Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation - Volume 29, issue 3

Authors: Wang, Liang | Guo, Qunfeng | Lu, Xuhua | Ni, Bin

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: There are still no clearly defined clinical-practice guidelines related to surgical intervention for chronic low back pain (CLBP) in the absence of serious structural problems such as instability, spinal stenosis, spondylolysis, infection, or neoplasm. There is also a lack of high-quality evidence regarding CLBP treatment. OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical effectiveness of lumbar surgery vs. nonsurgical treatment for chronic low back pain. METHODS: A search was conducted using MEDLINE® , Embase, and reference lists of articles and personal files. After a systematic search, studies were selected on the basis of inclusion criteria. …Six articles (904 patients) met the inclusion criteria for the study. Pooled estimates of clinical results were calculated with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: All six eligible studies were independent randomized clinical trials. Pooled data revealed that, compared with surgical treatment, nonsurgical treatment was associated with better Oswestry Disability Index scores. Both groups had similar Visual Analogue Scale and Emotional Distress Scale scores as well as General Function Scores. CONCLUSIONS: For chronic low back pain, nonsurgical treatment was shown to be effective, feasible, and safe during the follow-up period. More randomized controlled trials are needed to compare surgical and nonsurgical treatment of chronic low back pain. Show more

Keywords: Chronic low back pain, meta-analysis, surgical treatment, nonsurgical treatment, Lumbar, Oswestry Disability Index

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-150632

Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 29, no. 3, pp. 393-401, 2016

Authors: Karimi, Mohammad Taghi | Kavyani, Mahsa | Kamali, Mostafa

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Scoliosis is one of the common spinal deformities and considered as lateral curvature of the spine. Scoliosis lead to changes in the synergy between body segments, spinal anatomy, left-right trunk symmetry and cause pathological gait pattern [1,4,5-7]. Scoliosis is a structural deformity, so it can alter center of mass (COM) position and weight distribution on lower limbs. This suggests that scoliotic patients show the poorer stability rather aged match normal group. It was controversial that scoliosis influences the balance and gait performances, and also the effects of brace on these parameters. Therefore, it was aimed to evaluate the …available literatures on balance and gait of scoliotic subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a search via PubMed, Google scholar and ISI web of knowledge to identify studies on scoliosis field and the effect of this deformity on kinetic and kinematic parameters as well as the influence of bracing on mentioned parameters. Some key words such as kinetic, kinematic, gait, stability, and walking were used in combination with scoliosis. The publication dates of the full-length articles were between 1998 and 2014. Down and Black tool was used to evaluate the quality of the articles. RESULTS: Our multiple Medline searches led to the find out 54 papers that 26 of which were relevant based on title and abstract. Based on their references, we retrieved 6 more articles. We ultimately included 31 articles in this literature review. The number of studies regarding the influence of brace on kinetic and kinematic parameters in scoliotic subject was small. Based on the results of various studies, there is no correlation between gait pathology and scoliotic curve direction, no difference between stability of scoliotic and normal subjects and no difference between range of motions of lower limb joints in scoliotic subjects while walking with and without orthosis. CONCLUSION: There was a not sufficient robust evidence to judge about the influence of scoliosis deformity on kinetic and kinematic parameters. However, it should be emphasized that use of orthosis may influence the symmetry of gait and improve standing stability in adult with idiopathic scoliosis. Show more

Keywords: Idiopathic scoliosis, gait, balance, scoliosis brace

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-150641

Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 29, no. 3, pp. 403-415, 2016

Authors: Vieira, Edgar R. | Schneider, Paul | Guidera, Casey | Gadotti, Inae C. | Brunt, Denis

