Improvements In Pain-related Disability Research Articles

Associations of cognitive appraisal and patient activation on disability and mental health outcomes: a prospective cohort study of patients undergoing spine surgery

BackgroundWith the increased use of patient-reported outcomes measures (PROMs) to assess spine surgery outcomes, it is important to understand how patients interpret their health changes over time. The measurement of cognitive-appraisal processes enables the quantification of how individuals think about quality of life (QOL). This study examined how appraisal processes were associated with patients’ views of their role in managing their health—patient activation.MethodsThis longitudinal cohort study from August 2019 to January 2022 included 222 adults undergoing spine surgery for cervical (n = 107) and/or lumbar (n = 148) pathology at an academic medical center. PROMs assessed disability (Neck Disability Index for cervical or Oswestry Disability Index for lumbar) and mental health (PROMIS-29 v2.0), cognitive-appraisal processes (QOLAPv2-SF), and patient activation (Patient Activation Measure). ANOVA models were used to examine the relationships between QOL and cognitive appraisal processes before and after surgery, overall and stratified by patient-activation stage. Effect sizes facilitated interpretation.ResultsThere were significant improvements in pain-related disability and mental health following surgery. Cognitive appraisal processes explained substantial amounts of variance, particularly with changes in mental health (45% before surgery, 75% at three months, and 63%, at 12-months after surgery). With respect to physical disability, less disability was associated with a lesser focus on negative aspects of QOL. Appraisal explained the most variance before surgery for high-activation patients. At 12-months post-surgery, however, appraisal explained the most variance for the low-activation patients. Appraisal explained similar amounts of variance in mental health at baseline and three-months post-surgery for all activation groups, but substantially more variance in the low-activation group at 12-months post-surgery. There were differences in the direction of appraisal-outcome associations by activation group in selected appraisal items/domains.ConclusionsCognitive-appraisal processes demonstrate a significant relationship with QOL among spine surgery patients. These processes explain substantial variance in pain-related disability and mental health, especially among those high in activation before surgery and those low in activation at 12-months post-surgery. Our findings suggest that patients’ ways of thinking about their health may be effective targets of motivational coaching, to help them become more engaged over the recovery trajectory.

Setting the stage for pain relief: how treatment setting impacts interdisciplinary multimodal pain treatment for patients with chronic back pain.

While interdisciplinary multimodal pain treatment (IMPT) is an effective treatment option for chronic low back pain, it is usually accomplished as an inpatient treatment incurring substantial healthcare costs. Day hospital IMPT could be a resource-saving alternative approach, but whether treatment setting is associated with differences in treatment outcomes has not yet been studied. In a retrospective matched cohort study including data from N = 595 patients diagnosed with chronic back pain and undergoing IMPT at the back pain center in Essen, Germany, we investigated the association between treatment setting (ie, inpatient or day patient of an otherwise identical IMPT) and pain intensity, disability, and self-efficacy after treatment. Outcomes were assessed by questionnaires used in clinical routine, collected at pre-IMPT, post-IMPT, and at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up. The results indicate that day patients showed greater improvements in pain-related disability at 3-month post-IMPT (d = 0.74) and in pain intensity at 6-month post-IMPT (d = 0.79), compared to a matched sample of inpatients. Moreover, day patients achieved higher scores in pain-related self-efficacy at discharge, 3- and 6-month post-IMPT (d = 0.62, 0.99, and 1.21, respectively) and reported fewer incapacity-for-work days than inpatients at 6-month post-IMPT (d = 0.45). These data suggest that day hospital IMPT can be as effective as inpatient treatment and might even be more effective for the less afflicted patients. Further research regarding treatment setting and indication could guide optimized and cost-efficient treatments that are more closely tailored to the individual patient's needs.

