Article
Clinical Neurology
Mehmet Emin Akyuz, Mustafa Nevzat Firidin
Summary: This study investigated the effect of erector spinae plane block (ESPB) on persistent low back pain after surgery. The results showed that ESPB was effective in reducing postoperative back pain.
EUROPEAN SPINE JOURNAL
(2022)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Taylor Wong, Aneek Patel, Danielle Golub, Sertac Kirnaz, Jacob L. Goldberg, Fabian Sommer, Franziska A. Schmidt, Raj Nangunoori, Ibrahim Hussain, Roger Hartl
Summary: Patients with LDH have a higher prevalence of long-term LBP compared to the general population (46.2% vs. 11.9%). The relationship between radiological findings and pain outcomes in LDH remains unclear and requires further research.
WORLD NEUROSURGERY
(2023)
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Kiran Afzal, Hafsah Khattak, Abdul Sajjad, Syed Hussain, Zouina Sarfraz, Azza Sarfraz, Ivan Cherrez-Ojeda
Summary: This study evaluates the impact of active physiotherapeutic rehabilitation on global/functional improvement and subjective pain score reduction among patients 1-2 months following lumbar disc surgery. The results demonstrate significant improvement in pain and functionality, with the intervention group showing lower subjective pain scores, decreased pain disability, and higher global improvement.
Review
Clinical Neurology
Sunqi Nian, Na Li, Fanyi Kong, Sheng Lu, Jiayu Chen
Summary: A systematic review and meta-analysis found that preoperative Modic changes (MC) did not significantly impact low back pain and functional outcomes in patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH) undergoing discectomy. However, LDH patients with preoperative Modic type 1 showed worse functional status at 2-year follow-up.
Article
Orthopedics
Masatoshi Morimoto, Ryo Okada, Kosuke Sugiura, Hiroaki Manabe, Takashi Inokuchi, Fumitake Tezuka, Kazuta Yamashita, Syoichiro Takao, Junzo Fujitani, Koichi Sairyo
Summary: This study investigated the causes of low back pain (LBP) and lumbar degeneration in professional Japanese baseball players. It found that lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and spondylolysis were the most common causes of LBP among players in their 20s, while discogenic pain and LDH were most commonly observed in players in their 30s. The incidence of lumbar disc degeneration was significantly higher in players in their 30s compared to those in their 20s, and there was no significant difference between pitchers and fielders in terms of the cause of LBP or the incidence of lumbar disc degeneration.
ORTHOPAEDIC JOURNAL OF SPORTS MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Daniel Wolfe, Brent Rosenstein, Maryse Fortin
Summary: Transcutaneous electrotherapies have a limited but positive effect on trunk/lumbar range of motion, paraspinal muscle morphology, and trunk muscle function improvement in chronic low back pain patients. Further studies should focus on under-studied paraspinal-based outcomes.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Matthew F. Gornet, Robert K. Eastlack, James Peacock, Francine W. Schranck, Jeffrey C. Lotz
Summary: This study demonstrates the reliability of using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to quantify relative levels of degenerative pain biomarkers and distinguish between painful and non-painful discs in patients with chronic discogenic low back pain. The results also show that surgical success rates are higher when surgically treating chemically painful discs identified by post-processed disc MRS exams, indicating the valuable diagnostic tool provided by MRS for clinicians in selecting appropriate treatment levels.
EUROPEAN SPINE JOURNAL
(2023)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Nebojsa Nick Knezevic, Kenneth D. Candido, Johan W. S. Vlaeyen, Jan Van Zundert, Steven P. Cohen
Summary: Low back pain encompasses various types of pain, with diagnostic and therapeutic methods controversial, requiring a comprehensive approach considering biological, psychological, and social factors. Improvement in diagnostic accuracy, treatment algorithms, and multimodal interdisciplinary treatment are essential.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Fatma Fidan, Mehtap Balaban, Sukru Cem Hatipoglu, Enejd Veizi
Summary: This study evaluated the frequency of lumbosacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV) in patients with low back pain and lumbar disc herniation (LDH), and analyzed the correlation between LSTV presence and intervertebral disc degeneration. The results showed that LSTV was significantly associated with LDH, with a higher incidence in females and a greater impact on multiple intervertebral disc levels. Assessing the relationship between LSTV and intervertebral disc degeneration is important for understanding the pathogenesis of low back pain and LDH.