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: Physical therapists (PTs) perform demanding tasks that can lead to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD), but the rates and characteristics of WMSD among PTs are not well known. The objective of this systematic review of the literature was to integrate the information published on the prevalence, types, and risks for WMSD among PTs. Four databases were searched using combinations and synonyms for WMSD, discomfort, symptoms, and PTs. Two reviewers independently searched and screened peer-reviewed articles published in English evaluating WMSD in PTs; agreement between reviewers was evaluated. From 867 unduplicated articles, 32 were eligible and included. Up to 90% of PTs …have WMSD during their careers; 50% experience WMSD within 5 years of practice. Low back was the body part most commonly affected. Female PTs and PTs working in hospitals have higher prevalence of WMSD. WMSD are associated with PTs' age, gender, specialty and job tasks. Performing manual therapy, lifting and transferring patients are tasks commonly associated with PTs' developing WMSD. The body parts affected differed by specialty and tasks. The findings presented in this review are useful to inform future research, quality improvement, and educational programs to reduce the rates of WMSD among PTs. Show more

Keywords: Musculoskeletal disorders, physical therapists, occupational injuries

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-150649

Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 29, no. 3, pp. 417-428, 2016

Authors: Gungen, Gonca Odemis | Ardic, Fusun | Findikoglu, Gulin | Rota, Simin

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of mud compress (MC) therapy compared to hot pack (HP) therapy on cartilage destruction and subchondral bone alterations detected by urine levels of C telopeptide fragment of collagen type-II (uCTX-II) in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: Fifty-nine patients between 49-74 years of age with bilateral knee OA divided into 2 groups. Twenty-five patients (16 females, 9 males) and 34 patients (22 females, 13 males) were given HP versus local natural organic and mineral-rich MC therapy respectively for 2 weeks as a total of 12 …sessions. uCTX-II, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), 15 m walking time, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities multifunctional (WOMAC) index were measured at baseline, after-treatment and 3 months after treatment. RESULTS: uCTX-II level did not show any difference between the two groups, however it decreased significantly in MC and HP groups 3 months after treatment (p< 0.017). WOMAC stiffness sore was significantly lower in MC group 3 months after treatment (p< 0.05). Both MC and HP therapies lowered VAS, WOMAC total and subscores significantly up to 3 months (p< 0.017). CONCLUSIONS: HP and MC therapies for OA of knee are not superior to one another with respect to the level of uCTX-II. MC may probably decrease the ongoing cartilage destruction and related subchonral bone interactions earlier compared to HP treatment in patients with knee OA as evidenced by decreased uCTX-II levels after-treatment. Show more

Keywords: Biomarker, balneotherapy, spa, bone, subchondral, CTX-II

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-150629

Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 29, no. 3, pp. 429-438, 2016

Authors: Lee, In-Hee

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate functional biomechanics in patients who undergo total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: Lower limb joint kinematics and kinetics were evaluated in 25 TKA patients at 3 months following TKA and 25 age-matched controls after 12 months following TKA. Participants were evaluated in a gait laboratory, with self-selected gait speed. RESULTS: Experimental group walked significantly slower (p < 0.01), using a shorter stride length (p < 0.01), compared to those for the controls. The experimental group exhibited significantly greater knee motion, lower knee extension moment (p < 0.01), and …lower peak power generation (p < 0.01) compared to those for the control group. Additionally, the TKA group showed significantly smaller peak ankle motion (p < 0.01), lower ankle dorsiflexion moments (p < 0.05), and ankle power generation (p < 0.01) compared to those for the control group. DISCUSSION: These biomechanical properties of gait in the experimental group may be a compensatory response to lesser recovered knee function to allow sufficient power generation for propulsion. Therefore, rehabilitative strategies at 3 months following TKA are needed to improve not only knee function but also hip and ankle function after TKA. Show more

Keywords: Total knee arthroplasty, biomechanics, gait

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-150635

Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 29, no. 3, pp. 439-444, 2016

Authors: Harvey, Steven | Hukins, David | Smith, Francis | Wardlaw, Douglas | Kader, Deiary