Internet-Delivered Psychological Pain Management: A Prospective Cohort Study Examining Routine Care Delivery by a Specialist Regional Multidisciplinary Pain Service

Several clinical trials have demonstrated the effectiveness of internet-delivered psychological-based pain management programs (PMPs). However, to date, no large studies have reported the outcomes of PMPs when delivered by specialist multidisciplinary pain services in routine care. The present study reports (n = 653) the outcomes of an internet-delivered PMP provided as routine care by a specialist Australian regional pain service over a 6-year period. High levels of treatment commencement (85%) and completion (72%) were observed, with more than 80% of patients reporting they were satisfied with the intervention. Clinical improvements were observed from pretreatment to post-treatment (% change, 95% confidence intervals (CI)) in pain-related disability (8.8%; 4.5, 12.8), depression (28.4%; 23.0, 33.4), anxiety (21.9%; 14.6, 28.5), and pain intensity (7%; 3.5, 10.5), which were maintained to 3-month follow-up. At 3-month follow-up, 27% (23, 31), 46% (41, 51), 44% (39, 49), and 22% (19, 26) reported clinically meaningful (defined as ≥ 30%) improvements in pain-related disability, depression, anxiety, and pain intensity, respectively. These results were obtained with relatively little therapist time per patient (M = 30.0, (standard deviation) SD = 18.8) to deliver the intervention. The current findings highlight the potential of internet-delivered PMPs as part of the services provided by specialist pain services, particularly those servicing large geographical regions and for patients unable to travel to clinics for face-to-face care. PerspectiveThis study reports the outcomes of the routine delivery of an internet-delivered psychological PMP by a specialist pain service. The findings highlight the potential of this model of care when provided by specialist pain services, particularly for patients not unable to attend and not requiring intensive face-to-face care.

Cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic pain supported by digital patient feedback and artificial intelligence: Do patients with socioeconomic risk factors benefit?

BackgroundIn a recent comparative effectiveness trial, patients with chronic pain receiving cognitive behavioral therapy supported by artificial intelligence and digital feedback (AI-CBT-CP) were more likely to report clinically meaningful improvements in pain-related disability and intensity at six months than patients randomized to standard telephone CBT-CP. Concerns persist about the impact of AI and digital interventions among socially disadvantaged patients. We examined variation in the proportion of patients completing all treatment sessions and reporting clinically meaningful improvements in pain-related disability and intensity across subgroups of patients defined by social determinants of health (SDOH). MethodsSDOH indicators included age, race, gender, education, income, marital status, geographic access, and clinical severity. Multivariate models with interaction terms tested SDOH indicators as potential moderators of treatment engagement and response to AI-CBT-CP versus standard telephone CBT-CP. FindingsRoughly half of participants (52.9 %) were 65+ years of age, 10.8 % were women, and 19.1 % reported Black race or multiple racial identities. Relatively favorable session completion was observed among patients randomized to AI-CBT-CP across SDOH subgroup, with no groups more likely to complete all session weeks when receiving standard telephone CBT-CP. The relative benefits of AI-CBT-CP in terms of pain-related disability and intensity were generally confirmed across SDOH subgroups. AI-CBT-CP had a greater relative impact on pain-related disability among patients <65 years old (p = .002). In none of the SDOH subgroups, did standard telephone CBT-CP have a greater impact on pain-related disability or intensity than AI-CBT-CP. InterpretationThese findings do not suggest that patients with SDOH disadvantages experience poorer treatment engagement or outcomes when offered CBT-CP supported by AI and digital feedback instead of standard telephone CBT-CP. AI-CBT-CP can help overcome treatment access barriers without exacerbating disparities, benefiting underserved populations with chronic pain. FundingUS Department of Veterans Affairs Health Services Research and Development program.

Executive Functioning and Self-Management Processes Mediate the Relationship Between Insomnia and Pain-Related Disability

