assess the effects of treatment on pain and quality of life. Results: Seventeen males and 105 females were included in this study. Most patients were in their 60s. In the total study population, NRS, WOMAC, and EQ-5D-5L scores were improved statistically significant when comparing before and after treatment. The NRS and WOMAC scores improved statistically significant in the medial, patellofemoral, medial + patellofemoral, medial + lateral + patellofemoral compartment. Conclusion: Korean medicine treatment significantly reduced pain, stiffness, and physical dysfunction, and improved the quality of life of patients with knee OA, suggesting that it may be an effective alternative to the current conservative treatments.

What can be done to control the placebo response in clinical trials? A narrative review

The desire to reduce high placebo response rates in clinical trials is a popular concept. However, few studies have rigorously examined the effectiveness of methods to control for placebo responses that are relevant to randomized controlled trials. The primary objective of this review was to evaluate the effect of experimental placebo manipulations in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We critically reviewed studies designed to manipulate placebo responses including positive expectations regarding the effectiveness of the placebo treatment, manipulating the time spent with subjects, and training study staff and subjects to accurately report symptom severity. These efforts have generally resulted in reduced placebo response and improved discrimination between drug and placebo. Interventions that neutralize staff and subject expectations and improve the ability of subjects to accurately report symptom severity have shown the most promise. Reduction of the placebo response has the potential to accelerate the development of new therapeutics.

Patients With Higher Treatment Outcome Expectations Are More Satisfied With the Results of Nonoperative Treatment for Thumb Base Osteoarthritis: A Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate how satisfaction with treatment outcome is associated with patient mindset and Michigan Hand Outcome Questionnaire (MHQ) scores at baseline and 3 months in patients receiving nonoperative treatment for first carpometacarpal joint (CMC-1) osteoarthritis (OA).

DESIGN

Cohort study SETTING: A total of 20 outpatient locations of a clinic for hand surgery and hand therapy in the Netherlands.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients (N=308) receiving nonoperative treatment for CMC-1 OA, including exercise therapy, an orthosis, or both, between September 2017 and February 2019.

INTERVENTIONS

Nonoperative treatment (ie, exercise therapy, an orthosis, or both) MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Satisfaction with treatment outcomes was measured after 3 months of treatment. We measured total MHQ score at baseline and at 3 months. As baseline mindset factors, patients completed questionnaires on treatment outcome expectations, illness perceptions, pain catastrophizing, and psychological distress. We used multivariable logistic regression analysis and mediation analysis to identify factors associated with satisfaction with treatment outcomes.

RESULTS

More positive pretreatment outcome expectations were associated with a higher probability of being satisfied with treatment outcomes at 3 months (odds ratio, 1.15; 95% confidence interval, 1.07-1.25). Only a relatively small part (33%) of this association was because of a higher total MHQ score at 3 months. None of the other mindset and hand function variables at baseline were associated with satisfaction with treatment outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that patients with higher pretreatment outcome expectations are more likely to be satisfied with treatment outcomes after 3 months of nonoperative treatment for CMC-1 OA. This association could only partially be explained by a better functional outcome at 3 months for patients who were satisfied. Health care providers treating patients nonoperatively for CMC-1 OA should be aware of the importance of expectations and may take this into account in pretreatment counseling.

Does patient's expectation benefit acupuncture treatment?: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Patients' expectation to treatment response is one source of placebo effects. A number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reported that expectation benefits to acupuncture treatment, while some did not. Previous systematic reviews failed to draw a confirmative conclusion due to the methodological heterogeneity. It is necessary to conduct a new systematic review to find out whether expectation can influence acupuncture outcomes.

METHODS

We systematically search English and Chinese databases from their inception to 3rd October, 2020, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Chinese BioMedical Literature Database (CBM), Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database (VIP). RCTs that evaluated the relationship between expectation and treatment response following acupuncture for adults will be included. Study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment will be conducted independently. Risk of bias will be assessed by the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool. Data synthesis will be performed by Review Manager (RevMan) software if the data is suitable for synthesis.

RESULTS

This systematic review will provide evidence that whether patients' expectation impacts on the therapeutic effects of acupuncture. This protocol will be performed and reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items from Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) statement. The findings of this review will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review aims to assess whether a higher level of patient's expectation contributes to a better outcome after acupuncture treatment, and in which medical condition this contribution will be more significant.