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Static radiographic techniques are unable to capture the wealth of kinematic information available from lumbar spine sagittal plane motion. OBJECTIVE: Demonstration of a viable non-invasive technique for acquiring and quantifying intervertebral motion of the lumbar spine in the sagittal plane. METHODS: Videofluoroscopic footage of sagittal plane lumbar spine flexion-extension in seven symptomatic volunteers (mean age = 48 yrs) and one asymptomatic volunteer (age = 54 yrs) was recorded. Vertebral bodies were digitised using customised software employing a novel vertebral digitisation scheme that was minimally affected by out-of-plane motion. RESULTS: …Measurement errors in intervertebral rotation (± 1°) and intervertebral displacement (± 0.5 mm) compare favourably with the work of others. Some subjects presenting with an identical condition (disc prolapse) exhibited a similar column vertebral flexion-extension relative to S1 (L3: max. 5.9°, min. 5.6°), while in others (degenerative disc disease) there was paradoxically a significant variation in this measurement (L3: max. 28.1°, min. 0.7°). CONCLUSIONS: By means of a novel vertebral digitisation scheme and customised digitisation/analysis software, sagittal plane intervertebral motion data of the lumbar spine data has been successfully extracted from videofluoroscopic image sequences. Whilst the intervertebral motion signatures of subjects in this study differed significantly, the available sample size precluded the inference of any clinical trends. Show more

Keywords: Videofluoroscopy, lumbar spine, intervertebral motion, spine kinematics, spinal instability

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-150639

Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 29, no. 3, pp. 445-457, 2016

Authors: Barbosa, Rafael Inácio | Fonseca, Marisa de Cássia Registro | Rodrigues, Eula Katucha da Silva | Tamanini, Guilherme | Marcolino, Alexandre Marcio | Mazzer, Nilton | Guirro, Rinaldo Roberto de Jesus | MacDermid, Joy

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Compare the efficacy of orthoses and patient education with and without the addition to Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT - 660 nm, 30 mW, a continuous regime and bean area of 0.06 cm2 ). The laser irradiation was delivered with the fluency of 10J/cm2 in patients with mild and moderate Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). METHODS: 48 patients were randomized and 30 finished the protocol (a sample loss of 37.5%), 90% female and 10% males. Randomization was applied to allocate the patients in each one of the groups, with association or not to LLLT (group orthoses …or LLLT and orthoses). All of them were submitted to ergonomic home orientations. The short-term symptoms and function outcome were assessed through: Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) - Severity of Symptoms (SS) Functional Score (FS). Pain (VAS), Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments, 2PD and pinch strength was used for characterization of the sample. Most of the participants were women, over 4th decade enrolled on heavy hand duties occupations, right-handed, 66.7% affected on dominant hand, without alterations in sensory median nerve thresholds or pinch strength. RESULTS: Both groups showed a reduction of total BCTQ score and its subdomains after six weeks, with significant difference (p< 0.05), comparing to baseline. No significant difference was found between groups. A Minimal clinical change was observed after the intervention in 92.3% of participants for BCTQ subdomain severity of symptoms at individual comparison for LLLT and orthoses group and 76.5% for the orthoses group, demonstrating clinical relevance. Effect size Cohen's index was moderate for the severity of symptoms. CONCLUSION: LLLT in association to orthoses and ergonomic orientation seems to be effective in short-term symptoms relieve for patients with mild and moderate CTS. Show more

Keywords: Carpal tunnel syndrome, rehabilitation, conservative treatment, low-level laser therapy, orthoses, ergonomics

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-150640

Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 29, no. 3, pp. 459-466, 2016

Authors: Segal-Snir, Yael | Lubetzky, V. Anat | Masharawi, Youssef

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Exercise is considered the first line of treatment for people with non-specific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP) but the ideal exercise type is currently unclear. Given the unique anatomical structure of the lower lumbar spine and the lumbosacral junction transverse-plane rotation exercises may be helpful for people suffering from pain in this region. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to examine the effect of spinal rotation exercises delivered in a group format on range of motion, pain level and function parameters in women with NSCLBP. METHODS: This was a randomized controlled single-blinded study. Thirty-five women …with NSCLBP, participated in either a bi-weekly rotation exercise classes (n= 20) or a `wait-list' control group (n = 15). The exercises aimed at improving lumbar mobility in the transverse plane. Pain rated on a Visual Analog Scale, back specific disability (Rolland Morris questionnaire), and lumbar range of motion (flexion, extension and left and right rotation) were taken prior to intervention, immediately following 4 weeks of intervention and 8 weeks later. RESULTS: There were no significant differences for either group (p> 0.05) on all dependent variables at all times of measurements. CONCLUSIONS: A specific group program of rotation exercises had no effect on the functional status, pain level and lumbar range of motion in women with NSCLBP. Show more