Insomnia has been identified as a predictor of reduced benefit from cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) for adolescent chronic pain; however, it is not well understood how insomnia leads to reduced treatment response. The purpose of this study was to evaluate executive function and self-management processes as 2 potential mediators of the relationship between insomnia symptoms and pain-related disability outcomes from internet-delivered CBT using a single-arm clinical trial design. Eighty-five adolescents with chronic pain (77% female, ages 12–17 years) and their caregiver received an 8-week internet-delivered CBT intervention. Youth completed validated measures of insomnia symptoms, executive function, self-management processes, and pain-related disability at baseline, mid-treatment, immediate post-treatment, and 3-month follow-up. Results from multilevel structural equation modeling indicated that more severe insomnia symptoms were associated with greater problems with executive function, which, in turn, led to lower engagement in self-management processes and less improvement in pain-related disability. These findings identify 2 mediators by which higher insomnia symptoms may lead to reduced benefit from CBT intervention for chronic pain. Research is needed to understand whether psychological treatments for chronic pain may be optimized by strategies targeting insomnia, executive function, and/or engagement in self-management. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04043962). PerspectiveOur study suggests that executive functioning and self-management processes mediate the relationship between insomnia and treatment outcomes for pediatric chronic pain, highlighting the impact of insomnia on youth learning and implementation of self-management strategies and the critical need for targeted sleep interventions in this population.

An Analysis of the Role of Mental Health in a Randomized Trial of a Walking Intervention for Black Veterans With Chronic Pain

Black patients and those with co-occurring mental health disorders are disproportionately affected by chronic pain, but few interventions target these populations. This is a secondary analysis of a randomized trial of a walking-focused proactive counseling intervention for Black Veterans with chronic musculoskeletal pain (ACTION). The primary aim was to examine intervention effectiveness among Veterans with an electronic health record-documented mental health diagnosis [depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, substance use disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder or serious mental illness (n = 205)] and those without a diagnosis (n = 175). About 380 Black Veterans receiving care at the Atlanta VA Health Care System were enrolled from 2016 to 2019 and randomized to the intervention or usual care (UC) (1:1). The intervention featured 6 telephone coaching sessions over 8–14 weeks to encourage walking. Participants with a mental health disorder were more likely to complete all counseling sessions (56% vs 38%) and reported improvements in global perceptions of pain and pain intensity/interference (secondary outcomes) at 3-months vs UC. Among participants without a mental health disorder, the intervention was associated with an improvement in pain-related disability at 6-months (primary outcome). Black chronic pain patients with co-occurring mental health disorders may require more intensive treatment to affect improvement in pain-related disability. PerspectiveThis study examines the effectiveness of a walking intervention for chronic pain among Black Veterans with a mental health disorder. These patients were more engaged with the intervention than those without a mental health disorder. However, they did not experience reductions in pain-related disability, suggesting more intensive treatment is needed.

Quality of life assessment after total knee arthroplasty in patients with Parkinson\u2019s disease

BackgroundThe number of Parkinson’s patients (PD) undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is increasing. The purpose of the study was to characterize quality of life (QOL) outcomes for patients with coexisting PD and knee osteoarthritis (KOA) following TKA.MethodsPatients with coexisting PD and KOA undergoing TKA between June 2014 and June 2020 were included. These patients were matched to controls with KOA alone by age, gender, basic social background information and Knee society score (KSS). The primary measure was to assess the QOL by the absolute changes in the EuroQOL5-Dimensions (EQ-5D), Pain and Disability Questionnaire (PDQ), and Patient Health Questionnaire-9(PHQ-9) at the last follow-up (LFU). Secondary measures were changes in QOL that exceeded the minimum clinically important difference value (MCID). Data on the health status and QOL of all patients were collected. Simple and multivariate regression analysis was used to evaluate the impact of PD on their QOL.ResultsTwelve KOA patients with PD were compared with 48 controls. Control patients experienced QOL improvement across all three measures:EQ-5D index (0.545–0.717, P < 0.01), PDQ (81.1–52.3, P < 0.01) and PHQ-9(8.22–5.91, P < 0.01) were significantly improved at the LFU; while in patients with PD, only PDQ (91.0–81.4, P = 0.03) slightly improved. There were significant differences in the improvement of QOL between PD patients and the control group through EQ-5D (0.531 vs.0.717, P < 0.01) and PDQ (81.4vs.52.3, P < 0.01) at the LFU.ConclusionTKA has no benefit of QOL beyond a slight improvement in pain-related disability in the KOA patients with PD.