INPLASY REGISTRATION NUMBER

INPLASY2020100020 on International Platform of Registered Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Protocols.

Design and conduct of confirmatory chronic pain clinical trials

The purpose of this article is to provide readers with a basis for understanding the emerging science of clinical trials and to provide a set of practical, evidence-based suggestions for designing and executing confirmatory clinical trials in a manner that minimizes measurement error. The most important step in creating a mindset of quality clinical research is to abandon the antiquated concept that clinical trials are a method for capturing data from clinical practice and shifting to a concept of the clinical trial as a measurement system, consisting of an interconnected set of processes, each of which must be in calibration for the trial to generate an accurate and reliable estimate of the efficacy (and safety) of a given treatment. The status quo of inaccurate, unreliable, and protracted clinical trials is unacceptable and unsustainable. This article gathers aspects of study design and conduct under a single broad umbrella of techniques available to improve the accuracy and reliability of confirmatory clinical trials across traditional domain boundaries.

Do the effects of acupuncture vary between acupuncturists? Analysis of the Acupuncture Trialists' Collaboration individual patient data meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

The degree to which the effects of acupuncture treatment vary between acupuncturists is unknown. We used a large individual patient dataset of trials of acupuncture for chronic pain to assess practitioner heterogeneity.

METHODS

Individual patient data linked to identifiable acupuncturists were drawn from a dataset of 39 high-quality trials of acupuncture, where the comparators were either sham acupuncture or non-acupuncture controls, such as standard care or waitlist. Heterogeneity among acupuncturists was assessed by meta-analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 1206 acupuncturists in 13 trials were included. Statistically significant heterogeneity was found in trials with sham-control groups (p < 0.0001) and non-acupuncture control groups (p <0.0001). However, the degree of heterogeneity was very small, with the observed distribution of treatment effects virtually overlapping that expected by chance. For instance, for non-acupuncture-controlled trials, the proportion of acupuncturists with effect sizes half a standard deviation greater or less than average was expected to be 34%, but was observed to be 37%. A limitation is that the trials included a relatively limited range of acupuncturists, mainly physician-acupuncturists.

DISCUSSION

Although differences in effects between acupuncturists were greater than expected by chance, the degree of variation was small. This suggests that most chronic pain patients in clinical practice would have similar results to those reported in high-quality trials; comparably, we did not find evidence to suggest that greater standardization of acupuncture practice would improve outcomes. Further research needs to be conducted exploring variability using a sample of acupuncturists with a broader range of practice styles, training and experience.

Open-label placebos for menopausal hot flushes: a randomized controlled trial

This study investigated the efficacy of an open-label placebo (OLP) treatment for menopausal hot flushes. Women with at least five moderate or severe hot flushes per day were allocated to receive four weeks of OLP for twice a day or no-treatment. Intention-to-treat analyses included n = 100 women. In comparison to no-treatment, OLP reduced the log-transformed hot flush composite score (frequency × intensity) (mean difference in change: − 0.32, 95% CI [− 0.43; − 0.21], p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 0.86), hot flush frequency (− 1.12 [− 1.81; − 0.43], p = 0.02, Cohen’s d = 0.51), and improved overall menopause-related quality of life (− 2.53 [− 4.17; − 0.89], p = 0.02, Cohen’s d = 0.49). Twelve (24%) (vs. three [6%]) patients had 50% lesser hot flushes. Problem rating of hot flushes and subdomains of quality of life did not improve. After four weeks, the OLP group was further divided via randomization to continue or discontinue the treatment. Benefits were maintained at week 8 (log-transformed score: − 0.04 [− 0.06; 0.14], p = 0.45). There was no difference between taking placebos for 8 or 4 weeks (log-transformed score: 0.04 [− 0.17; 0.25], p = 0.73). Results indicate that open-label placebos may be an effective, safe alternative for menopausal hot flushes.

