Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain Disorders Research Articles

Metabolic Fingerprinting for the Diagnosis of Clinically Similar Long COVID and Fibromyalgia Using a Portable FT-MIR Spectroscopic Combined with Chemometrics.

Post Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC or Long COVID) is characterized by lingering symptomatology post-initial COVID-19 illness that is often debilitating. It is seen in up to 30-40% of individuals post-infection. Patients with Long COVID (LC) suffer from dysautonomia, malaise, fatigue, and pain, amongst a multitude of other symptoms. Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic musculoskeletal pain disorder that often leads to functional disability and severe impairment of quality of life. LC and FM share several clinical features, including pain that often makes them indistinguishable. The aim of this study is to develop a metabolic fingerprinting approach using portable Fourier-transform mid-infrared (FT-MIR) spectroscopic techniques to diagnose clinically similar LC and FM. Blood samples were obtained from LC (n = 50) and FM (n = 50) patients and stored on conventional bloodspot protein saver cards. A semi-permeable membrane filtration approach was used to extract the blood samples, and spectral data were collected using a portable FT-MIR spectrometer. Through the deconvolution analysis of the spectral data, a distinct spectral marker at 1565 cm-1 was identified based on a statistically significant analysis, only present in FM patients. This IR band has been linked to the presence of side chains of glutamate. An OPLS-DA algorithm created using the spectral region 1500 to 1700 cm-1 enabled the classification of the spectra into their corresponding classes (Rcv > 0.96) with 100% accuracy and specificity. This high-throughput approach allows unique metabolic signatures associated with LC and FM to be identified, allowing these conditions to be distinguished and implemented for in-clinic diagnostics, which is crucial to guide future therapeutic approaches.

Regulatory T-cells and IL-5 mediate pain outcomes in a preclinical model of chronic muscle pain.

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic musculoskeletal pain disorder primarily diagnosed in women. Historically, clinical literature focusing on cytokines and immune cells has been inconsistent. However, recent key studies show several layers of immune system dysfunction in FM. Preclinically, studies of the immune system have focused on monocytes with little focus on other immune cells. Importantly, T-cells are implicated in the development and resolution of chronic pain states, particularly in females. Our previous work showed that monocytes from women with FM produced more interleukin 5 (IL-5) and systemic treatment of IL-5 reversed mechanical hypersensitivity in a preclinical model of FM. Typically, IL-5 is produced by TH2-cells, so in this study we assessed T-cell populations and cytokine production in female mice using the acid-induced chronic muscle pain model of FM before and after treatment with IL-5. Two unilateral injections of pH4.0 saline, five days apart, into the gastrocnemius muscle induce long-lasting widespread pain. We found that peripheral (blood) regulatory Thelper-cells (CD4+ FOXP3+) are downregulated in pH4.0-injected mice, with no differences in tissue (lymph nodes) or CD8+ T-cell populations. We tested the analgesic properties of IL-5 using a battery of spontaneous and evoked pain measures. Interestingly, IL-5 treatment induced place preference in mice previously injected with pH4.0 saline. Mice treated with IL-5 show limited changes in T-cell populations compared to controls, with a rescue in regulatory T-cells which positively correlates with improved mechanical hypersensitivity. The experiments in this study provide novel evidence that downregulation of regulatory T-cells play a role in chronic muscle pain pathology in the acidic saline model of FM and that IL-5 signaling is a promising target for future development of therapeutics.

Mindfulness and Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain: An Umbrella Review.

Chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMSP) disorders are a leading cause of disability globally, affectingup to one in three people. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBI) have become a popular treatment for CMSP. The aim of this umbrella review was to synthesise the best available research evidence for the effectiveness of MBI for adults with CMSP. Eight databases were searched from inception to 30th June 2021 for systematic reviews that examined the use of MBI in CMSP (pain experienced >3 months) in adult populations. Two reviewers independently conducted screening and selection, data extraction, and assessment of methodological quality using The Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews tool (AMSTAR 2). Outcomes examined were pain, sleep quality, depression, quality of life, physical functioning, and mindfulness. Furthermore, definitions of mindfulness, and intervention parameters (mindfulness practices used, length, frequency of sessions, duration) were also reported. Nineteen systematic reviews (n = 1 rated high quality, n = 1 moderate quality, n = 2 low quality and n = 15 critically low quality) examining 194 primary studies met the review criteria. Although some promising evidence was identified for the use of MBI in CMSP, the general low quality and widespread heterogeneity of included SRs and made it difficult to reach a definitive conclusion. Differences in results and outcomes amongst systematic reviews that, in many cases, had a high overlap of included RCTs, suggests fundamental differences in critical design elements that make data difficult to compare. This umbrella review found mixed results on the effectiveness of MBI for the management of CMSP across a range of outcomes (pain, sleep quality, depression, quality of life, physical functioning, mindfulness). Definitions of MBI varied as did parameters, which may have contributed to these mixed results. More rigorous research with stringent MBI protocols is required.

