Outcomes research in non-specific low back pain : Knowledge transfer in clinical practice

The Importance of Early Detection of Spinal Tumors Through Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Chiropractic Practices

Primary spinal tumors such as schwannomas are uncommon causes of back pain that can be easily missed during the initial workup. Delayed diagnosis is associated with further neurological impairment. A 46-year-old man presented with a six-month history of progressive lower back pain and left leg radiculopathy. Previous treatments failed, including medications, physical therapy, acupuncture, and chiropractic manipulations. Examination revealed weakness (4/5) in left knee extension and ankle dorsiflexion. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a 2-cm intraspinal schwannoma at the L4 level with nerve root compression. The patient underwent laminectomy and gross total resection without any complications. The patient had near-complete symptomatic resolution six weeks postoperatively and returned to normal functioning. After four months of postoperative rehabilitation, the patient remained asymptomatic. This case reinforces the urgent need for early MRI in the presence of neurological deficits and other symptoms, despite normal radiographs. An increased suspicion of spinal tumors can prevent delays in diagnosis and minimize adverse outcomes. Multidisciplinary care optimizes the treatment of complex cases.

Global perceived improvement and health-related quality of life after physical therapy in Lebanese patients with chronic non-specific low back pain

BACKGROUND

The effectiveness of physical therapy (PT) in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain (CNSLBP) is mainly evaluated through pain, disability, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). However, recent studies have recommended the consideration of improvement from patients' perspectives.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the global perception of improvement in Lebanese patients with CNSLBP who have undergone PT, the HRQOL levels, as well as pain intensity.

METHODS

132 patients with CNSLBP who have undergone PT completed a questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic and CNSLBP characteristics questions, pain intensity numeric scale (NRS), 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12), and the Global Perceived Effect scale (GPE). Binary logistic regressions and Pearson correlation coefficient were used for analyses.

RESULTS

Global perceived improvement of PT varies according to HRQOL levels. A significant correlation was found between pain intensity after PT, perceived improvement from PT, and HRQOL. Educational level and pain irradiation have been shown to be predictive factors of perceived improvement after PT.

CONCLUSION

Pain and HRQOL are interrelated and contributed to elucidating the global perception of improvement after PT in patients with CNSLBP. The findings suggest that patients' global perception of improvement should be considered in evaluating the benefits of physical therapy in addition to pain and HRQOL.

Effectiveness of polarized polychromatic light therapy on myofascial trigger points in chronic non-specific low back pain: a single blinded randomized controlled trial

Background

Phototherapy has been used for the treatment of chronic low back pain. However, the effect of linear polarized polychromatic light (PL) has not been examined on myofascial trigger points in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain (NSLBP).

Objectives

To investigate the effectiveness of PL on pain intensity, pain sensitivity of active myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) in gluteus medius (GM) and quadratus lamborum (QL) muscles, back disability, and lumbar range of motion in chronic NSLBP.

Methods

Forty-two participants of both genders with chronic NSLBP were randomly allocated into two equal groups: group A (Linear polarized polychromatic light (PL): 21 participants received polarized light therapy in the range of red and near-infrared rays on myofascial trigger points of bilateral GM and QL muscles for 5 min/point followed by stretching and strengthening exercises for 4 weeks. Group B (Sham PL): 21 participants received the same program but with sham linear polarized polychromatic light therapy. Numeric pain rating scale, pressure algometer, and Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire were used to measure pain intensity, pain sensitivity (as represented by pain pressure threshold (PPT) of MTrPs of the target muscles and back disability respectively. Further, lumbar flexion, extension, and bilateral rotation were examined with a tape measure, while bilateral side bending were examined with a universal goniometer.

Results

After the intervention program, significant improvements (p < 0.05) in pain intensity, PPT of MTrPs of left GM (Effect Size (ES): 1.23) and bilateral QL muscles (ES Rt QL: 0.9; Lt QL: 1.56) were found in group A in comparison with group B. Nevertheless, the two groups displayed similar improvements (p > 0.05) in lumbar range of motion and back disability.

Conclusion

Linear polarized polychromatic light therapy in the range of red and near-infrared rays improves pain intensity and pain sensitivity of myofascial trigger points in chronic NSLBP.

Trial registration

PACTR, PACTR202111577053926. Registered 22 June 2019-Prospectively registered.

Associations between Patient-Reported and Clinician-Reported Outcome Measures in Patients after Traumatic Injuries of the Lower Limb

Both clinician-reported outcome measures (CROMs) measures and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are applied to evaluate outcomes in rehabilitation settings. The previous data show only a low to moderate correlation between these measures. Relationships between functional performance measures (Clinician-Reported Outcome Measures, CROMs) and Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) were analysed in rehabilitation patients with traumatic injuries of the lower limb. A cohort of 315 patients with 3 subgroups (127 hip, 101 knee and 87 ankle region) was analysed before and after 3 weeks of inpatient rehabilitation. All three groups showed significant improvements in PROMs with low to moderate effect sizes. Moderate to high effect sizes were found for CROMs. Correlation coefficients between CROMs and PROMs were low to moderate. The performance consistency between PROMs and CROMs ranged from 56.7% to 64.1%. In this cohort of rehabilitation patients with traumatic injuries, CROMs showed higher effect sizes than PROMs. When used in combination, patient-reported outcome and performance measures contribute to collecting complementary information, enabling the practitioner to make a more accurate clinical evaluation of the patient’s condition.

