Short-term effects of exergaming on patients with chronic low back pain: A single-blind randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Exergaming is increasingly popular, but its impact on chronic low back pain (CLBP) remain unclear.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effectiveness of exergaming versus traditional exercise for managing CLBP using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework.

METHODS

This single-blind, randomized controlled trial included 70 participants with CLBP, who were assigned to either the exergaming or traditional exercise group. Both groups received 2 weeks of treatment with six sessions. Assessments included the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), range of motion, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), balance (Biodex Stability System), Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ), and physical performance tests.

RESULTS

After six sessions over 2 weeks, the exergaming group showed significant improvements over the exercise group in ODI (p < 0.001), chair-rising time (p = 0.001), stair ascent (p = 0.025) and descent times (p < 0.001), flexion (p = 0.005), extension (p = 0.001), balance (p = 0.012), and FABQ subscales (physical activity: p = 0.003; work: p < 0.001) at the 3-month follow-up. Group × time interaction effects favored exergaming for ODI (p = 0.012), chair-rising (p = 0.045), stair ascent (p = 0.010), and descent (p = 0.002) times. While these changes did not meet clinical significance, exergaming was not inferior to traditional exercise in improving spinal motion, physical performance, fear-avoidance beliefs, and disability.

CONCLUSION

Exergaming appears to be a viable supplementary therapy for patients with CLBP, offering benefits across all ICF domains. Future studies with longer intervention durations are needed to assess its long-term effects.

Relationship between Fear-Avoidance Beliefs and Muscle Co-Contraction in People with Knee Osteoarthritis

Excessive muscle co-contraction is one of the factors related to the progression of knee osteoarthritis (OA). A previous study demonstrated that pain, joint instability, lateral thrust, weight, and lower extremity alignment were listed as factors affecting excessive co-contraction in knee OA. However, this study aimed to assess the association between fear-avoidance beliefs and muscle co-contraction during gait and stair climbing in people with knee OA. Twenty-four participants with knee OA participated in this cross-sectional study. Co-contraction ratios (CCRs) were used to calculate muscle co-contraction during walking and stair climbing, using surface electromyography. Fear-avoidance beliefs were assessed by the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia-11 (TSK-11) for kinesiophobia and the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) for pain catastrophizing. Secondary parameters that may influence co-contraction, such as degree of pain, lateral thrust, weight, and lower extremity alignment, were measured. The relationships between the CCR during each movement, TSK-11, and PSC were evaluated using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient and partial correlation analysis, adjusted by weight and lower extremity alignment. Partial correlation analysis showed a significant correlation only between medial muscles CCR and TSK-11 during stair descent (r = 0.54, p < 0.05). Our study revealed that kinesiophobia could be associated with co-contraction during stair descent in people with knee OA.

Impact of end-stage knee osteoarthritis on perceived physical function and quality of life: A descriptive study from Jordan

OBJECTIVE

Of the present study was to evaluate the impact of end-stage knee OA on patient's perception of their functional abilities and quality of life (QoL) using the self-reported questionnaire; the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and to determine the contribution of knee pain on patient's perceived outcomes.

METHODS

Patients with end-stage knee OA who are on the waiting list for total knee arthroplasty were recruited in this cross-sectional study. Patients were asked to fill out the KOOS questionnaire. Knee pain for both sides was quantified on a continuous scale from 0-10. Age, and anthropometric data were recorded. Descriptive statistics were calculated for patients' characteristics, and for the scores of each KOOS subscale. Hierarchical linear regression models were created to determine the contributions of knee pain on two KOOS subscales; the function in daily living (KOOS-ADL), and the knee-related quality of life (KOOS-QoL).

RESULTS

Patients in this study scored low across KOOS subscales (27.7% - 54.2%) with the QoL subscale being the lowest. After accounting for age and BMI, hierarchical linear regressions revealed that knee pain in both sides were determinants of self-perceived KOOS-ADLs, while only knee pain in the most-affected side significantly contributed to lower KOOS-QOL scores.

CONCLUSION

End-stage knee OA negatively impact the patients' perceived function and quality of life. Patients' KOOS scores were similar to those reported in other countries, with QoL being the domain most affected. Our findings demonstrate that the level of knee pain has a determinant effect on our patients' perceptions of functional abilities and QoL. As waiting-list patients, addressing knee pain with a targeted regimen prior to TKA, as well as increasing patient's awareness about knee pain management, may improve/ or minimize deterioration in perceived functional ability and QoL while awaiting TKA.