Neurophysiology of pain education knowledge, pain disability, patient satisfaction and central sensitization in chronic musculoskeletal pain

Chronic musculoskeletal pains are multifaceted, and Central sensitization is a potential pathophysiological mechanism underlying a group of chronic musculoskeletal pain disorders. Neurophysiology of pain education knowledge and patient satisfaction levels of chronic musculoskeletal pain subjects may contribute to central nervous system sensitization. Hence, the aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of neurophysiology of pain education knowledge and patient satisfaction levels on central sensitization in large population of patient with chronic musculoskeletal pain. The study included 200 chronic musculoskeletal pain subjects that persisted more than 3 months with average age of 43.93±13.62. A cross-sectional study used non probability sampling. Neurophysiology of pain Questionnaire (NPQ) to know the conceptualization of pain, mood rating scale(MRS) to measure patient’s mood fluctuation because of pain, pain disability scale (PDS) for evaluating patients ability to perform certain activity, central sensitization inventory(CSI) to measure nervous system sensitization and patients satisfaction scale(PSS) to understand patient’s satisfaction towards the treatment and health care provider were used. Descriptive and correlation analyses were used for analysis. The correlation analyses showed that patient disability scale negatively correlated with mood scale and positively correlated with the age, duration of the condition, impact of pain on ADL and central sensitization. And there was a positive correlation between patient satisfaction and impact of pain on ADL. The age, mood, duration of the condition and pain disability were the factors behind central sensitization in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. And the neuro physiology of pain knowledge had impact on pain disability and patient satisfaction.

Prevalence of Central Sensitization in Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain Disorders

Chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP) is a leading cause of work absenteeism and increased costs for employersand the health care systems. It may emanate from activation of peripheral nociceptors due to tissue damage, butwhen the perception of pain persists beyond the expected time for tissue healing, it has become chronic. CentralSensitization (CS) is an important mechanism involved in chronic pain conditions causing amplified responses tonoxious and innocuous inputs. Despite the association of CS in Chronic musculoskeletal pain disorders (CMPDs),the evidence regarding prevalence of CS in CMPDs is lacking.Methodology: A descriptive study to document prevalence of CS in CMPDs was conducted among 190 participantswith age group 18-65 years. The Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI) was used to determine severity of CS inchronic pain.Results and Conclusions: The mean CSI score for the whole sample was 26.28±13.32 and the prevalence of CS washighest among participants with shoulder pain (28.6%) followed by leg pain (25%) and back pain (23.1%). In clinicalpractice, modification of life style factors and improving quality of life in patients with chronic musculoskeletalpain could be instrumental in mediating management strategies of CS in addition to pharmacological treatment.

High-Intensity Laser Therapy (HILT) as an Emerging Treatment for Vulvodynia and Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain Disorders: A Systematic Review of Treatment Efficacy.

High-intensity laser therapy (HILT) has been gaining popularity in the treatment of chronic musculoskeletal pain, including vulvodynia. The objective of this study was to critically appraise and synthesize the available evidence on the efficacy of HILT for reducing pain and improving function in vulvodynia and other chronic primary musculoskeletal pain conditions. Electronic databases and the grey literature were searched. Effects on pain intensity, function, and adverse events were assessed. One study investigating HILT in the treatment of vulvodynia and 13 studies on the treatment of chronic musculoskeletal pain were selected. The study assessing vulvodynia showed favorable results for reducing pain. Regarding chronic musculoskeletal pain, 12 out of the 13 studies selected consistently showed that HILT was more effective than the placebo/active comparator for reducing pain and improving function. The available effect sizes for pain showed large to huge effects. Similar effects were observed for function except for two studies showing moderate effects. The GRADE score was moderate. Conclusions: There are insufficient data to support the use of HILT in vulvodynia, but the promising results encourage further research. HILT appears to be effective in musculoskeletal pain conditions. More high-quality studies are needed to identify effective laser protocols.