Keywords: Low back pain, rotation exercises, group exercise, Rolland Morris, visual analog scale, lumbar rotation

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-150642

Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 29, no. 3, pp. 467-475, 2016

Authors: Ayhan, Cigdem | Bilgin, Sevil | Aksoy, Songul | Yakut, Yavuz

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Automatic and voluntary body position control is essential for postural stability; however, little is known about individual factors that impair the sensorimotor system associated with low back pain (LBP). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate automatic and voluntary motor control impairments causing postural instability in patients with LBP. METHODS: Motor control impairments associated with poor movement and balance control were analyzed prospectively in 32 patients with LBP. Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for pain assessment, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) for disability measurement, and computerized dynamic posturography (CDP) for analysis of postural responses were used to measure …outcomes of all patients. Computerized dynamic posturography tests including Sensory organization test (SOT), limits of stability test (movement velocity, directional control, endpoint, and maximum excursion), rhythmic weight shift (rhythmic movement speed and directional control), and adaptation test (toes-up and toes-down tests) were performed and the results compared with NeuroCom normative data. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 40.50 ± 12.28 years. Lower equilibrium scores were observed in SOT (p < 0.05). There was a significant increase in reaction time and decrease in movement velocity, directional control, and endpoint excursion (p < 0.05). Speed of rhythmic movement along the anteroposterior direction decreased, while speed increased along the lateral direction (p < 0.05). Poor directional control was recorded in the anteroposterior direction (p < 0.05). Toes-down test showed an increased COG sway in patients compared with that in the controls (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: LBP causes poor voluntary control of body positioning, a reduction in movement control, delays in movement initiation, and a difficulty to adapt to sudden surface changes. Show more

Keywords: Low back pain, postural stability, balance control, posturography

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-150643

Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 29, no. 3, pp. 477-486, 2016

Authors: Dıraçoǧlu, Demirhan | Yıldırım, Nazmiye Kocaman | Saral, İlknur | Özkan, Mine | Karan, Ayşe | Özkan, Sedat | Aksoy, Cihan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Anxiety and depression may cause temporomandibular joint (TMJ) complaints or TMJ disorders may trigger some of psychiatric problems. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors and the interactive role of anxiety and depression in patients with TMJ dysfunction. METHOD: A total of 273 patients who presented to the multidisciplinary outpatient clinic of TMJ diseases that were followed up for temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD), were included in this trial. Patients were classified in three sub-groups: patients with myofacial pain alone (group-1), patients with TMJ disorder alone (group-2), and patients …with TMJ disorder and also myofacial pain (group-3). All patients were examined using the standard TMJ examination and were evaluated with the Hospital Anxiety Depression (HAD) scale in order to determine anxiety and depression. RESULTS: According to the univariate analysis, risk factors for patients with confirmed anxiety and/or depression were being female (p= 0.005), existence of myofacial pain (p= 0.01), effects of stress on complaints (p= 0.005) and insufficient social support (p< 0.001). According to regression analysis, presence of psychopathology was increased 3.7 times in those being female, 3.5 times with insufficient social support, and 1.2 times with myofacial pain. CONCLUSIONS: Among the patients with TMD, the groups who were considered to have anxiety and depression were female patients, patients with deficient social support system, and patients with myofacial pain alone or patients with myofacial pain accompanying an existing TMJ disorder. The existence of anxiety and depression should be considered in addition to musculoskeletal pathologies during the treatment plan of patients with TMJ who have these risk factors. Show more

Keywords: Temporomandibular dysfunction, anxiety, depression, risk factors

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-150644

Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 29, no. 3, pp. 487-491, 2016