The Effect of Lateral Wedge Insole on Gait Variability Assessed Using Wearable Sensors in Patients with Medial Compartment Knee Osteoarthritis

Background

Lateral thrust seen in people with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis can cause dynamic knee instability and poor postural control during gait cycles. A lateral wedge insole can reduce the lateral thrust and may have a favorable effect on gait variability, which in turn may indicate gait instability improves. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of lateral wedge insole on gait variability in knee osteoarthritis patients.

Method

We involved 15 symptomatic knee osteoarthritis patients who were provided with lateral wedge insole and 13 healthy asymptomatic volunteers as the control group. The gait variability was evaluated as the coefficient of variation of stride, stance, and swing duration based on acceleration monitoring using a wearable sensor. The lateral thrust was estimated as the lateral acceleration peak on the shank sensor. These measurements were performed without lateral wedge insole (baseline), immediately with lateral wedge insole (T0) at the initial office visit and one month after intervention (T1).

Result

Our data showed that the stance duration coefficient of variation and lateral thrust at T1 in the knee osteoarthritis group, were significantly decreased compared to the baseline values and these values were identical to those in the control group.

Conclusion

The lateral wedge insole reduces dynamic knee instability and could improve gait variability in medial compartment knee osteoarthritis.

Longitudinal Trajectories of Depressive Symptoms Among Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis: The Role of Pain Intensity

BACKGROUND

Pain is the primary symptom of knee osteoarthritis (KOA), significantly associated with depressive symptoms. Whether the early pain intensity could distinguish different trajectories of depressive symptoms is not well understood among patients with KOA.

AIMS

To identify heterogeneous depressive symptoms trajectories among patients with KOA, and investigate the association between depressive symptoms subgroups and pain intensity.

DESIGN

Secondary analysis of a cohort sample.

SETTING

Three waves of data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study was collected in 28 provinces across China.

PARTICIPANTS

702 patients with KOA aged ≥ 45 years completed the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale biennially from 2011 to 2015.

METHODS

Latent class growth analysis was performed to identify the optimal trajectory shape and number of classes. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was conducted to compare pain intensity across the trajectories.

RESULTS

Four distinct trajectories were identified as follows: no depressive symptoms, highly stable, decreasing, and increasing. In multivariate analysis, compared with the "no depressive symptoms" class, patients in the "highly stable" class and "increasing" class were more likely to report moderate pain (p < 0.05) and severe pain (p < 0.05). In addition, there was no significant difference in pain intensity between "no depressive symptoms" class and "decreasing" class (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest important heterogeneity in depressive symptom trajectories among patients with KOA. Pain intensity could predict different depressive symptom trajectories in patients with KOA. Efforts to improve the depressive symptoms in patients with KOA must incorporate strategies to address pain.

Effects of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound on knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

OBJECTIVE

To systemically review the effects of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) on pain relief and functional recovery in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA).

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) were used from inception to 18 March 2022.

REVIEW METHODS

Meta-analysis was performed to evaluate pain and function recovery between control and LIPUS groups. Standardized mean difference (SMD) or mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated, and data were combined using the fixed or random-effect model.

RESULTS

Thirteen studies involving 807 patients with KOA were included. Patients' outcomes treated by LIPUS were improved significantly, including Visual analog scale (VAS) score (MD = -0.95, 95% CI: -1.43 to -0.48，P < 0.001), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis index (WOMAC) score (MD = -4.35, 95% CI: -8.30 to -0.40, P = 0.0309), Lysholm score (SMD = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.29 to 1.90, P < 0.001), Lequesne index (MD = -1.33, 95% CI: -1.69 to -0.96, P < 0.001), Range of motion (ROM) (MD = 2.43, 95% CI: 0.39 to 4.46, P = 0.0197) and 50 meter walking time (SMD = 1.48, 95% CI: 0.46 to 2.49, P = 0.0044). Subgroup analyses showed monotherapy of LIPUS produced a better effect on reducing VAS score (P = 0.0213), and the shorter therapeutic period (≤4 weeks) produced a more significant effect on raising the WOMAC score (P = 0.0083).