Health-related quality of life after 50 years in individuals with thalidomide embryopathy: Evidence from a German cross-sectional survey.

As individuals with thalidomide embryopathy now reaching their 60's they undergo long-term sequelae of their prenatal damage and experience a wide range of secondary health problems, in particular chronic musculoskeletal pain, movement restrictions, and mental disorders. These health problems are having a negative impact on their life circumstances and their health-related quality of life (HRQOL). The aim of this study was to determine the HRQOL in individuals with thalidomide embryopathy in comparison to individuals of the age-adjusted general population in Germany with and without chronic disease conditions (primary outcome). And, further explore the influence of impairment patterns, pain stage, and mental disorders on physical and mental dimensions of HRQOL (secondary outcome). A cross-sectional survey of 202 individuals with thalidomide embryopathy from North Rhine-Westphalia/Germany was conducted, which gathered information about physical examinations including a standardized determination of the pain stage, a structured psychological interview, and the HRQOL. The final dataset was 186 cases for primary outcome. Individuals with thalidomide embryopathy (50.6 years, 55.9% females) show a significantly reduced physical HRQOL comparison to the age-adjusted German population with chronic diseases (physical component score; pcs: 33.4 vs. 45.3, p< .001). In addition, male individuals with thalidomide embryopathy show a significantly reduced mental HRQOL to their male counterparts in this comparison (mental component score; mcs: 45.0 vs. 50.0, p= .005). The subgroup analyses show that individuals with thalidomide embryopathy with quadruple impairment have a significantly lower physical HRQOL than those with hearing loss (pcs: 25.0 vs. 38.5; ci's not overlapping). Second, individuals with thalidomide embryopathy with severe compared to mild stages of pain have significantly poorer levels of physical and mental HRQOL (pcs: 25.8 vs. 37.7, ci not overlapping; mcs: 40.4 vs. 51.8, ci's not overlapping). And, individuals with thalidomide embryopathy without a mental disorder show a high mental HRQOL (mcs: 53.2), while in comparison to the total sample those with somatoform and personality disorders have a significantly reduced physical HRQOL (pcs: 27.5 and 24.8; both ci's not overlapping), and those with depressive disorders have a significant reduced mental HRQOL (mcs: 38.0 vs. 45.8, ci's not overlapping). A longitudinal decreasing HRQOL in individuals with thalidomide embryopathy is known, as well as high prevalence of mental disorders and chronic pain syndromes. This study shows a strong association between these two influencing factors and a poor HRQOL.

High score of dizziness-handicap-inventory (DHI) in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain makes a chronic vestibular disorder probable.

In patients with a vestibular disorder a high score of dizziness-handicap-inventory (DHI) is common. Patients with chronic lithiasis of multiple canals benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (mc-BPPV) can have incapacitating symptoms, e.g. headache, neck pain, musculoskeletal pain, and cognitive dysfunction. Patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain with few objective findings at an ordinary examination of the musculoskeletal system together with unsuccessful interventions can either receive a diagnosis of a biopsychosocial disorder or a diagnosis connected to the dominant symptom. The aim of this investigation is to examine if the DHI- and the DHI subscale scores are abnormal in 49 patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain disorders. In addition, explore the possibility of a chronic mc-BPPV diagnosis. Consecutive prospective observational cohort study at five different physiotherapy clinics. A personal interview using a structured symptom questionnaire consisting of 15 items. Modified Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) including the Physical-, Catastrophic- and Emotional impact DHI subscale scores suggested by the Mayo Clinic was applied. Eighty-four percent of the 49 patients have a pathological DHI-score and a potential underlying undiagnosed vestibular disorder. Very few patients have scores at the catastrophic subscale. A correlation is found between the number of symptoms of the structured scheme and the DHI-score. Results from all five physiotherapy clinics were similar. Patients with a high number of symptoms and a high DHI-score can have a potential underlying treatable balance disorder like mc-BPPV. Increased awareness and treatment of mc-BPPV may reduce suffering and continuous medication in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Regional Ethical Committee (No IRB 00001870).