Dynamic brain-to-brain concordance and behavioral mirroring as a mechanism of the patient-clinician interaction

The patient-clinician interaction can powerfully shape treatment outcomes such as pain but is often considered an intangible "art of medicine" and has largely eluded scientific inquiry. Although brain correlates of social processes such as empathy and theory of mind have been studied using single-subject designs, specific behavioral and neural mechanisms underpinning the patient-clinician interaction are unknown. Using a two-person interactive design, we simultaneously recorded functional magnetic resonance imaging (hyperscanning) in patient-clinician dyads, who interacted via live video, while clinicians treated evoked pain in patients with chronic pain. Our results show that patient analgesia is mediated by patient-clinician nonverbal behavioral mirroring and brain-to-brain concordance in circuitry implicated in theory of mind and social mirroring. Dyad-based analyses showed extensive dynamic coupling of these brain nodes with the partners' brain activity, yet only in dyads with pre-established clinical rapport. These findings introduce a putatively key brain-behavioral mechanism for therapeutic alliance and psychosocial analgesia.

"Miracle" or "Medicine": A Turning-Point Analysis of Patients' and Physicians' Shifting Views on Acupuncture

Objective: Acupuncture is one of the most widely used treatments of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) within the military's health system. The success of CAM integration is partially dependent on both providers' and patients' perceptions that acupuncture is health-promoting. The aim of this research was to identify turning points, or changes, across treatments that enhanced or inhibited physicians' and patients' perception of acupuncture as health-promoting. Materials and Methods: Using a retrospective-interview approach, interviews were conducted with 15 family medicine physicians practicing medical acupuncture in a family medicine setting and with 17 patients (N = 32). Turning points were separated into 2 groups (health-promoting or health-inhibiting). Similarities and differences between perspectives were noted. Results: Patients and physicians identified two changes that enhanced their perspective of acupuncture as health-promoting: (1) observed health changes and (2) pain-medicine/narcotic reduction/elimination. Patients identified their ability to fulfill personal or professional roles, whereas physicians identified (1) training experiences and (2) enhanced relationships with patients. Health-inhibiting changes in perspective were identified as logistical constraints/barriers by both parties, although their perspectives differed to some degree. Turning points that were viewed as health-inhibiting treatment were identified as clinical challenges by physicians and as a lack of consistency in care by patients. Conclusions: The insight from these findings can help identify areas where medical acupuncture can be improved to promote successful integration in conventional medicine settings, as well as how providers can tailor communication with patients about acupuncture.

Efficacy of Acupoints Dual-Frequency Low-Level Laser Therapy on Knee Osteoarthritis

BACKGROUND

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) presented with knee pain and limitation of mobility is common, and it may become a chronic problem resulting in major loss of function, with related impaired activity of daily living. Current traditional therapy for knee OA includes pharmacological treatment and physiotherapy, but the efficacies are limited. An alternative noninvasive treatment low-level laser therapy (LLLT) applied to acupoints is still contradictory and the efficacy needs to be assessed.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

We conduct the randomized double-blind control study to investigate the efficacy of a dual-frequency LLLT (combines red light (780 nm) and near-infrared light (830 nm)) in patients suffering knee OA. Participates were randomly assigned into active laser therapy (ALT) and placebo laser therapy (PLT) groups. Subjects in the ALT group were separately treated by laser apparatus at the three acupoints (SP9, SP10, and EX-LE2) on their knee joints under continuous radiation for 15 min at the maximum intensity, three times per week for four weeks. The PLT group used laser apparatus of the same model according to similar procedures without laser light emission. Outcome Measurements including visual analog scale (VAS), pain pressure threshold (PPT), and Lequesne index were used.

RESULTS

A total of 30 subjects with two-sided knee OA in both groups completed the experiment. Statistically significant decreases were observed in the Lequesne index (5.27 ± 3.26 vs. 10.83 ± 3.83), conscious VAS 4 weeks after treatment (moving: 2.87 ± 1.13 vs. 5.67 ± 1.72; resting: 0.33 ± 0.62 vs. 2.67 ± 1.29), and the increase was noted in PPT (21.23 ± 1.82 kg vs. 13.02 ± 1.46 kg) in the ALT group compared with the PLT group.

CONCLUSION

It appears that the knee OA pain and disability can be decreased after a dual-frequency LLLT applied to acupoints (SP9, SP10, and EX-LE2). The clinical efficacy of LLLT is highly related to the therapeutic settings of the laser apparatus; hence, more clinical trials with diffident parameter settings are needed to be further clarified.

