The effect of an integrated multidisciplinary rehabilitation programme for patients with chronic low back pain: Long-term follow up of a randomised controlled trial

Comparative effectiveness of nonpharmacological interventions in reducing psychological symptoms among patients with chronic low back pain

OBJECTIVES

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) can seriously impair the quality of life of patients and has a remarkable comorbidity with psychological symptoms, which, in turn, can further exacerbate the symptoms of CLBP. Psychological treatments are critical and nonnegligent for the management of CLBP, and thus, should attract sufficient attention. However, current evidence does not suggest the superiority and effectiveness of nonpharmacological interventions in reducing psychological symptoms among patients with CLBP.Thus, this study was designed to compare the effectiveness of nonpharmacological interventions for depression, anxiety, and mental health among patients with CLBP and to recommend preferred strategies for attenuating psychological symptoms in clinical practice.

METHODS

In this systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA), PubMed, Embase Database, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were searched from database inception until March 2022. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that compare different nonpharmacological interventions for depression, anxiety, and mental health among patients with CLBP were eligible. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses statement was used. Four reviewers in pairs and divided into two groups independently performed literature selection, data extraction, and risk of bias, and certainty of evidence assessments. This NMA was conducted with a random effects model under a frequentist framework. The major outcomes were depression, anxiety, and mental health presented as the standardized mean difference (SMD) with the corresponding 95% CI.

RESULTS

A total of 66 RCTs that randomized 4806 patients with CLBP met the inclusion criteria. The quality of evidence was typically low or some risks of bias (47 out of 66 trials, 71.3%), and the precision of summary estimates for effectiveness varied substantially. In addition, 7 categories of interventions with 26 specific treatments were evaluated. For depression, mind body therapy (pooled SMD = -1.20, 95% CI: -1.63 to -0.78), biopsychosocial approach (pooled SMD = -0.41, 95% CI: -0.70 to -0.12), and physical therapy (pooled SMD = -0.26, 95% CI: -0.50 to -0.02) exhibited remarkable effectiveness in reducing depression compared with the control group. For managing anxiety, mind body therapy (pooled SMD = -1.35, 95% CI: -1.90 to -0.80), multicomponent intervention (pooled SMD = -0.47, 95% CI: -0.88 to -0.06), and a biopsychosocial approach (pooled SMD = -0.46, 95% CI: -0.79 to -0.14) were substantially superior to the control group. For improving mental health, multicomponent intervention (pooled SMD = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.14 to 1.39), exercise (pooled SMD = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.08 to 1.11), and physical therapy (pooled SMD = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.02-0.92) demonstrated statistically substantial effectiveness compared with the control group. The rank probability indicated that mind body therapy achieved the highest effectiveness in reducing depression and anxiety among patients with CLBP. Besides, the combined results should be interpreted cautiously based on the results of analyses evaluating the inconsistency and certainty of the evidence.

CONCLUSION

This systemic review and NMA suggested that nonpharmacological interventions show promise for reducing psychological symptoms among patients with CLBP. In particular, mind body therapy and a biopsychosocial approach show considerable promise, and mind body therapy can be considered a priority choice in reducing depression and anxiety. These findings can aid clinicians in assessing the potential risks and benefits of available treatments for CLBP comorbidity with psychological symptoms and provide evidence for selecting interventions in clinical practice. More RCTs involving different interventions with rigorous methodology and an adequate sample size should be conducted in future research.

Effect of multidimensional physiotherapy on non-specific chronic low back pain: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Many people with non-specific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP) do not recover with current conventional management. Systematic reviews show multidimensional treatment improves pain better than usual active interventions. It is unclear whether multidimensional physiotherapy improves pain better than usual physiotherapy. This study determines the effectiveness of this treatment to reduce pain and disability and improve quality of life, pain cognitions, and electroencephalographic pattern in individuals with NSCLBP.

METHODS

70 eligible participants aged 18 to 50 years with NSCLBP were randomized into either the experimental group (multidimensional physiotherapy) or the active control group (usual physiotherapy). Pain intensity was measured as the primary outcome. Disability, quality of life, pain Catastrophizing, kinesiophobia, fear Avoidance Beliefs, active lumbar range of motion, and brain function were measured as secondary outcomes. The outcomes were measured at pre-treatment, post-treatment, 10, and 22 weeks. Data were analyzed using intention-to-treat approaches.

