Cognitive-Behavioral-Based Physical Therapy for Improving Recovery After Traumatic Orthopaedic Lower Extremity Injury (CBPT-Trauma)

The Effects of a Stepped-Care Mental Health Program on Trauma Recidivism at a Level 1 Trauma Center

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to analyze the effects of a stepped-care mental health program (TRRP) on trauma recidivism at a single institution.

METHODS

DESIGNS

Retrospective review.

SETTING

Single level 1 trauma center.

PATIENT SELECTION CRITERIA

Trauma activation patients presenting at a single level 1 trauma center between 2017 and 2021 were selected. Data on demographics, mechanism of injury, readmissions, and TRRP participation were recorded.

OUTCOME MEASURES AND COMPARISONS

Main outcomes included recidivism rates, risk factors for representation, and determining whether a change in readmission risk existed after participation in TRRP.

RESULTS

Intotal, 4484 patients were included, with a mean age of 44.8 years. 65.9% were men and 34.1% were women. Overall, 14.2% (637/4484) patients presenting to the same institution have experienced an unrelated traumatic incident after their index injury. Overall, 75.6% patients identified by TRRP participated in at least 1 TRRP service. Patients who did not participate in TRRP were statistically significantly more likely to be recidivists (15.6%) than those who did (10.9%, P < 0.001). Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis demonstrated statistically significant associations between increased trauma recidivism and being unmarried, Black/African American race, no use of seatbelts, alcohol intoxication at index injury, history of depression, alcohol use disorder, smoking, and government insurance ( P ≤ 0.024). The multivariable regression model predicted a decrease in trauma recidivism by 33% in privately insured patients ( P = 0.002), by 33% after participation in TRRP ( P < 0.001), and by 18% after participation in each additional step of the TRRP program ( P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Results demonstrate reduced rates of trauma recidivism with involvement of the Trauma Resilience and Recovery Program. Although programs focused solely on psychosocial interventions may be sufficient to reduce the risk of subsequent traumatic events, further development of trauma rehabilitation programs should address both the psychosocial consequences of traumatic injuries and reinjury and readmission prevention.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Recovery of Comfort and Capability After Upper Extremity Fracture Is Predominantly Associated With Mindset: A Longitudinal Cohort From the United Kingdom

OBJECTIVES

To determine the relative influence of mindset and fracture severity on 9-month recovery trajectories of pain and capability after upper extremity fractures.

METHODS

DESIGN

Secondary use of longitudinal data.

SETTING

Single Level-1 trauma center in Oxford, United Kingdom.

PATIENT SELECTION

English-speaking adults with isolated proximal humerus, elbow, or distal radius fracture managed operatively or nonoperatively were included, and those with multiple fractures or cognitive deficit were excluded.

OUTCOME MEASURES AND COMPARISONS

Incapability (Quick-DASH) and pain intensity (11-point rating scale) were measured at baseline, 2-4 weeks, and 6-9 months after injury. Cluster analysis was used to identify statistical groupings of mindset (PROMIS Depression and Anxiety, Pain Catastrophizing Scale, and Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia) and fracture severity (low/moderate/high based on OTA/AO classification). The recovery trajectories of incapability and pain intensity for each mindset grouping were assessed, accounting for various fracture-related aspects.

RESULTS

Among 703 included patients (age 59 ± 21 years, 66% women, 16% high-energy injury), 4 statistical groupings with escalating levels of distress and unhelpful thoughts were identified (fracture severity was omitted considering it had no differentiating effect). Groups with less healthy mindset had a worse baseline incapability (group 2: β = 4.1, 3: β = 7.5, and 4: β = 17) and pain intensity (group 3: β = 0.70 and 4: β = 1.4) (P < 0.01). Higher fracture severity (β = 4.5), high-energy injury (β = 4.0), and nerve palsy (β = 8.1) were associated with worse baseline incapability (P < 0.01), and high-energy injury (β = 0.62) and nerve palsy (β = 0.76) with worse baseline pain intensity (P < 0.01). Groups 3 and 4 had a prolonged rate of recovery of incapability (β = 1.3, β = 7.0) and pain intensity (β = 0.19, β = 1.1) (P < 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with higher levels of unhelpful thinking and feelings of distress regarding symptoms experienced worse recovery of pain and incapability, with a higher effect size than fracture location, fracture severity, high-energy injury, and nerve palsy. These findings underline the importance of anticipating and addressing mental health concerns during recovery from injury.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Key components of rehabilitation programmes for adults with complex fractures following traumatic injury: A scoping review

INTRODUCTION

Complex fractures are severe injuries that cause considerable disability, particularly in the working population. Effective rehabilitation is essential to achieve good outcomes, however, it is unclear what the best rehabilitation strategy is for adults with complex fractures, after their discharge from hospital. The aim of this scoping review was to identify and map the breadth of evidence available on this topic.