Psychosocial Determinants of Total Knee Arthroplasty Outcomes Two Years After Surgery

Objective

To evaluate the association of preoperative psychosocial and demographic factors with total knee arthroplasty (TKA) outcomes and satisfaction in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee at 24 months after surgery.

Methods

A prospective cohort study of patients undergoing TKA was conducted. Outcome measures included: Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and Short Form 36 (SF‐36) scores at baseline and 24 months after surgery, and patient satisfaction with TKA at 24 months. Linear regression models were performed to evaluate the association of preoperative psychosocial determinants (ie, Medical Outcome Study Social Support Scale; Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale; Brief COPE inventory, The Life Orientation Test‐Revised; Multidimensional Health Locus of Control; and Arthritis Self‐Efficacy Scale) on outcomes.

Results

We included 178 patients. Increasing WOMAC pain scores at 24 months were associated with increasing age and body mass index (BMI); low tangible social support and low optimism were associated with higher levels of pain (R² = 0.15). A decrease in WOMAC function scores was also associated with older age and higher BMI; low tangible support, increased stress, and low optimism were also associated with worse function (R² = 0.22). When evaluating quality of life, lower SF‐36 physical functioning scores at 24 months were associated with age, high BMI, and comorbidity (R² = 0.34). Lower SF‐36 mental functioning scores were associated with depression and low optimism (R² = 0.38). Having a dysfunctional style of coping was associated with lower satisfaction with surgery after 24 months (adjusted R² = 0.12).

Conclusion

Psychosocial factors, such as tangible support, depression, dysfunctional coping, and optimism, were associated with pain, function, and satisfaction 2 years after TKA. Perioperative programs identifying and addressing psychosocial problems may result in improvements in pain and function after TKA.

TIDieR-Placebo: A guide and checklist for reporting placebo and sham controls

BACKGROUND

Placebo or sham controls are the standard against which the benefits and harms of many active interventions are measured. Whilst the components and the method of their delivery have been shown to affect study outcomes, placebo and sham controls are rarely reported and often not matched to those of the active comparator. This can influence how beneficial or harmful the active intervention appears to be. Without adequate descriptions of placebo or sham controls, it is difficult to interpret results about the benefits and harms of active interventions within placebo-controlled trials. To overcome this problem, we developed a checklist and guide for reporting placebo or sham interventions.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

We developed an initial list of items for the checklist by surveying experts in placebo research (n = 14). Because of the diverse contexts in which placebo or sham treatments are used in clinical research, we consulted experts in trials of drugs, surgery, physiotherapy, acupuncture, and psychological interventions. We then used a multistage online Delphi process with 53 participants to determine which items were deemed to be essential. We next convened a group of experts and stakeholders (n = 16). Our main output was a modification of the existing Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) checklist; this allows the key features of both active interventions and placebo or sham controls to be concisely summarised by researchers. The main differences between TIDieR-Placebo and the original TIDieR are the explicit requirement to describe the setting (i.e., features of the physical environment that go beyond geographic location), the need to report whether blinding was successful (when this was measured), and the need to present the description of placebo components alongside those of the active comparator.

CONCLUSIONS

We encourage TIDieR-Placebo to be used alongside TIDieR to assist the reporting of placebo or sham components and the trials in which they are used.

Estimating contextual effect in nonpharmacological therapies for pain in knee osteoarthritis: a systematic analytic review

OBJECTIVE

Conduct a systematic review and use meta-analytic techniques to estimate the proportion of total treatment effect that can be attributable to contextual effects (PCE) in adults receiving nonpharmacological, nonsurgical (NPNS) treatments for knee osteoarthritis (OA).

DESIGN

We reviewed the published literature to identify five frequently studied NPNS treatments for knee OA: exercise, acupuncture, ultrasound, laser, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). We searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of these treatments and abstracted pre- and post-intervention pain scores for groups receiving placebo and active treatments. For each study we calculated the PCE by dividing the change in pain in the placebo group by the change in pain in the active treatment group. We log transformed the PCE measure and pooled across studies using a random effects model.