RESULTS

There were 17 men and 18 women in the experimental group (mean [SD] age, 34.57 [6.98] years) and 18 men and 17 women in the active control group (mean [SD] age, 35.94 [7.51] years). Multidimensional physiotherapy was not more effective than usual physiotherapy at reducing pain intensity at the end of treatment. At the 10 weeks and 22 weeks follow-up, there were statistically significant differences between multidimensional physiotherapy and usual physiotherapy (mean difference at 10 weeks, -1.54; 95% CI, -2.59 to -0.49 and mean difference at 22 weeks, -2.20; 95% CI, - 3.25 to - 1.15). The standardized mean difference and their 95% confidence intervals (Cohen's d) revealed a large effect of pain at 22 weeks: (Cohen's d, -0.89; 95% CI (-1.38 to-0.39)). There were no statistically significant differences in secondary outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

In this randomized controlled trial, multidimensional physiotherapy resulted in statistically and clinically significant improvements in pain compared to usual physiotherapy in individuals with NSCLBP at 10 and 22 weeks.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04270422; IRCT IRCT20140810018754N11.

A rapid literature review on the health-related outcomes of long-term person-centered care models in adults with chronic illness

Introduction

The strong association between age and the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, makes it imperative to promote self-care throughout life. Systematic knowledge on the health findings of person-centered care models may contribute to designing effective healthcare strategies to promote empowerment for self-care in long-term care.

Objective

To assess the association between the implementation of person-centered care models that promote self-care training in long-term care and health-related outcomes, among adults with chronic illness.

Methods

A rapid review of the literature was performed following the Cochrane rapid review methodology. The electronic databases CINAHL, MedicLatina, MEDLINE, and Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection were searched for randomized experimental studies, published between 2017 and 2022, that implemented interventions based on person-centered models to promote self-care in adults aged ≥18 years with chronic diseases and needing long-term health care. Verification of the eligibility of the articles and the extraction of data were performed by two independent investigators. Quantitative data on the health-related variables assessed were collected and, through narrative synthesis, health outcomes were grouped into individual, institutional and societal levels.

Results

Eight studies, mostly conducted in European countries, were included. All satisfied more than 60% of the methodological quality score. A large variability among studies was found regarding the number of participants, the data collection period and duration of the intervention, the samples selected and the care model implemented. A high number of health-related outcomes (n = 17) were analyzed in the studies, using 52 different instruments. The main health-related outcomes were multidimensional, with implications at the individual, institutional and societal levels. The promotion of overall health and wellbeing (n = 4), the implementation of patient-centered care models (n = 1), the positive and more frequent interactions with health professionals (2), the decrease on staff psychosocial distress (n = 1), and the absence of added costs (n = 1), while improving family caregivers' skills (n = 1) were the main health-related outcomes described.

Conclusion

There is a need to develop robust experimental studies focused on the views and experiences of all stakeholders and conducted in different countries and cultures. Short-, medium- and long-term health outcomes should be measured using internationally accepted and validated scales for chronic patients.

Development of a booster intervention for graded sensorimotor retraining (RESOLVE) in people with persistent low back pain: A nested, randomised, feasibility trial

INTRODUCTION

Low back pain contributes to an increasing global health burden exacerbated by unsustained improvements from current treatments. There is a need to develop, and test interventions to maintain initial improvements from low back pain treatments. One option is to implement a booster intervention. This study aimed to develop and test the feasibility of implementing a booster intervention delivered remotely to supplement the benefits from a complex intervention for chronic low back pain.

METHOD

This study was nested in the RESOLVE trial. The booster intervention was developed by an expert group, including a clinical psychologist, exercise physiologist and physiotherapists, and based on a motivational interviewing framework. We developed a conversational flow chart to support the clinician to guide participants towards achieving their pre-specified personal goals and future low back pain self-management. Participants with chronic low back pain who were aged over 18 years and fluent in English were recruited. The booster intervention was delivered in one session, remotely, by telephone. The intervention was considered feasible if: participants were able to be contacted or <3 contacts were necessary to arrange the booster session; there were sufficient willing participants (<15% of sample unwilling to participate); and participants and research clinicians reported a perceived benefit of >7/10.

RESULTS

Fifty participants with chronic non-specific low back pain were recruited to test the feasibility of implementing the booster intervention. Less than three contact attempts were necessary to arrange the booster session, only one participant declined to participate. Participants perceived the session to be beneficial; on a 0 to 10 scale of perceived benefit, the average score recorded was 8.3 (SD 2.0). Clinicians also reported a moderate perceived benefit to the participant; the average score recorded by clinicians was 6.3 (SD 1.6).

CONCLUSION

We developed a step by step, simple booster intervention that was perceived to be beneficial to participants with chronic low back pain. The booster can feasibly be delivered remotely following a complex intervention.

Multidisciplinary team-based management approach for secondary-care patients with severe and persistent low back pain: A mixed-method feasibility trial

BACKGROUND

Persistent and severe low back pain is challenging to treat. Multidisciplinary care with systematic follow-up may be more effective than usual care. However, such a model has yet to be developed and tested.