Pain-related disability, PTSD symptoms, and mood among a comorbid chronic pain and PTSD sample prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

There is a knowledge gap when treating comorbid chronic pain and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Addressing this gap, 169 individuals (57.4% female), aged 39.8 years were recruited based on levels of pain-related disability and PTSD symptoms. Participants were assessed prior to, and during, the COVID-19 pandemic. Improvements in pain-related disability were marginally attenuated for the comorbid group, compared to the chronic pain group. Results show that some condition-specific symptoms may not have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Cautious interpretation is warranted due to only two time points and the lack of a diverse sample.

Effectiveness of App-Delivered, Tailored Self-management Support for Adults With Lower Back Pain–Related Disability

Lower back pain (LBP) is a prevalent and challenging condition in primary care. The effectiveness of an individually tailored self-management support tool delivered via a smartphone app has not been rigorously tested. To investigate the effectiveness of selfBACK, an evidence-based, individually tailored self-management support system delivered through an app as an adjunct to usual care for adults with LBP-related disability. This randomized clinical trial with an intention-to-treat data analysis enrolled eligible individuals who sought care for LBP in a primary care or an outpatient spine clinic in Denmark and Norway from March 8 to December 14, 2019. Participants were 18 years or older, had nonspecific LBP, scored 6 points or higher on the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ), and had a smartphone and access to email. The selfBACK app provided weekly recommendations for physical activity, strength and flexibility exercises, and daily educational messages. Self-management recommendations were tailored to participant characteristics and symptoms. Usual care included advice or treatment offered to participants by their clinician. Primary outcome was the mean difference in RMDQ scores between the intervention group and control group at 3 months. Secondary outcomes included average and worst LBP intensity levels in the preceding week as measured on the numerical rating scale, ability to cope as assessed with the Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire, fear-avoidance belief as assessed by the Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire, cognitive and emotional representations of illness as assessed by the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire, health-related quality of life as assessed by the EuroQol-5 Dimension questionnaire, physical activity level as assessed by the Saltin-Grimby Physical Activity Level Scale, and overall improvement as assessed by the Global Perceived Effect scale. Outcomes were measured at baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 9 months. A total of 461 participants were included in the analysis; the population had a mean [SD] age of 47.5 [14.7] years and included 255 women (55%). Of these participants, 232 were randomized to the intervention group and 229 to the control group. By the 3-month follow-up, 399 participants (87%) had completed the trial. The adjusted mean difference in RMDQ score between the 2 groups at 3 months was 0.79 (95% CI, 0.06-1.51; P = .03), favoring the selfBACK intervention. The percentage of participants who reported a score improvement of at least 4 points on the RMDQ was 52% in the intervention group vs 39% in the control group (adjusted odds ratio, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.15-2.70; P = .01). Among adults who sought care for LBP in a primary care or an outpatient spine clinic, those who used the selfBACK system as an adjunct to usual care had reduced pain-related disability at 3 months. The improvement in pain-related disability was small and of uncertain clinical significance. Process evaluation may provide insights into refining the selfBACK app to increase its effectiveness. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03798288.

Cognitive Behavior Therapy Tailored to Anxiety Symptoms Improves Pediatric Functional Abdominal Pain Outcomes: A Randomized Clinical Trial

To evaluate the feasibility of a stepped care model, and establish the effect of a tailored cognitive behavioral therapy, the Aim to Decrease Anxiety and Pain Treatment (ADAPT), compared with standard medical treatment as usual on pain-related outcomes and anxiety. Eligible patients between the ages of 9 and 14years with functional abdominal pain disorders (n=139) received enhanced usual care during their medical visit to a gastroenterologist. Those that failed to respond to enhanced usual care were randomized to receive either a tailored cognitive behavioral therapy (ADAPT) plus medical treatment as usual, or medical treatment as usual only. ADAPT dose (4 sessions of pain management or 6 sessions of pain and anxiety management) was based on presence of clinically significant anxiety. Outcomes included feasibility, based on recruitment and retention rates. Response to ADAPT plus medical treatment as usual vs medical treatment as usual on pain-related outcomes and anxiety measures was also investigated using a structural equation modeling equivalent of a MANCOVA. Anxiety levels and ADAPT dose as moderators of treatment effects were also explored. Based on recruitment and retention rates, stepped care was feasible. Enhanced usual care was effective for only 8% of youth. Participants randomized to ADAPT plus medical treatment as usual showed significantly greater improvements in pain-related disability, but not pain levels, and greater improvements in anxiety symptoms compared with those randomized to medical treatment as usual only. Anxiety and ADAPT treatment dose did not moderate the effect of treatment on disability nor pain. Tailoring care based on patient need may be optimal for maximizing the use of limited psychotherapeutic resources while enhancing care. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03134950.