Reliability and Validity of Kannada Version of Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK-KA-11) - A Validation Study

Background: Chronic widespread pain disorders prevalence has been reported to be 1%-15%. The globalprevalence of MSDs ranges from 14% to as high as 42%. Fear of movement/(re)injury have been considered one ofthe most significant predictors of pain perpetuation and pain behavior, and is a central construct in the cognitivebehavioralmodel of Fear-Avoidance. One of the most widely used instruments to measure fear of movement or(re)injury during movement is TSK-11.Objectives: To translate TSK-11 questionnaire into Kannada version. To find out test-retest reliability of TSK-11in Kannada version among chronic musculoskeletal pain subjects. To find out construct validity of TSK 11 inKannada version among chronic musculoskeletal pain subjects.Methodology: Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the original English versions of the TSK-11 wasperformed according to the published guidelines. The psychometric properties were evaluated by administeringthe questionnaire to 70 chronic musculoskeletal pain disorders patients. Test- retest reliability was estimated byinternal consistency and test-retest assessment. Patients completed questionnaire twice with an interval of 1 week.Convergent construct validity was performed in relation to FABQ-KA.Results: With respect to the chronic pain samples, the TSK-11 total score was significantly and positively correlatedwith catastrophizing, depression, anxiety, and pain intensity, and fear avoidance behavior of FABQ scores. Testretestreliability was tested by using ICC (Baseline and post 1 week) internal consistency was reported in terms ofCronbach’s α (0.89). Cronbach’s α coefficient was calculated for item-scale correlation. It was calculated from firstand second administration of TSK-KA-11(Level of significance was set up P &gt; 0.05).Conclusion: Results suggest that the TSK-KA-11 has been successfully translated and cross-culturally adaptedfrom English to Kannada version and provides with the evidence that the TSK-KA-11 is a reliable and validmeasure to assess ‘Fear of re-injury’ in Kannada-speaking chronic musculoskeletal pain disorder patients.

Validity and Diagnosis in Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine: Critical View and Future Perspectives.

Obtaining a diagnosis is an essential and integral part of physical and rehabilitation medicine in practice and research. Standardized psychometric properties are required of any classifications, diagnostic criteria, and diagnostic rules used. Physicians and researchers, in physical and rehabilitation medicine, need to understand these properties to determine the accuracy and consistency of their diagnosis. Although chronic musculoskeletal pain disorders are among the highly prevalent disorders seen in physical and rehabilitation medicine, limitations regarding existing diagnostic criteria for chronic musculoskeletal pain disorders still exist. Hence, the quest for developing diagnostic tools for chronic musculoskeletal pain that align with the standard properties remains open. These are discussed with an example for existing diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia. This article primarily aimed to provide an overview of standard psychometric properties. A secondary aim was to critically appraise the tools currently used to diagnose chronic musculoskeletal pain disorders. The challenges and limitations of existing diagnostic tools are discussed. Potential approaches on how to improve the conceptualization of the construct of musculoskeletal pain disorders are also discussed. Adopting a network perspective, for example, can better constitute the disease instead of a single known underlying etiology for persistent or recurrent pain symptoms.

The effects of a group exercise and education programme on symptoms and physical fitness in patients with fibromyalgia: a prospective observational cohort study

Purpose Given the limited attention on a combined exercise and education approach for those with chronic musculoskeletal pain disorder such as fibromyalgia, the purpose of this was to evaluate the efficacy of a combined exercise and education programme on symptoms and physical fitness in participants with fibromyalgia. Materials and methods Using a prospective observational cohort study, participants with fibromyalgia (n = 75) volunteered. The 6-minute-walk-test (6MWT) and revised-fibromyalgia-impact-questionnaire (FIQR) were used before, after (6 weeks) and 6-months post an exercise and education programme. Results Forty-three participants (age = 49.7 ± 15.2 y) completed the 6-week programme, with improvements observed for the 6MWT (67 m, p < 0.001) and FIQR (11 AU, p < 0.001), though only two (6MWT) and five (FIQR) participants, respectively, achieved the minimal clinically important difference (MCID). Using 74% of the intial sample, a small-to-moderate improvement in scores were observed across the 6-month period for the 6MWT (37 m, p = 0.002) and FIQR (3 AU, p = 0.01), with only two participants achieving the MCID for the 6MWT. Conclusions The results in this study indiciate small-to-moderate improvements in the 6MWT and FIQR after a combined exercise and education programme, with direct delivery being more effective. Implications for rehabilitation A six-week exercise and education programme elicited moderate, short-term (6 weeks) benefits on physical fitness and key symptoms in patients with fibromyalgia. On average, these benefits were sustained in the long-term (6 months) following the programme but were small-to-moderate and lower than the MCID. Regular follow-up may be required to improve adherence to the education and exercise programme and maintain or increase the observed improvements in 6MWT and FIQR.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors: Impact on trabecular bone score and bone mineral density in primary fibromyalgia