OBJECTIVE

Our objectives were to develop and test the feasibility of a three-month multidisciplinary intervention with systematic follow-up in a specialized hospital spine center for patients with severe and persistent low back pain.

METHODS

Using the Medical Research Council and National Institute for Health and Care Research framework for the development and testing of complex interventions, we developed a multidisciplinary intervention with systematic follow-up and tested its feasibility, using a-priori-determined outcomes during three months for 24 patients seen at a regional diagnostic spine center unit. As part of the evaluation, we conducted semi-structured interviews with participants and a focus-group interview with clinicians.

RESULTS

Of the 24 patients included, only 17 completed the course of care and provided complete data for feasibility assessment. We failed to reach our a-priori feasibility outcomes, had difficulty with inclusion, and participants did not find the intervention effective or satisfactory.

CONCLUSIONS

The intervention was not feasible as barriers existed on multiple levels (e.g., clinical, administrative, and patient). Excessive study moderations must be made before the intervention is feasible in a randomized trial.

Reliability and smallest detectable change of the Danish version of the Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire in patients with chronic low back pain

OBJECTIVES

Low back pain (LBP) is the leading cause of disability and a global public health concern. Studies indicate that pain self-efficacy is associated with the development of disability in chronic LBP (CLBP) patients. The Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (PSEQ) is a commonly used questionnaire to assess pain self-efficacy in patients with CLBP. It is essential to examine the psychometric properties of the PSEQ in the population in which it is to be used. Thus, the aim of this study is to evaluate the reliability and smallest detectable change of the Danish version of the Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (PSEQ-DK) in patients with CLBP before implementing it as an outcome measure in an inpatient rehabilitation context.

METHODS

This observational study including 92 patients with CLBP was conducted in a multidisciplinary rehabilitation facility in Denmark. The psychometric properties statistically tested included reliability, smallest detectable change and floor and ceiling effect of the PSEQ-DK.

RESULTS

The reliability analysis included 92 patients and revealed an weighted kappa of 0.82 (95% Cl 0.75; 0.88) and Intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.83 (95% CI 0.75; 0.88), which corresponds to a good reliability. The smallest detectable change was 12.67.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study demonstrated that the PSEQ-DK had a good reliability in patients with CLBP in an inpatient rehabilitation context. The current results expand our knowledge of the reliability and smallest detectable change of the PSEQ-DK. In order to implement PSEQ-DK in a rehabilitation context for evaluative purposes future studies should focus on examining responsiveness and interpretability.

Effects of behavioural exercise therapy on the effectiveness of multidisciplinary rehabilitation for chronic non-specific low back pain: a randomised controlled trial

Background

The long-term effects of behavioural medical rehabilitation (BMR), as a type of multidisciplinary rehabilitation, in the treatment of chronic non-specific low back pain (CLBP) have been shown. However, the specific effects of behavioural exercise therapy (BET) compared to standard exercise therapy (SET) within BMR are not well understood. The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of BMR + BET compared to BMR + SET in individuals with CLBP in a two-armed, pre-registered, multicentre, parallel, randomised controlled trial (RCT).

Methods

A total of 351 adults with CLBP in two rehabilitation centres were online randomised based on an ‘urn randomisation’ algorithm to either BMR + SET (n = 175) or BMR + BET (n = 176). Participants in both study groups were non-blinded and received BMR, consisting of an multidisciplinary admission, a psychosocial assessment, multidisciplinary case management, psychological treatment, health education and social counselling. The intervention group (BMR + BET) received a manualised, biopsychosocial BET within BMR. The aim of BET was to develop self-management strategies in coping with CLBP. The control group (BMR + SET) received biomedical SET within BMR with the aim to improve mainly physical fitness. Therapists in both study groups were not blinded. The BMR lasted on average 27 days, and both exercise programmes had a mean duration of 26 h. The primary outcome was functional ability at 12 months. Secondary outcomes were e.g. pain, avoidance-endurance, pain management and physical activity. The analysis was by intention-to-treat, blinded to the study group, and used a linear mixed model.

Results

There were no between-group differences observed in function at the end of the BMR (mean difference, 0.08; 95% CI − 2.82 to 2.99; p = 0.955), at 6 months (mean difference, − 1.80; 95% CI; − 5.57 to 1.97; p = 0.349) and at 12 months (mean difference, − 1.33; 95% CI − 5.57 to 2.92; p = 0.540). Both study groups improved in the primary outcome and most secondary outcomes at 12 months with small to medium effect sizes.

Conclusion

BMR + BET was not more effective in improving function and other secondary outcomes in individuals with CLBP compared to BMR + SET.

Trial registration

Current controlled trials NCT01666639, 16/08/2012.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12891-021-04353-y.