METHODS

A systematic search was completed on 24th July 2023 using a combination of subject and specialist databases. In addition, a secondary search assessed unpublished literature from trial registries. A citation search was completed on the selected studies. The template for intervention description and replication (TIDieR) checklist was used to extract consistent data on the interventions reported in the studies. The Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews was followed.

RESULTS

19,253 studies were identified from the search strategy of which 25 studies met the eligibility criteria. Most interventions were exercise-based and delivered by physiotherapists. Some studies compared manual therapy treatments to other forms of physiotherapy or a placebo, whilst others investigated psychosocial interventions, such as cognitive behavioural therapy, in comparison to usual care. Two studies took a multidisciplinary team approach, incorporating components such as exercise, functional activities and self-management strategies.

DISCUSSION

The studies included were heterogenous in terms of population (fracture type, location and complexity), intervention content and therapeutic aims. However, commonalities were found with most interventions or comparators including range of movement, strengthening and task specific exercises; functional tasks; gait and balance training; and advice on return to activities as components. Value was attributed to components such as, a coordinated team approach, person-centred rehabilitation, supervised exercise and psychosocial support.

CONCLUSION

There is a broad and varied approach to the rehabilitation of complex fractures. The studies differed in population and approach, with a wide range of injuries, interventions and modes of delivery reported. Fidelity was poorly described, with only a third of studies reporting adherence or acceptability. There was inconclusive evidence to inform clinical practice and further research is advised. Qualitative, expert consensus, and coproduction approaches are recommended methods to develop complex interventions and best practice guidance.

Cognitive-Behavioral-Based Physical Therapy for Improving Recovery After a Traumatic Lower-Extremity Injury: The Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Lower-extremity injuries can result in severe impairment and substantial years lived with a disability. Persistent pain and psychological distress are risk factors for poor long-term outcomes and negatively influence the recovery process following a traumatic injury. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) interventions have the potential to address these risk factors and subsequently improve outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a telephone-delivered cognitive-behavioral-based physical therapy (CBPT) program on physical function, pain, and general health at 12 months after hospital discharge following lower-extremity trauma. The CBPT program was hypothesized to improve outcomes compared with an education program.

METHODS

A multicenter, randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 325 patients who were 18 to 60 years of age and had at least 1 acute orthopaedic injury to the lower extremity or to the pelvis or acetabulum requiring operative fixation. Patients were recruited from 6 Level-I trauma centers and were screened and randomized to the CBPT program or the education program early after hospital discharge. The primary outcome was the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Physical Function (PF) scale. The secondary outcomes were objective physical function tests (4-square step test, timed stair ascent test, sit-to-stand test, and self-selected walking speed test), PROMIS Pain Intensity and Pain Interference, and the Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey. Treatment effects were calculated using targeted maximum likelihood estimation, a robust analytical approach appropriate for causal inference with longitudinal data.

RESULTS

The mean treatment effect on the 12-month baseline change in PROMIS PF was 0.94 (95% confidence interval, -0.68 to 2.64; p = 0.23). There were also no observed differences in secondary outcomes between the intervention group and the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

The telephone-delivered CBPT did not appear to yield any benefits for patients with traumatic lower-extremity injuries in terms of physical function, pain intensity, pain interference, or general health. Improvements were observed in both groups, which questions the utility of telephone-delivered cognitive-behavioral strategies over educational programs.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic Level I . See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Postoperative Negative Pain Thoughts and Their Correlation With Patient-Reported Outcomes After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair: An Observational Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Pain and pain perception are influenced by patients' thoughts. The short form Negative Pain Thoughts Questionnaire (NPTQ-SF) can be used to quantify unhelpful negative cognitive biases about pain, but the relationship between NPTQ-SF scores and orthopaedic surgery outcomes is not known.

PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS

The purpose was to assess the relationship between negative pain thoughts, as measured by the NPTQ-SF, and patient-reported outcomes in patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, as well as to compare NPTQ-SF scores and outcomes between patients with and without a history of chronic pain and psychiatric history. It was hypothesized that patients with worse negative pain thoughts would have worse patient-reported outcomes.

STUDY DESIGN

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.

METHODS

In total, 109 patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair were administered the 4-item NPTQ-SF, 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) Shoulder Evaluation Form, and visual analog scale pain survey preoperatively between July 2021 and August 2022. The same surveys were completed ≥6 months postoperatively by 74 patients confirmed to have undergone arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

RESULTS

Preoperative NPTQ-SF scores did not show any correlation with the postoperative patient-reported outcomes measured in this study. Postoperative NPTQ-SF scores were statistically significantly negatively correlated with postoperative SF-12 Physical Health Score, SF-12 Mental Health Score, ASES, and satisfaction scores (P < .05). Postoperative NPTQ-SF scores were statistically significantly positively correlated with postoperative visual analog scale scores (P < .001). Moreover, postoperative NPTQ-SF scores were statistically significantly negatively correlated with achieving a Patient Acceptable Symptom State and the minimal clinically important difference on the postoperative ASES form (P < .001 and P = .009, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Postoperative patient thought patterns and their perception of pain are correlated with postoperative outcomes after rotator cuff repair. This correlation suggests a role for counseling and expectation management in the postoperative setting. Conversely, preoperative thought patterns regarding pain, as measured by the NPTQ-SF, do not correlate with postoperative patient-reported outcome measures. Therefore, the NPTQ-SF should not be used as a preoperative tool to aid the prediction of outcomes after rotator cuff repair.