RESULTS

We identified 25 studies for analysis and clustered the RCTs into two groups: acupuncture and topical energy modalities (TEM). 13 acupuncture studies included 1,653 subjects and 12 TEM studies included 572 subjects. The combined PCE was 0.61 (95% CI 0.46-0.80) for acupuncture and 0.69 (95% CI 0.54-0.88) for TEM.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that about 61% and 69% of the total treatment effect experienced by subjects receiving acupuncture and TEM treatments, respectively, for knee OA pain may be explained by contextual effects. Contextual effects may include the placebo effect, changes attributable to natural history, and effects of co-therapies. These data highlight the important role of contextual effects in the response to NPNS OA treatments.

Imagined and Actual Acupuncture Effects on Chronic Low Back Pain: A Preliminary Study

Background

Research suggests that imagined experiences can produce brain responses similar to those produced by actual experiences. Shared brain responses that support both imagination and perception may underlie the functional nature of mental imagery. In a previous study, we combined acupuncture and imagery to develop a new treatment method, video-guided acupuncture imagery treatment (VGAIT). We found that VGAIT significantly increased pain thresholds in healthy subjects. The aim of this study is to extend our previous finding by investigating whether VGAIT can relieve symptoms in patients with chronic low back pain.

Methods

We first performed a single-arm study in which we administered video-guided acupuncture imagery treatment (VGAIT) on patients with chronic low back pain (cLBP) (Study 1, n = 18, 12 females). We then compared our findings to those from a recently published study in which real or sham acupuncture treatment was applied on patients with cLBP (Study 2, n = 50, 31 females) using a similar protocol. All patients in Studies 1 and 2 received 6 treatments over 4 weeks.

Results

All three treatments (VGAIT, real, and sham acupuncture) significantly reduced pain severity as measured by a low back pain bothersomeness score. VGAIT produced similar effects to real acupuncture (p = 0.97) and nonsignificantly greater pain bothersomeness relief compared to sham acupuncture (p = 0.14). Additional analysis showed that there was no significant difference on the sensations evoked by different treatment modalities.

Conclusion

These findings support VGAIT as a promising method for pain management.

Placebos in chronic pain: evidence, theory, ethics, and use in clinical practice

Despite their ubiquitous presence, placebos and placebo effects retain an ambiguous and unsettling presence in biomedicine. Specifically focused on chronic pain, this review examines the effect of placebo treatment under three distinct frameworks: double blind, deception, and open label honestly prescribed. These specific conditions do not necessarily differentially modify placebo outcomes. Psychological, clinical, and neurological theories of placebo effects are scrutinized. In chronic pain, conscious expectation does not reliably predict placebo effects. A supportive patient-physician relationship may enhance placebo effects. This review highlights "predictive coding" and "bayesian brain" as emerging models derived from computational neurobiology that offer a unified framework to explain the heterogeneous evidence on placebos. These models invert the dogma of the brain as a stimulus driven organ to one in which perception relies heavily on learnt, top down, cortical predictions to infer the source of incoming sensory data. In predictive coding/bayesian brain, both chronic pain (significantly modulated by central sensitization) and its alleviation with placebo treatment are explicated as centrally encoded, mostly non-conscious, bayesian biases. The review then evaluates seven ways in which placebos are used in clinical practice and research and their bioethical implications. In this way, it shows that placebo effects are evidence based, clinically relevant, and potentially ethical tools for relieving chronic pain.

Acupuncture Treatment Modulates the Connectivity of Key Regions of the Descending Pain Modulation and Reward Systems in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain

Chronic low back pain (cLBP) is a common disorder with unsatisfactory treatment options. Acupuncture has emerged as a promising method for treating cLBP. However, the mechanism underlying acupuncture remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the modulation effects of acupuncture on resting state functional connectivity (rsFC) of the periaqueductal gray (PAG) and ventral tegmental area (VTA) in patients with cLBP. Seventy-nine cLBP patients were recruited and assigned to four weeks of real or sham acupuncture. Resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging data were collected before the first and after the last treatment. Fifty patients completed the study. We found remission of pain bothersomeness in all treatment groups after four weeks, with greater pain relief after real acupuncture compared to sham acupuncture. We also found that real acupuncture can increase VTA/PAG rsFC with the amygdala, and the increased rsFC was associated with decreased pain bothersomeness scores. Baseline PAG-amygdala rsFC could predict four-week treatment response. Our results suggest that acupuncture may simultaneously modulate the rsFC of key regions in the descending pain modulation (PAG) and reward systems (VTA), and the amygdala may be a key node linking the two systems to produce antinociceptive effects. Our findings highlight the potential of acupuncture for chronic low back pain management.