Primary care providers' experiences treating low back pain

CONTEXT

Our original work addresses the biological sex impact on low back pain (LBP) management and prognosis in primary care settings. To our knowledge, our study is the first in the United States to evaluate the differences in clinicians' approaches to LBP in the ambulatory setting specifically based on patient gender. Our findings suggest that there is a knowledge gap among primary care providers (PCPs) toward the potential impact of biological sex on LBP and a bias toward gender roles when counseling patients for home chores or occupational tasks. Further evaluation of this knowledge gap and its impact on LBP management and prognosis is recommended in US healthcare settings.

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to explore PCP experiences and practice patterns regarding LBP in females compared to males in US healthcare settings.

METHODS

We utilized a cross-sectional study design and convenience sampling. Data were collected anonymously utilizing a 27-item online survey sent periodically via email to PCPs working in Ohio. We had 58 responses for analysis; data were analyzed utilizing bivariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

On average, approximately 9 out of 10 responding clinicians reported experiencing LBP. PCPs were not in agreement that LBP is different in women than men. Clinicians with a women's health, osteopathic, or sport's medicine background were more likely to agree that LBP is different in women than in men. PCPs were more likely to counsel female patients about pelvic floor exercises; however, their intake of present pelvic symptoms in LBP female patients is suboptimal. PCPs were more likely to counsel females for home chores than males, which is aligned with the perceived traditional gender roles among PCPs.

CONCLUSIONS

There may be a knowledge gap among PCPs toward the potential impact of biological sex on LBP and a bias toward gender roles when counseling patients for home chores or occupational tasks. Further investigation of this knowledge gap and counseling approaches is recommended to better bridge the gender disparity.

Comparison of patient- and clinician-reported outcome measures in lower back rehabilitation: introducing a new integrated performance measure (t2D)

Purpose

Patient- and clinician-reported outcome measures (PROMs, CROMs) are used in rehabilitation to evaluate and track the patient’s health status and recovery. However, controversy still exists regarding their relevance and validity when assessing a change in health status.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the changes in a CROM (Fingertip-To-Floor Test – FTF) and PROMs (ODI, HAQ-DI, NPRS, EQ5D) and the associations between these outcomes in 395 patients with lower back pain (57.2 ± 11.8 years, 49.1% female). We introduced a new way to measure and classify outcome performance using a distribution-based approach (t2D). Outcome measures were assessed at baseline and after 21 days of inpatient rehabilitation.

Results

Overall, the rehabilitation (Cohens d = 0.94) resulted in a large effect size outcome. Medium effect sizes were observed for FTF (d = 0.70) and PROMs (d > 0.50). Best performance rating was observed for pain (NPRS). We found that 13.9% of patients exhibited a deterioration in the PROMs, but only 2.3%, in the FTF. The correlation between the PROMs and FTF were low to moderate, with the highest identified for HAQ-DI (rho = 0.30–0.36); no significant correlations could be shown for changes. High consistency levels were observed among the performance scores (t2D) in 68.9% of the patients.

Conclusions

Different and complementary assessment modalities of PROMs and CROMs can be used as valuable tools in the clinical setting. Results from both types of measurements and individual performance assessments in patients provide a valid basis for the meaningful interpretation of the patients’ health outcomes.

Trial registration. This clinical study was entered retrospectively on August 14, 2020 into the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS, registration number: DRKS00022854).

Prescription of individual therapeutic exercises via smartphone app for patients suffering from non-specific back pain : A qualitative feasibility and quantitative pilot study

Background

The purpose of this qualitative study was the assessment of the feasibility and acceptance of orthopedists prescribing individualized therapeutic exercises via a smartphone app to patients suffering from non-specific back pain.

Methods

A total of 27 patients (mean age 44.8 ± 13.2 years) diagnosed with acute non-specific back pain were prescribed individually chosen therapy exercises via a smartphone app. Before the patients started and after 4 weeks of exercising all participants went through an assessment protocol consisting of questionnaires (Oswestry Disability Index [ODI], Short Form-36 [SF-36], International Physical Activity Questionnaire [IPAQ], Work Ability Index [WAI], Visual Analogue Scale [VAS] back pain, sociodemographic parameters), assessment of functional parameters (handgrip strength, timed up and go test). With 16 randomly chosen patients semi-structured interviews were undertaken at the end of the intervention period. Interview transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. Power analysis and a priori sample size calculations were undertaken with the quantitative data.

Results

From the interviews four thematic categories emerged: prior exercise experience, evaluation of exercise intensity, communication with physician via smartphone app, and variability of exercise location. Quantitative analysis of secondary data showed significant improvements in back pain (ODI) as well as quality of life domains “physical functioning”, “bodily pain” and “vitality” (SF-36) of which “bodily pain” was sufficiently powered with the current sample size.

Conclusion

The prescription of therapeutic exercises via smartphone app to patients suffering from non-specific back pain is feasible and well-accepted in patients at all ages. Pilot data additionally pointed towards efficacy of the intervention.