How many sites should an orthopedic trauma prospective multicenter trial have? A marginal analysis of the Major Extremity Trauma Research Consortium completed trials

BACKGROUND

Multicenter trials in orthopedic trauma are costly, yet crucial to advance the science behind clinical care. The number of sites is a key cost determinant. Each site has a fixed overhead cost, so more sites cost more to the study. However, more sites can reduce total costs by shortening the study duration. We propose to determine the optimal number of sites based on known costs and predictable site enrollment.

METHODS

This retrospective marginal analysis utilized administrative and financial data from 12 trials completed by the Major Extremity Trauma Research Consortium. The studies varied in size, design, and clinical focus. Enrollment across the studies ranged from 1054 to 33 patients. Design ranged from an observational study with light data collection to a placebo-controlled, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial. Initial modeling identified the optimal number of sites for each study and sensitivity analyses determined the sensitivity of the model to variation in fixed overhead costs.

RESULTS

No study was optimized in terms of the number of participating sites. Excess sites ranged from 2 to 39. Excess costs associated with extra sites ranged from $17K to $330K with a median excess cost of $96K. Excess costs were, on average, 7% of the total study budget. Sensitivity analyses demonstrated that studies with higher overhead costs require more sites to complete the study as quickly as possible.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data support that this model may be used by clinical researchers to achieve future study goals in a more cost-effective manner.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Please see Table 1 for individual trial registration numbers and dates of registration.

One year of treating patients with open fractures of the lower extremity in a new military trauma center in Korea: a case series

Purpose

The Armed Forces Trauma Center of Korea was established in April 2022. This study was conducted to report our 1-year experience of treating soldiers with open fractures of the lower extremity.

Methods

In this case series, we reviewed the medical records of 51 Korean soldiers with open fractures of the lower extremity between April 2022 and March 2023 at a trauma center. We analyzed patients with Gustilo-Anderson type II and III fractures and reported the duration of transportation, injury mechanisms, injured sites, and associated injuries. We also presented laboratory findings, surgery types, intensive care unit stays, hospital stays, rehabilitation results, and reasons for psychiatric consultation. Additionally, we described patients' mode of transport.

Results

This study enrolled nine male patients who were between 21 and 26 years old. Six patients had type II and three had type III fractures. Transport from the accident scene to the emergency room ranged from 75 to 455 minutes, and from the emergency room to the operating room ranged from 35 to 200 minutes. Injury mechanisms included gunshot wounds, landmine explosions, grenade explosions, and entrapment by ship mooring ropes. One case had serious associated injuries (inhalation burn, open facial bone fractures, and hemopneumothorax). No cases with serious blood loss or coagulopathies were found, but most cases had a significant elevation of creatinine kinase. Two patients underwent vascular reconstruction, whereas four patients received flap surgery. After rehabilitation, six patients could walk, one patient could move their joints actively, and two patients performed active assistive movement. Eight patients were referred to the psychiatry department due to suicidal attempts and posttraumatic stress disorder.

Conclusions

This study provides insights into how to improve treatment for patients with military trauma, as well as medical services such as the transport system, by revising treatment protocols and systematizing treatment.

Technology-Enhanced Delivery Models to Facilitate the Implementation of Psychologically Informed Practice for Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain

Chronic musculoskeletal pain is prevalent, challenging to treat, and often disabling. Evidence supports the role of psychological factors in pain-related outcomes, and it is now accepted that rehabilitation should combine physical and psychological approaches (ie, psychologically informed practice). This Perspective articulates a vision for technology-enhanced psychologically informed practice for chronic musculoskeletal pain, highlights relevant research evidence, discusses how technology can circumvent implementation barriers, and proposes directions for future research.

Musculoskeletal Pain Management and Patient Mental Health and Well-being

Orthopaedic trauma patients have high rates of psychiatric disorders, which put them at risk for worse outcomes after injury and surgery, including worse pain. Mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, can affect the perception of pain. Pain can also exacerbate or contribute to the development of mental illness after injury. Interventions to address both mental health and pain among orthopaedic trauma patients are critical. Balancing safety and comfort amid a drug overdose epidemic is challenging, and many clinicians do not feel comfortable addressing mental health or have the resources necessary. We reviewed the literature on the complex relationship between pain and mental health and presented examples of scalable and accessible interventions that can be implemented to promote the health and recovery of our patients. Interventions described include screening for depression in the orthopaedic trauma clinic and the emergency department or inpatient setting during injury and using a comprehensive and evidence-based multimodal pain management regimen that blends pharmacologic alternatives to opioids and physical and cognitive strategies to manage pain.