Abstract
BackgroundMusculoskeletal disorders of the elbow, forearm, wrist and hand are associated with pain, functional impairment and decreased productivity in the general population. Combining several interventions in a multimodal program of care is reflective of current clinical practice; however there is limited evidence to support its effectiveness. The purpose of our review was to investigate the effectiveness of multimodal care for the management of musculoskeletal disorders of the elbow, forearm, wrist and hand on self-rated recovery, functional recovery, or clinical outcomes in adults or children.MethodsWe conducted a systematic review of the literature and best evidence synthesis. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from January 1990 to March 2015. Randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, and case–control studies were eligible. Random pairs of independent reviewers screened studies for relevance and critically appraised relevant studies using the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network criteria. Studies with a low risk of bias were synthesized following best evidence synthesis principles.ResultsWe screened 5989 articles, and critically appraised eleven articles. Of those, seven had a low risk of bias; one addressed carpal tunnel syndrome and six addressed lateral epicondylitis. Our search did not identify any low risk of bias studies examining the effectiveness of multimodal care for the management of other musculoskeletal disorders of the elbow, forearm, wrist or hand. The evidence suggests that multimodal care for the management of lateral epicondylitis may include education, exercise (strengthening, stretching, occupational exercise), manual therapy (manipulation) and soft tissue therapy (massage). The evidence does not support the use of multimodal care for the management of carpal tunnel syndrome.ConclusionsThe current evidence on the effectiveness of multimodal care for musculoskeletal disorders of the elbow, forearm, wrist and hand is limited. The available evidence suggests that there may be a role for multimodal care in the management of patients with persistent lateral epicondylitis. Future research is needed to examine the effectiveness of multimodal care and guide clinical practice.Systematic review registration numberCRD42014009093Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12998-016-0089-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Highlights
Musculoskeletal disorders of the elbow, forearm, wrist and hand are associated with pain, functional impairment and decreased productivity in the general population
The available evidence suggests that there may be a role for multimodal care in the management of patients with persistent lateral epicondylitis
Our review suggests that there may be a role for multimodal care in the management of patients with persistent lateral epicondylitis
Summary
Musculoskeletal disorders of the elbow, forearm, wrist and hand are associated with pain, functional impairment and decreased productivity in the general population. Musculoskeletal disorders, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are injuries or disorders of the muscles, nerves, tendons, joints, cartilage and supporting structures of the upper and lower limbs, neck and lower back [1]. Musculoskeletal disorders can occur in the supporting ligaments and capsule of the humeroulnar, humeroradial, and proximal radioulnar joints of the elbow, as well as the distal radioulnar, radiocarpal, intercarpal, midcarpal, carpometacarpal and intermetacarpal joints and may involve the triangular fibrocartilage complex. They may involve tendons and muscles surrounding the elbow, forearm, wrist, and hand. Injuries may create entrapment or other forms of distal neuropathies involving the median, ulnar or radial nerves
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