Background: Fibromyalgia is a chronic musculoskeletal pain disorder characterized by widespread pain at multiple tender points, sleep disturbance and fatigue, which subsequently affect quality of life.The aim of our study is to determine the correlation between consumption of SSRIs and SNRIs in patients with primary fibromyalgia, and BMD and TBS. Methods and Findings: A cross-sectional study carried out on 150 Egyptian participants. Patients were divided into 2 main groups: treatment group including 100 patients (50 on SSRI, and 50 on SNRI) diagnosed with primary myelofibrosis, and control group including 50 age-matched subjects (25 healthy individual, and 25 with primary myelofibrosis but receiving medications other than SSRI and SNRI).BMD and TBS were significantly low in SSRI and SNRI treatment groups compared to healthy control. In older population, lumbar spine (L1-L4) BMD and TBS decreased significantly in SSRI group. Also, control patients with primary fibromyalgia showed low BMD. Conclusion: Our study showed that patients with primary myelofibrosis, especially old population, whose treatment involved SSRIs or SNRIs had low BMD and low TBS. Additionally, patients with primary fibromyalgia who neither received SSRI nor SNRI also experienced low BMD. Thus, primary myelofibrosis could be considered as a contributing factor for low BMD.

Management of chronic musculoskeletal pain in veterans: a systematic review.

Background and aim of the work.Veterans are military with health problems due to military conditions. The improved body armor and operational conditions has reduced the number of deaths, but increased the number of veterans with severe injuries, affected by musculoskeletal pain and associated syndromes, such as post-traumatic stress disorder. Multimodal approaches are considered in USA the gold standard for the treatment of these problems, while in Europe and Italy the data are unknown. The aim of this review was to describe and summarize multimodal therapeutic approaches that apply to the veteran population for chronic musculoskeletal pain and relate syndromes management.Methods.A comprehensive systematic review of the literature on Cochrane Library, PubMed, CINAHL e PsycINFO databases was conducted, from 2001 to 2020.Results.228 papers have been found, 134 were selected after the first screening. 24 quantitative studies were included in the review, all from USA. Different multimodal interventions with different kind of treatment types emerged. The analyzed studies’ sample size was 11 million (mean age = 57.67 years; SD=±11.94). The multimodal approaches showed a significant improvement in all outcomes (pain reduction and control, opioid therapy reduction, psychosocial outcomes) compared to traditional therapy.Conclusions.Multimodal therapeutic approaches seem to guarantee a good management chronic musculoskeletal pain and related mental disorders, and the reduction and control to opioid use. Military nurses emerged as professionals who have a central role in this approach. European and Italian authorities should consider veterans, in order to assess their expected increase in the future. (www.actabiomedica.it)

Corrigendum to: Central Sensitization in Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain Disorders in Different Populations: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Corrigendum to: Central Sensitization in Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain Disorders in Different Populations: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The Effects of Racial/Ethnic Minority Status on Sleep, Mood Disturbance, and Depression in People with Fibromyalgia.

PurposeFibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic musculoskeletal pain disorder that is characterized by persistent and widespread pain. FMS has been associated with sleep disturbance, mood disorders and depression. Racial/ethnic minorities are less likely to receive a diagnosis of FMS than White individuals. Although mood disorders and depression are prevalent among racial/ethnic minority groups, researchers have not examined whether there are differences between racial/ethnic minorities and White individuals with FMS.Participants and MethodsThe participants were 600 people who were 18 years of age or older and who had a physician’s diagnosis of FMS, which was confirmed using the 1990 American College of Rheumatology criteria. Most participants were female (95.5%) and White (85.0%). Sleep disturbance was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), mood disturbance was assessed using the Profile of Mood States (POMS), and depression was assessed via the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D).ResultsRacial/ethnic minorities reported significantly greater levels of sleep disturbance, significantly greater levels of mood disturbance, and had significantly greater levels of depression than White participants. However, racial/ethnic minorities had significantly greater reductions in mood disturbance over the one-year period than White participants.ConclusionOverall, the findings from the present study indicated that racial/ethnic minorities had “worse” physical and psychological outcomes than White participants.