CONCLUSION

LIPUS was beneficial for pain relief and functional knee recovery and maybe as an alternative therapy in KOA rehabilitation.

Factors associated with fatigue in hip and/or knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and best evidence synthesis

Objective

The aim was systematically to identify and evaluate factors related to fatigue in individuals with hip and/or knee OA.

Methods

A systematic literature search was conducted using AMED, CINAHL, MEDLINE, ProQuest and Web of Science Core Collections databases. Inclusion criteria comprised cross-sectional, case–control or longitudinal studies on patients with a diagnosis of hip and/or knee OA that included self-reported fatigue measures. Study quality was assessed using the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute quality appraisal tool, and factors were synthesized within a bio-behavioural framework. Study designs and quality were combined to determine current evidence levels using best evidence synthesis grading. The full review protocol is available from PROSPERO (PROSPERO 2019: CRD42019138571).

Results

Twenty-four studies were included, of which 19 were high, 4 moderate and 1 low quality. There was strong evidence of an association between poor self-reported physical function and high depressive symptoms with higher fatigue. Moderate evidence of an association was found between severe pain, high numbers of co-morbidities and low physical activity levels with higher fatigue. There was moderate or limited evidence of no association between most sociodemographic factors and radiographic OA severity with fatigue.

Conclusion

Targets for fatigue management might include improving physical function, reducing depressive symptoms, pain and co-morbidities, and increasing physical activity levels. There is a need for more rigorous longitudinal studies to understand the causal effect of fatigue determinants within the hip and knee OA populations.

Gait speed and functional performance in elderly women with knee osteoarthritis

Abstract Introduction: Knee osteoarthritis is a degenerative and inflammatory disease that causes skeletal muscle dysfunction and induces limitation of functional activities, such as gait. Objective: To assess the relationship between gait speed and functional performance in elderly women with knee osteoarthritis. Methods: 38 elderly women were divided into two groups: knee osteoarthritis group (KOAG) (n = 24, 68 ± 4.42) and control group (CG) (n = 14, 66.35 ± 3.54). Gait speed data was assessed through Qualisys system and functional performance through a checklist of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). Results: Comparing with CG (p < 0.05), KOAG patients had lower gait speed (p = 0.004) and worse functional performance in d4500 (walking short distances), d4501 (walking long distances), d4502 (walking on different surfaces), and d4503 (walking around obstacles) ICF categories. By associating gait speed and functional performance in KOAG, significant differences were found in the d4500 (p = 0.019) and d4501 (p = 0.035) categories, but none for either the d4502 (p = 0.511) or d4503 (p = 0.076) categories. Gait speed was negatively correlated with d4500 (rho = -0.585, p = 0.003), d4501 (rho= -0.552, p = 0.005), and d4502 (rho = -0,548, p = 0,006). Conclusion: Gait speed is related to functional performance in elderly women with knee osteoarthritis for the activities of walking short distances, walking long distances, and walking on different surfaces. However, it seems that gait speed is not related to walking around obstacles.

Lower education is an associated factor with the combination of pain catastrophizing and kinesiophobia in patients with knee osteoarthritis?

OBJECTIVES

To analyze if socioeconomic characteristics as lower education and lower family income are associated factors with the combination of pain catastrophizing and kinesiophobia in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA).

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 140 participants aged 40 years or older with KOA grades II and III. Based on the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) and the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK), four groups were identified: non-catastrophic/non-kinesiophobic (NC/NK), non-catastrophic/non-kinesiophobic (NC/K), catastrophic/non-kinesiophobic (C/NK), and catastrophic/kinesiophobic (C/K). Pain intensity was measured using the visual analog scale (VAS). The 30-s chair stand test was performed to access physical function. Sociodemographic characteristics included age, sex, years of formal education (0 to 11 and > 11), and family income (up to 2 minimum wages and > 2). Multinomial regression analysis adjusted for age, radiographic severity, physical function, and pain intensity was used to determine the association between lower education and lower family income with the combination of pain catastrophizing and kinesiophobia.

RESULTS

Only lower education was independently associated with the combination of pain catastrophizing and kinesiophobia (OR = 3.96 CI 95% 1.01-15.51).