Novel Technique for C1-2 Interlaminar Arthrodesis Utilizing a Modified Sonntag Loop-Suture Graft With Posterior C1-2 Fixation.

ObjectiveConventional techniques for atlantoaxial fixation and fusion typically pass cables or wires underneath C1 lamina to secure the bone graft between the posterior elements of C1–2, which leads to complications such as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak and neurological injury. With the evolution of fixation hardware, we propose a novel C1–2 fixation technique that avoids the morbidity and complications associated with sublaminar cables and wires. MethodsThis technique entails wedging and anchoring a structural iliac crest graft between C1 and C2 for interlaminar arthrodesis and securing it using a 0-Prolene suture at the time of C1 lateral mass and C2 pars interarticularis screw fixation. ResultsWe identified 32 patients who underwent surgery for atlantoaxial with our technique. A 60% improvement in pain-related disability from preoperative baseline was demonstrated by Neck Disability Index (p<0.001). There were no neurologic deficits. Complications included 2 patients CSF leaks related to presenting trauma, 1 patient with surgical site infection, and 1 patient with transient dysphagia. The rate of radiographic atlantoaxial fusion was 96.8% at 6 months, with no evidence of instrumentation failure, graft dislodgement, or graft related complications. ConclusionWe demonstrate a novel technique for C1–2 arthrodesis that is a safe and effective option for atlantoaxial fusion.

Effect of occlusal splint on oxidative stress markers and psychological aspects of chronic temporomandibular pain: a randomized controlled trial

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD), when progress to a chronic state, might contribute to psychosocial or psychological distress. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of stabilization splint (SS) therapy on pain, pain-related disability and psychological traits of chronic TMD patients, as well as to assess selected oxidative stress (OS) biomarkers during 6-month treatment and associate them with the symptoms of anxiety and depression. Thirty-four participants were randomly assigned into two treatment groups [SS and placebo splint (PS)]. Primary outcomes were pain intensity and pain-related disability while secondary outcomes included depressive and anxiety symptoms. The influence of the treatment type was analyzed with regards to the levels of OS biomarkers in saliva. Participants treated with SS demonstrated significantly greater improvement in pain-related disability (Pain-free mouth opening: p = 0.018, η2 = 0.166; Number of disability days: p = 0.023, η2 = 0.155) and greater reduction of depressive symptoms scores (p = 0.007, η2 = 0.207). When compared to the PS group, participants in the SS group showed a significant reduction of oxidant/antioxidant ratio (p = 0.018, η2 = 0.167) at a 3-month follow-up. A stabilization splint provides advantages over PS in the treatment of depressive symptoms and pain-related disability. Furthermore, clinical success in terms of reduction of depressive symptoms, which correlates with the reduction of oxidative stress markers in the SS group, indicates that oxidative stress is related to psychological factors in chronic TMD patients.

Periodized resistance training for persistent non-specific low back pain: a mixed methods feasibility study

BackgroundWe investigated the feasibility of a 16-week supervised heavy resistance training program with weekly undulating periodization for individuals with persistent non-specific low-back pain (LBP).MethodsTwenty-five adults with persistent non-specific LBP participated in this mixed methods feasibility study. Participants trained a whole-body program consisting of squat, bench press, deadlift and pendlay row two times per week for 16 weeks. We assessed pain intensity, pain-related disability, pain self-efficacy and one-repetition maximum strength at baseline, 8 weeks and 16 weeks. Three focus group interviews were conducted at the end of the program. Linear mixed models were used to assess changes in outcomes, and the qualitative data was assessed using systematic text condensation.ResultsWe observed clinically meaningful reductions in pain intensity after 8 and 16 weeks of training. The mean difference on the numeric pain rating scale (0–10) in the last 2 weeks from baseline to 8 weeks was 2.6 (95% CI: 1.8–3.6) and from baseline to 16 weeks 3.4 (95% CI: 2.5–4.4). In addition, there were improvements in pain-related disability (3.9, 95% CI: 2.3–5.5), pain self-efficacy (7.7, 95% CI: 5.4–10.1) and muscle strength. In the focus group interviews, participants talked about challenges regarding technique, the importance of supervision and the advantages of periodizing the training. Perceived benefits were improved pain, daily functioning, energy level and sleep, and changes in views on physical activity.ConclusionPeriodized resistance training with weekly undulating periodization is a feasible training method for this group of individuals with persistent non-specific LBP. A randomized clinical trial should assess the efficacy of such an intervention.Trial registrationclinicaltrials.gov/ Identifier – NCT04284982, Registered on February 24th 2020.