Central Sensitization in Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain Disorders in Different Populations: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Chronic musculoskeletal pain disorders (CMPDs) are among the leading causes of disabilities across populations, resulting in high social and financial burden. This persistent pain condition may include the central sensitization (CS) phenomenon, which implies a wide range of symptoms and that may be taken into account in CMPD treatment. CS symptoms can be measured by the Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI). The aims of the study were to describe CS symptoms in patients suffering from several CMPDs and to analyze differences due to gender, age, and body mass index (BMI). This cross-sectional study recruited a total of 395 Spanish participants suffering from several CMPDs. CS symptoms were measured with the Spanish Version of the CSI. The total score (0-100) and a cutoff score of 40 were recorded. A total of 395 participants were included. The mean CSI total score for the whole sample was 24.6 ± 12.0 points. CSI total score had subclinical values in the whole sample, whereas participants with scores >40 were found across different CMPDs, such as low back pain (37.8%) and neck pain (32.4%); 14.6% of females and 1.7% of males presented CSI scores >40. Patients showed significant differences in CSI cutoff point by gender (P = 0.010) and CSI total score by age (P = 0.014). Given the high prevalence of clinically relevant CSI scores (>40) in people with a CMPD, especially low back pain and neck pain, we recommend that clinicians supplement their assessment with the CSI for improved decision-making during treatment.

Cross-cultural adaptation and validity of the Spanish fear-avoidance components scale and clinical implications in primary care

BackgroundPain-related fear-avoidance (FA) is a common problem affecting many patients with painful medical conditions. As there is great interest in the clinical importance of the relationship between FA and disability, several questionnaires have been developed to measure FA. The Fear-Avoidance Components Scale (FACS) is a recently developed patient-reported instrument that addresses critical issues not previously considered in previous FA-related questionnaires. The original English version of the FACS demonstrated good reliability, internal consistency, and construct, criterion, and predictive validity. Two factors were determined: General Fear Avoidance and Types of Activities That are Avoided. The aim of this study was to to translate the FACS into European-style Spanish (FACS-Sp), and validate its psychometric properties.MethodsThis two-stage psychometric study included 330 subjects with various chronic musculoskeletal pain disorders. An initial translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the FACS, from English to Spanish, was performed. Then, critical psychometric properties were analysed, including internal consistency by Cronbach’s α coefficients, structural validity from the Maximum Likelihood Extraction (MLE), and convergent validity by Pearson correlation with the Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI).ResultsThis study reports for the first time the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the FACS. Total scores ranged from 0 to 88 points, with a mean of 30.49 (±17.18). The FACS-Sp showed a high internal consistency for factor 1 (α = 0.902) and factor 2 (α = 0.88). Factor structure was two-dimensional and supported structural validity, accounting for 48.75% of the total variance. Convergent validity analysis found a significant Pearson correlation r = 0.414.ConclusionThis study reports for the first time the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the FACS-Sp. Psychometric properties supported the validation of FACS-Sp and ensured the conceptual equivalence with the original English version. In primary care and chronic pain rehabilitation, FA assessment is crucial for clinical decision-making and treatment guidance. The FACS-Sp offers a new measure of FA in Spanish speaking populations. Future research on the FACS-Sp should evaluate test-retest reliability, treatment responsiveness and psychometric comparisons with other translated versions.