The professional interpreter's effect on empathic communication in medical consultations: A qualitative analysis of interaction

OBJECTIVE

To investigate how empathic communication is expressed in interpreter-mediated consultations (IMCs) and the interpreter's effect on it.

METHODS

We coded 20 authentic video-recorded IMCs by using the Empathic Communication Coding System (ECCS). We compared patient-initiated empathic opportunities (EOs) and doctors' responses as expressed by patients and doctors and as rendered by interpreters.

RESULTS

We identified 44 EOs. In 2 of the 44 EOs there was a close match in the way the EOs were expressed by the patient in the first place and in the way they were rendered by the interpreter. Twenty-four of the 44 EOs that were passed on by the interpreter to the doctor and presented the doctor with an opportunity to respond, came with a shift in meaning and/or intensity. Twenty of the 44 EOs were not passed on by the interpreter to the doctor.

CONCLUSION

In IMCs, EOs are subject to the interpreter's renditions and the doctor's actions during interaction.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Doctors and interpreters require skills to detect patient cues, assess them correctly, render them completely and in an appropriate manner (interpreters) and display communicative behaviours that take into account the intricacies of interpreter-mediated clinical communication and facilitate each other's communicative goals.

Two Evidence-Based Acupuncture Models

Modern clinical trials have produced controversial data interpretation which refutes conventional standard teachings and practices. Acupuncture scholars and practitioners have been stimulated to scrutinize these trials and analyze conventional practices. This paper presents two acupuncture models which address these issues. One rationalizes the clinical trial results with newer understanding of acupuncture points and techniques, while the other reconciles these results with rediscovered techniques of palpating points and performing needling. These two models indicate that acupuncture is in transition from classical model to evidence-based models.

Patient-Clinician Communication About Pain: A Conceptual Model and Narrative Review

Objective

Productive patient-clinician communication is an important component of effective pain management, but we know little about how patients and clinicians actually talk about pain in clinical settings and how it might be improved to produce better patient outcomes. The objective of this review was to create a conceptual model of patient-clinician communication about noncancer pain, review and synthesize empirical research in this area, and identify priorities for future research.

Methods

A conceptual model was developed that drew on existing pain and health communication research. CINAHL, EMBASE, and PubMed were searched to find studies reporting empirical data on patient-clinician communication about noncancer pain; results were supplemented with manual searches. Studies were categorized and analyzed to identify crosscutting themes and inform model development.

Results

The conceptual model comprised the following components: contextual factors, clinical interaction, attitudes and beliefs, and outcomes. Thirty-nine studies met inclusion criteria and were analyzed based on model components. Studies varied widely in quality, methodology, and sample size. Two provisional conclusions were identified: contrary to what is often reported in the literature, discussions about analgesics are most frequently characterized by patient-clinician agreement, and self-presentation during patient-clinician interactions plays an important role in communication about pain and opioids.

Conclusions

Published studies on patient-clinician communication about noncancer pain are few and diverse. The conceptual model presented here can help to identify knowledge gaps and guide future research on communication about pain. Investigating the links between communication and pain-related outcomes is an important priority for future research.

The Use of Expectancy and Empathy When Communicating With Patients With Advanced Breast Cancer; an Observational Study of Clinician-Patient Consultations