CONCLUSIONS

Lower education but not lower family income was an important associated factor with the combination of pain catastrophizing and kinesiophobia in individuals with knee osteoarthritis. Thus, physician and physical therapist must pay attention on this important socioeconomic characteristic while conducting the treatment, since specific strategies of approach could be necessary for those patients. Key points • Lower education is an important associated factor with the combination of pain catastrophizing and kinesiophobia in individuals with knee osteoarthritis. • Physician and physical therapist must pay attention on patients schooling while conducting the treatment.

The efficacy and safety of extracorporeal shockwave therapy in knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) has been widely applied for pain control in musculoskeletal disorders. Whether ESWT can improve pain relief and joint function for knee osteoarthritis remains controversial. Therefore, we designed a meta-analysis based on relevant studies to comprehensively analyze and determine the efficacy and safety of ESWT for knee osteoarthritis.

METHODS

We identified relevant studies by an electronic search consisting of five English language databases: MEDLINE (1966 to July 2019), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (2019 Issue 2), EMBASE (1980 to July 2019), and PubMed (1946 to July 2019). The methodological quality of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was independently evaluated by two reviewers according to the criteria in the Cochrane Collaboration for Systematic Reviews. The quality of cohort and case-control studies was assessed by the Newcastlee-Ottawa scale (NOS). We performed statistical analysis by the Stata software, version 15.

RESULTS

Three RCTs and three cohort studies involving 589 patients were included. The present meta-analysis indicated that ESWT was associated a significant reduction of pain score at 4 weeks (WMD = -0.436; 95% CI = -0.604 to -0.269), 8 weeks (WMD = -0.234; 95% CI = -0.447 to -0.022) and 12 weeks (WMD = -0.239; 95% CI = -0.436 to -0.043). There were significant differences between the two groups in terms of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index at 4 weeks (WMD = -3.107; 95% CI = -5.073 to -1.142), 8 weeks (WMD = -3.617; 95% CI = -5.760 to -1.475) and 12 weeks (WMD = -2.271; 95% CI = -3.875 to -0.667).

CONCLUSION

The ESWT was efficacious and safe for reducing pain and improving knee function in patients with knee osteoarthritis, without increasing the risk of adverse effects.

Responsiveness and interpretability of the Animated Activity Questionnaire for assessing activity limitations of patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis

PURPOSE

The aim of the study was to determine the responsiveness and interpretability of the Animated Activity Questionnaire (AAQ), an online questionnaire in which osteoarthritis patients select animations that best match their performance of daily activities.

METHODS

A longitudinal study was carried out, in which 94 patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis were assessed at baseline, and 3 and 6 months after treatment (conservative and surgical). Responsiveness was assessed by means of testing hypotheses about expected correlations between change in AAQ, a Global Rating Scale of change (GRS) and change in the Activities of Daily Living subscale of the Hip disability or Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (H/KOOS), and a combination of performance-based tests (the 30 s chair-stand test, the timed up-and-go test and the nine-step stair climbing test). The minimal important change (MIC) was estimated by means of the receiving operating characteristics (ROC) method.

RESULTS

The correlations of the AAQ with the H/KOOS were as expected, but other correlations were lower than anticipated. The area under the ROC curve was 0.74 at 6 months. At 3 months' follow-up, the correlations were too low to calculate a MIC. A total of 20% of the results at 3 months and 80% of the results at 6 months were in accordance with the hypotheses. The MIC was 9 points at 6 months.

CONCLUSIONS

The AAQ was sufficiently responsive at the six-months follow-up, but not at the three-month follow-up. The MIC at the 6-month follow-up (9 points) was slightly lower than the smallest detectable change of 14 points found in a previous study.