EUROPEAN SPINE JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Anesthesiology
Pradeep Suri, Ian B. Stanaway, Yanfei Zhang, Maxim B. Freidin, Yakov A. Tsepilov, David S. Carrell, Frances M. K. Williams, Yurii S. Aulchenko, Hakon Hakonarson, Bahram Namjou, David R. Crosslin, Gail P. Jarvik, Ming Ta Lee
Summary: Identifying genetic risk factors for lumbar spine disorders through genome-wide association studies using electronic health record data may lead to the development of new treatments. The study identified two novel associations with lumbar spine disorders, including lumbosacral radicular syndrome and lumbar spinal stenosis. Replication in an independent sample confirmed the association with lumbar spinal stenosis.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Sanjay S. Aripaka, R. Bech-Azeddine, L. M. Jorgensen, S. A. Chughtai, C. Gaarde, T. Bendix, J. D. Mikkelsen
Summary: This study suggests that the intensity of LBP and disability are associated with the level of inflammation in the disc. Pain intensity was positively correlated with TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta, and IL-6 expression, while disability score was positively correlated with IL-6 expression.
EUROPEAN SPINE JOURNAL
(2021)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Daniel L. Belavy, Ashish D. Diwan, Jon Ford, Clint T. Miller, Andrew J. Hahne, Niamh Mundell, Scott Tagliaferri, Steven Bowe, Hugo Pedder, Tobias Saueressig, Xiaohui Zhao, Xiaolong Chen, Arun Prasad Balasundaram, Nitin Kumar Arora, Patrick J. Owen
Summary: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of various treatments for chronic low back pain disorders (CLBDs) in patients, including acupuncture, education, exercise, pharmacotherapy, and more. The research includes network meta-analysis to assess the relative effectiveness of these treatments.
Article
Orthopedics
A. P. Goode, R. J. Cleveland, V. B. Kraus, K. A. Taylor, S. Z. George, T. A. Schwartz, J. Renner, J. L. Huebner, J. M. Jordan, Y. M. Golightly
Summary: This study investigates the association between baseline biomarkers and longitudinal changes in disc space narrowing, vertebral osteophytes, and low back pain. The findings suggest that markers of inflammation and perceived pressure pain sensitivity are associated with the longitudinal worsening of low back pain.
OSTEOARTHRITIS AND CARTILAGE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Asaad Sellmann, Desiree Wagner, Lucas Holtz, Joerg Eschweiler, Christian Diers, Sybele Williams, Catherine Disselhorst-Klug
Summary: With the increasing number of low back pain patients, individualized physiotherapeutic rehabilitation is important. Utilizing inertial sensors and developing algorithms, this study successfully detected typical compensatory movements during autonomously performed LBP exercises.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Luciana G. Macedo, Paul W. Hodges, Geoff Bostick, Mark Hancock, Maude Laberge, Steven Hanna, Greg Spadoni, Anita Gross, Julia Schneider
Summary: Exercise therapy is a recommended treatment for chronic low back pain, and matching patients to the appropriate exercise type based on individual factors can improve treatment outcomes. This study aims to evaluate whether preidentified baseline characteristics can modify the response to two common exercise therapies for non-specific LBP.
Review
Rehabilitation
Lola Qvist Kristensen, Maurits W. van Tulder, Hanne Kaae Kristensen, Marie Almkvist Muren, Lidwine B. Mokkink, Lisa Gregersen Oestergaard
Summary: This systematic review aims to investigate the measurement properties of performance-based instruments to assess mental function during activity and participation in persons who have survived stroke.
SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Alla Melman, Chris G. Maher, Chris Needs, Bethan Richards, Eileen Rogan, Min Jiat Teng, Gustavo C. Machado
Summary: This study reviewed the diagnostic and treatment approaches for patients with low back pain admitted to the hospital. The findings revealed some issues, such as excessive use of sedating pain medicines and advanced imaging, as well as complications during the hospital stay. Strategies are needed to improve inpatient care for patients with low back pain.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
A. N. Varga, A. E. Guevara Morel, J. M. van Dongen, J. Lokkerbol, M. Lindeboom, M. W. van Tulder, L. M. Bouter, J. E. Bosmans
Summary: This paper discusses the collaboration challenges faced by epidemiologists and economists in health intervention research due to differences in terminology, and illustrates these differences with examples. The study aims to improve the quality of multidisciplinary collaboration between the two fields and assist researchers in selecting the most suitable analytical techniques for their research problems.
HEALTH SERVICES AND OUTCOMES RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Rinske M. Bults, Johanna M. van Dongen, Raymond W. J. G. Ostelo, Jo Nijs, Doeke Keizer, C. Paul van Wilgen
Summary: This study examined the effectiveness of a primary care multidisciplinary treatment for chronic pain and found no significant differences compared to treatment as usual. However, there were statistically significant effects on patients' illness perceptions in favor of the intervention group.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Anesthesiology
Lotte Sorensen, Johanna Maria van Dongen, Maurits van Tulder, Lisa Gregersen Oestergaard
Summary: The study aimed to identify prognostic factors for high societal costs and high costs of sick leave, and to assess the validity of the model across different diagnostic categories. The strongest prognostic factor for high societal costs was sick leave at the time of diagnosis. Other factors such as high age, comorbidity, and hospital admission the year before diagnosis were associated with high healthcare costs. The model showed good discriminative ability and explained a significant proportion of the outcome variation.