Background: Information provision about prognosis, treatments, and side-effects is important in advanced cancer, yet also associated with impaired patient well-being. To counter potential detrimental effects, communication strategies based on placebo and nocebo effect mechanisms might be promising to apply in daily practice. This study aimed to provide more insight into how often and how oncologists use expectancy and empathy expressions in consultations with patients with advanced breast cancer. Methods: Forty-five consultations between oncologists and patients were audiotaped. To determine how often expectancy and empathy expressions were used, a coding scheme was created. Most consultations (n = 33) were coded and discussed by two coders, and the remaining 13 were coded by one coder. To determine how expectancy and empathy expressions were used, principles of inductive content analysis were followed. Results: Discussed evaluation (i.e., scan) results were good (n = 26,58%) or uncertain (n = 12,27%) and less often bad (n = 7,15%). Uncertain expectations about prognosis, treatment outcomes, and side effects occurred in 13, 38, and 27 consultations (29%, 85%, and 56%), followed by negative expectations in 8, 26, and 28 consultations (18%, 58%, and 62%) and positive expectations in 6, 34, and 17 consultations (13%, 76%, and 38%). When oncologists provided expectancy expressions, they tapped into three different dimensions: relational, personal, and explicit. Positive expectations emphasized the doctor-patient relationship, while negative expectations focused on the severity of the illness, and uncertainty was characterized by a balance between (potential) negative outcomes and hope. Observed generic or specific empathy expressions were regularly provided, most frequently understanding (n = 29,64% of consultations), respecting (n = 17,38%), supporting (n = 16,36%), and exploring (n = 16,36%). A lack of empathy occurred less often and contained, among others, not responding to patients' emotional concerns (n = 13,27% of consultations), interrupting (n = 7,16%), and an absence of understanding (n = 4,9%). Conclusion: In consultations with mainly positive or uncertain medical outcomes, oncologists predominantly made use of uncertain expectations (hope for the best, prepare for the worst) and used several empathic behaviors. Replication studies, e.g., in these and other medical situations, are needed. Follow-up studies should test the effect of specific communication strategies on patient outcomes, to counter potential negative effects of information provision. Studies should focus on uncertain situations. Ultimately, specific placebo and nocebo effect-inspired communication strategies can be harnessed in clinical care to improve patient outcomes.

Can a Brief Relaxation Exercise Modulate Placebo or Nocebo Effects in a Visceral Pain Model?

Translational research aiming to elucidate mediators and moderators of placebo and nocebo effects is highly relevant. This experimental study tested effects of a brief progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) exercise, designed to alter psychobiological stress parameters, on the magnitude of placebo and nocebo effects in a standardized psychosocial treatment context. In 120 healthy volunteers (60 men, 60 women), pain expectation, pain intensity, and pain unpleasantness in response to individually-calibrated rectal distensions were measured with visual analog scales during a baseline. Participants were then randomized to exercise PMR (relaxation group: N = 60) or a simple task (control group: N = 60), prior to receiving positive (placebo), negative (nocebo) or neutral suggestions regarding an intravenous administration that was in reality saline in all groups. Identical distensions were repeated (test). State anxiety, salivary cortisol, heart rate, and blood pressure were assessed repeatedly. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance, planned Bonferroni-corrected group comparisons, as well as exploratory correlational and mediation analyses. Treatment suggestions induced group-specific changes in pain expectation, with significantly reduced expectation in placebo and increased expectation in nocebo groups. PMR had no discernable effect on pain expectation, state anxiety or cortisol, but led to significantly lower heart rate and systolic blood pressure. Relaxation significantly interacted with positive treatment suggestions, which only induced placebo analgesia in relaxed participants. No effects of negative suggestions were found in planned group comparisons, irrespective of relaxation. Exploratory correlation and mediation analyses revealed that pain expectation was a mediator to explain the association between treatment suggestions and pain-related outcomes. Clearly, visceral pain modulation is complex and involves many cognitive, emotional, and possibly neurobiological factors that remain to be fully understood. Our findings suggest that a brief relaxation exercise may facilitate the induction of placebo analgesia by positive when compared to neutral treatment suggestions. They underscore the contribution of relaxation and stress as psychobiological states within the psychosocial treatment context-factors which clearly deserve more attention in translational studies aiming to maximize positive expectancy effects in clinical settings.

The Influence of Treatment Expectations on Clinical Outcomes and Cortisol Levels in Patients With Chronic Neck Pain: An Experimental Study

BACKGROUND

The role of contextual factors like pre-existing treatment expectations has been established. However, the effect of verbally delivered treatment expectations in patient-therapist communication has not been considered, nor has the role of cortisol changes within the placebo/nocebo response in people with chronic neck pain.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the effect of verbally delivered treatment expectations on clinical outcomes in physical therapy practice and to determine if changes in cortisol levels are associated with changes in neck pain and disability.

METHODS

Eighty-three patients with chronic neck pain were randomly allocated to 3 different verbally delivered expectations (positive, negative, neutral) during physical therapy interventions.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

salivary cortisol, pain and disability, and cervical range of motion.