Multidisciplinary integrated approach for older adults with symptomatic osteoarthritis: SIMFER and SI-GUIDA Joint Position Statement

Multidisciplinary approach to osteoarthritis (OA) in older patients, whose functional decline is multifactorial and who present with multiple symptoms, has been long advocated, but it is still seldom implemented in daily practice. Therefore, further indications for the management of OA are eagerly awaited and should consider the specific clinical features of this population, including the presence of frailty and comorbidities. This clinical approach should be based both on well-grounded evidence and practical experience of experts in OA management. This manuscript comments the multidisciplinary integrated approach for OA management in the older population, according to the opinion of a multidisciplinary Panel of Experts. This project was developed by a Steering Committee, which consisted of three experts that were identified by the Italian Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (Società Italiana di Medicina Fisica e Riabilitativa, SIMFER) and the Italian Society for Unified and Interdisciplinary Management of Musculoskeletal Pain and Algodystrophy (Società Italiana per la Gestione Unificata e Interdisciplinare del Dolore muscolo-scheletrico e dell'Algodistrofia, SI-GUIDA). The Steering Committee identified key evidence on the management of OA in the older through systematic research in MEDLINE and EMBASE, selected the most relevant paper among those identified, and defined some questions concerning current unmet needs in the management of symptomatic OA in the older accordingly. The Panel discussed the identified evidence and questions during two meetings. The discussion was used to generate seven statements with relevance to clinical practice. In conclusion, older adults with symptomatic OA present multiple concomitant issues, including other diseases, marked pain, poly-pharmacy, and often poor psychological and/or socioeconomical status. According to the above-described evidence, it is crucial that the approach to those patients is multidisciplinary and based on the use of dedicated tools. A combination of exercise, mechanical support and properly selected analgesic treatment will greatly help the management of the OA patient, improving at the same time his/her quality of life.

The Relationship Between Pain and Physical Function: Mediating Role of Sleep Quality, Depression, and Fatigue

The current study investigated whether osteoarthritis pain was associated with physical function and aimed to identify possible multistep indirect pathways of the association between pain and physical function through sleep quality, depression, and fatigue. Using the survey method, data were collected from 222 adults age ≥65 years diagnosed with osteoarthritis at a senior welfare center in Daejeon, Korea. Data were statistically analyzed using serial multiple mediation analysis. Study findings showed that the relationship between pain and limitation of physical function was partially mediated by sleep quality, depression, and fatigue. The experience of pain among older adults with osteoarthritis directly and most strongly led to limitations in physical functioning, and pain-induced sleep disorders, depression, and fatigue may sequentially negatively affect physical functioning. Thus, pain is a possible fundamental cause of poor, or deterioration in, physical functioning in older adults with osteoarthritis. Therefore, pain assessment and pain management should be prioritized when caring for older adults with osteoarthritis. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 45(7), 46-54.].

The effects of a home-based exercise intervention on elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis: a quasi-experimental study

Background

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is common in elderly people, causes pain, loss of physical functioning, and disability. This was a two-arm, superiority, quasi-experimental trial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a home-based exercise intervention (HBEI) to reduce KOA symptoms and improve the physical functioning of elderly patients.

Methods

A total of 171 elderly patients (60 years of age or older) with KOA were recruited from four community centers. Patients from two community centers were randomly assigned to the intervention group (IG) and the other two centers were randomly assigned to the control group (CG). Participants in the IG received a 12-week HBEI (including four 2-h sessions supervised by a physiotherapist and fortnightly telephone support) combined with health education, while patients in the CG only received health education. The participants and physiotherapists were aware of the group assignment and alternative treatment components, but the study’s hypotheses were not disclosed to the participants. Pain intensity, joint stiffness, lower-limb muscle strength, balance, mobility, and quality of life were measured before and after the intervention by the same blinded assessor.

Results

A total of 171 patients (IG: n = 84, CG: n = 87) were enrolled. Data were obtained from 141 patients with an average age of 68 (range, 60–86 years) who completed the 12-week study (IG: n = 71, CG: n = 70). No significant group differences were found in any outcome measures at baseline. At week 12, the pretest/posttest changes 3significant between-group differences in decreases in pain intensity (− 1.60 (CI, − 2.75 to − 0.58)) and stiffness (− 0.79 (CI, − 1.37 to − 0.21)), with the IG exhibiting significantly larger improvements on both measures than the CG. The IG also showed significantly greater improvements on all the secondary outcomes than the CG did.

Conclusions

HBEI may be effective for relieving KOA symptoms, increasing the physical functioning, and improving quality of life in community-dwelling KOA elderly patients. A large randomized controlled trial with long-term follow-up is needed to confirm these findings.

Trial registration

Chinese Clinical Trails Registry number ChiCTR1800017026 (retrospectively registered). Registered 9 July 2018.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12891-019-2521-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.