Cross-cultural adaptation, reliability, and validity of the Gujarati fear-avoidance components scale

BACKGROUND: The Fear-Avoidance Components Scale (FACS) is a relatively new patient-reported outcome measure to measure pain-related fear avoidance (FA). OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to translate and culturally adapt the FACS into the Gujarati language and to determine the test–retest reliability and cross-cultural validity of the FACS-G in Gujarati-speaking Indian patients. METHODS: Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the original English version of the FACS were performed according to published guidelines. Test-item comprehension was verified in a group of 20 patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain disorders (CMPDs) with a written survey and cognitive debriefing interview. The content validity of the final version of the FACS-G was then ascertained from a survey of 30 health-care professionals. A cohort of 150 CMPD patients completed the FACS-G and other FA-related patient-reported outcome measures to determine internal consistency, test–retest reliability, agreement, minimal detectable change (MDC), and construct validity. RESULTS: In the opinion of the health-care professional panel, the content validity was very good. The internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.827) and test–retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.923 [95% confidence interval = 0.837–0.963]) were both excellent. The MDC was found to be 13.27 points (scale range = 0–100). The FACS-G correlated most strongly with the FA Beliefs Questionnaire-G (r = 0.705), which supports the concept of convergent validity. It showed a weaker association with the depressive symptom subset of the Patient Health Questionnaire (r = 0.461), which supports the concept of divergent validity. It correlated moderately with the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire-G (r = 0.615) and Numerical Pain Rating Scale score (r = 0.521; P CONCLUSION: The FACS-G showed strong psychometric properties, providing evidence of the conceptual equivalence with the original English version. The FACS-G appears to be a reliable instrument for measuring FA in Gujarati patients with CMPD.

Secondary prevention of chronic musculoskeletal pain: A systematic review of clinical trials.

Chronic musculoskeletal pain disorders are highly prevalent and have high personal and societal cost. Hence, early detection and care of patients at risk of developing chronic pain is important. Risk factors are well known and screening tools exist, but much less is known about the care of at-risk patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of secondary prevention strategies for musculoskeletal pain. We performed a systematic review of clinical trials in which treatments were adjusted to the risk of chronicity in adults with acute or subacute musculoskeletal pain. Clinical trials, systematic reviews and meta-analyses published after January 1, 2000 were searched in PubMed and PEDro databases and in the reference list of relevant papers. The risk of bias was assessed by the PEDro score. We identified 4807 potentially eligible articles; 13, corresponding to 9 studies, met the inclusion criteria. Most studies investigated low back pain. The overall risk of bias was moderate, mainly because of the difficulty of blinding in physiotherapy studies. As compared with a "one-size-fits-all" treatment, stratified programmes showed significant improvements in several domains of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health: body structures and functions (pain, mood), activities (functional capacity), participation (return to work, quality of life), as well as environmental factors (healthcare consumption). Effect sizes were moderate. Overall, simple educational messages seemed sufficient for low-risk patients. Medium- and high-risk patients benefited from a physical reactivation programme combined with education. In high-risk patients, an additional cognitive-behavioural intervention further improved the outcome. A stratified approach seems effective in reducing long-term disability in patients with musculoskeletal pain. However, more research is necessary to confirm these results.

The Fear-Avoidance Components Scale (FACS): Responsiveness to Functional Restoration Treatment in a Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain Disorder (CMPD) Population.

To assess the clinical validity and factor structure of the Fear-Avoidance Components Scale (FACS), a new fear-avoidance measure. In this study, 426 chronic musculoskeletal pain disorder patients were admitted to a Functional Restoration Program (FRP). They were categorized into 5 FACS severity levels, from subclinical to extreme, at admission, and again at discharge. Associations with objective lifting performance and other patient-reported psychosocial measures were determined at admission and discharge, and objective work outcomes for this predominantly disabled cohort, were assessed 1 year later. Those patients in the severe and extreme FACS severity groups at admission were more likely to "drop out" of treatment than those in the lower severity groups (P=0.05). At both admission and discharge, the FACS severity groups were highly and inversely correlated with objective lifting performance and patient-reported fear-avoidance-related psychosocial variables, including kinesiophobia, pain intensity, depressive symptoms, perceived disability, perceived injustice, and insomnia (Ps<0.001). All variables showed improvement at FRP discharge. Patients in the extreme FACS severity group at discharge were less likely to return to, or retain, work 1 year later (P≤0.02). A factor analysis identified a 2-factor solution. Strong associations were found among FACS scores and other patient-reported psychosocial and objective lifting performance variables at both admission and discharge. High discharge-FACS scores were associated with worse work outcomes 1 year after discharge. The FACS seems to be a valid and clinically useful measure for predicting attendance, physical performance, distress, and relevant work outcomes in FRP treatment of chronic musculoskeletal pain disorder patients.