RESULTS

Pain significantly improved in the positive (P < 0.001) and neutral (P < 0.001) expectations groups. For salivary cortisol levels, a significant increase was observed in response to treatment in the neutral (P = 0.045) and negative (P < 0.001) expectations groups. No significant correlations were found between changes in salivary cortisol levels and the change in pain in the neutral and negative expectations groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Physical therapists treating people with chronic neck pain should be attentive when communicating the expected treatment effects to their patients. Whereas verbally delivered positive or neutral expectations may be beneficial for pain-related measures, giving negative expectations may result in a lack of a treatment response on pain. Cortisol levels increased in response to verbally delivered neutral and negative expectations, in the absence of a nocebo effect. This questions the presumed role of cortisol in the nocebo effect.

Controlling Practitioner–patient Relationships in Acupuncture Trials: A Systematic Review and Meta-Regression

Background

In trials, ‘therapist intensive’ complex interventions are typically delivered over time, during which a relationship between the practitioner and participant may develop. Such relationships are sometimes criticised as obscuring any ‘true’ treatment effect. Limiting interactions is one strategy that might be used to try to control for the effect of a therapeutic relationship.

Objectives

We conducted systematic review into the rationale, methods and effects of constraining relationships in controlled trials and cohort studies of acupuncture, including studies published before 2008 with an update citation search in 2010.

Methods

We searched six databases without keyword restrictions. Meta-analysis and meta-regression were used to explore the effect of relationship constraint on pain outcomes.

Results

Eighty-one of 785 (10.3%) trials reported constraining relationships. Most did not state the reason for constraint, describe the nature of the limitation, provide information on how the constrained relationship was monitored or note protocol adherence. Where a reason was reported, this was primarily to maintain participant blinding, rarely was it stated that the constraint was to control the therapeutic relationship. We found no evidence of an effect of constraint on pain outcomes (percentage heterogeneity explained, p=0.89). These results were robust to variation in trial quality and design.

Conclusions

Acupuncture trials appear to be constrained mostly to try to prevent participant unblinding to their allocated treatment, not to control the therapeutic relationship. The apparent lack of monitoring and negligible effects on pain outcomes of the included trials indicate the need for more high-quality randomised controlled trials investigating the effect of constraint.

Use of acupuncture in the management of pain

Nurses practising in almost any area of healthcare may encounter individuals who are considering acupuncture, particularly those caring for people who are experiencing chronic pain. Acupuncture is a complex intervention and in traditional practice is not simply the insertion of needles, as some people believe. This article provides a historical understanding of acupuncture, outlining some of the differences between styles of practice that may be relevant when selecting an acupuncturist. It also examines the issues that should be considered when assessing the evidence base for acupuncture.

Laser Speckle Imaging of Sensitized Acupoints

Acupoints microcirculatory dynamics vary depending on the body's health status. However, the functional changes observed during acupoint sensitization, that is, the disease-induced change from a "silenced" to an "activated" status, remain elusive. In this study, the microcirculatory changes at acupoints during sensitization were characterized. Thirty SD rats were randomly divided into five groups: normal control group (N), sham osteoarthritis group (S), light osteoarthritis group (A), mild osteoarthritis group (B), and heavy osteoarthritis group (C). The obtained results showed that the blood perfusion levels at the acupoints Yanglingquan (GB34), Zusanli (ST36), and Heding (EX-LE2) in groups A, B, and C were higher than those in groups N and S on days 14, 21, and 28 (p < 0.01 or p < 0.05). A significant difference in the blood perfusion was also observed at the acupoint Weizhong (BL40) in groups B and C on days 21 and 28 (p < 0.01). In addition, remarkable differences in the level of blood perfusion at the GB34, ST36, and EX-LE2 acupoints were observed on day 28 (p < 0.01 or p < 0.05) among groups A, B, and C. No marked differences in blood perfusion levels were observed at the nonacupoint site among all groups. In conclusion, acupoint sensitization is associated with an increase in the level of local blood perfusion at specific acupoints, and this increase is positively correlated with the severity of the disease. The functional changes in microcirculation at acupoints during sensitization reflect the different physiological and pathological conditions imposed by the disease.