Review
Rehabilitation
Suzanne Johanson, Lisa Gregersen Oestergaard, Ulrika Bejerholm, Carita Nygren, Maurits van Tulder, Magnus Zingmark
Summary: This study aims to identify and summarize the cost-effectiveness evidence of return-to-work (RTW) interventions provided by occupational therapists (OTs) for persons with mental health disorders. A systematic search resulted in 9 articles that met the inclusion criteria and underwent quality assessment using an economic evaluation tool. The results showed that supported employment, Individual Placement and Support was cost-effective in several contexts, while some interventions had larger effects but higher costs. The study concludes that conducting more methodologically robust economic evaluations is crucial to strengthen the economic perspective in OT RTW interventions.
SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
(2023)
Article
Emergency Medicine
Katie de Luca, Andrew J. McLachlan, Chris G. Maher, Gustavo C. C. Machado
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the management of older adults with lumbar spine conditions in emergency departments, as well as predictors of healthcare utilization in this population. Findings indicated that over one-third of older adults presenting to the emergency department were diagnosed with non-specific low back pain, and the majority were females. They received extensive imaging and laboratory tests, with opioid analgesics being the most commonly administered pain medication. The cost of care per presentation was high and a substantial proportion of patients were admitted to hospital.
BMC EMERGENCY MEDICINE
(2023)
Letter
Medicine, General & Internal
Tiziano Innocenti, Raymond Ostelo, Arianne Verhagen, Rafael Zambelli Pinto, Stefano Salvioli, Silvia Giagio, Alessandro Chiarotto
JOURNAL OF EVIDENCE BASED MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Christopher S. Han, Mark J. Hancock, Sweekriti Sharma, Saurab Sharma, Ian A. Harris, Steven P. Cohen, John Magnussen, Chris G. Maher, Adrian C. Traeger
Summary: This article is a systematic review of diagnostic tests for identifying the source of low back pain. The findings suggest that there are informative tests for the disc, sacroiliac joint, and facet joint, which can guide targeted treatment approaches.
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
C. B. Oliveira, G. E. Ferreira, R. Buchbinder, G. C. Machado, C. G. Maher
Summary: This study aims to investigate the alignment between national health priorities and disease burden. The findings show that globally, there is a low correlation between national health priorities and disease burden. Failing to prioritize health conditions according to burden may result in insufficient allocation of resources for those specific health issues.
Article
Orthopedics
Priti Kharel, Joshua R. Zadro, Giovanni Ferreira, Martin Howell, Kirsten Howard, Sally Wortley, Charlotte McLennan, Christopher G. Maher
Summary: The study found that language influences physical therapists' willingness to follow the Australian Physiotherapy Association's (APA) Choosing Wisely recommendations. Physical therapists are more willing to follow recommendations that provide more detail, alternatives to low-value care, and are positively framed. These findings can inform the development of future Choosing Wisely recommendations and help reduce low-value physical therapy.
BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL THERAPY
(2023)
Correction
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Caitlin M. P. Jones, Chung-Wei Christine Lin, Richard O. Day, Bart W. Koes, Jane Latimer, Chris G. Maher, Andrew McLachlan, Laurent Billot
Meeting Abstract
Health Care Sciences & Services
Adrian Traeger, Gustavo Machado, Sally Bath, Martin Tran, Lucinda Roper, Crystian Oliveira, Aimie Peek, Danielle Coombs, Amanda Hall, Elise Tcharkhedian, Chris G. Maher
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR QUALITY IN HEALTH CARE
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Tjarco Koppenaal, Johanna M. van Dongen, Corelien J. J. Kloek, Remco M. Arensman, Cindy Veenhof, Martijn F. Pisters, Raymond W. J. G. Ostelo
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the long-term effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of stratified blended physiotherapy (e-Exercise LBP) compared with face-to-face physiotherapy in patients with nonspecific low back pain (LBP). The study found no significant differences between the two treatment methods in terms of physical functioning and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). However, stratified blended physiotherapy showed significant improvements in fear avoidance beliefs. Although the costs were higher for stratified blended physiotherapy, there were no significant differences compared to face-to-face physiotherapy.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INTERNET RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Anesthesiology
Bastiaan C. Ter Meulen, Johanna M. van Dongen, Esther Maas, Marinus H. van de Vegt, Johan Haumann, Henry C. Weinstein, Raymond Ostelo
Summary: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of transforaminal epidural steroid injections (TESIs) in patients with acute sciatica. The study found that TESIs had a statistically significant effect in improving leg pain compared to usual care. However, there were no differences in other co-primary outcomes. Interestingly, it was discovered that transforaminal epidural injections were associated with less opioid use.
CLINICAL JOURNAL OF PAIN
(2023)