271. A biopsychosocial approach in the management of chronic low back pain: 2-year outcomes

BACKGROUND CONTEXT Back pain is a pervasive public health problem with two-thirds of the population experiencing it at some point in their lives and associated with significant costs for both treatment and associated loss of productivity. When pain is persistent, traditional single service approaches to treating back pain may be insufficient, as they do not address the psychosocial factors which frequently impact an individual's pain experience. PURPOSE This study aims to present effect of multidisciplinary program using patient reported outcomes measures in this approach to chronic low back pain (CLBP) management. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING The Cleveland Clinic operates an interdisciplinary pain program to care for patients with CLBP, called Back on TREK (BoT). PATIENT SAMPLE First 168 patients to graduate in BoT over a 2-year period (2016-2018). OUTCOME MEASURES Patient-reported outcomes were systematically collected at the point of care through a patient-entered data collection platform which integrates data into the electronic medical record and is immediately available to care providers. Questionnaires include the STarT Back Screening Tool, Oswestry Disasbility Index (ODI), The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) depression screen, and several Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) v1.0 scales, anxiety, satisfaction with social roles, fatigue, pain intensity, physical function and sleep disturbance. Reduction in ODI of 10 or more points is considered to indicate clinically meaningful improvement. PROMIS is a set of self-report measures that assess an individual physical, mental and social health. A change of 5 or more points in PROMIS scores is considered to reflect a meaningful difference. METHODS This retrospective study reviewed all graduated participants with CLBP enrolled in the BoT. RESULTS Analysis was performed on the outcomes of 168 patients completing the BoT program. At the time of graduation, these patients had significant improvement in pain-related disability as measured by MDQ compared to baseline assessments. Clinically significant changes across multiple functional quality of life metrics were also observed, including fatigue, physical function, pain interference and social role satisfaction. In addition, nearly half of the participants demonstrated clinically significant changes in depression and anxiety. CONCLUSIONS The Back on TREK program demonstrates promising 2-year outcomes and supports the basis for creating a standardized way of providing treatment for patients with chronic back pain based in a biopsychosocial treatment paradigm. The process behind the development of this program further emphasizes the value of multispecialty inputs in program development to ensure thorough assessment, intervention and evaluation protocols. The program has since expanded from a pilot status and holds future goals of reaching more individuals with chronic low back pain. FDA DEVICE/DRUG STATUS This abstract does not discuss or include any applicable devices or drugs.

Pain catastrophizing, activity engagement and pain willingness as predictors of the benefits of multidisciplinary cognitive behaviorally-based chronic pain treatment.

Pain catastrophizing and pain acceptance have been shown to be associated with improvements after participation in cognitive behaviorally-based treatment (CBT) for chronic pain. However, it is not yet clear how important each of these factors is relative to the other. Furthermore, it is also not clear if multidisciplinary pain treatment has the same impact on the two primary dimensions of pain acceptance (activity engagement and pain willingness), and whether their role in explaining treatment outcome differs as a function of the outcomes under study. The aim of this study was to examine the relative importance of changes in pain catastrophizing, activity engagement and pain willingness as predictors of the benefits of a multidisciplinary CBT for chronic pain. 186 adults with chronic pain participated. Pain catastrophizing and activity engagement, but not pain willingness, were significantly associated with treatment outcome. Moreover, each one evidenced different patterns of associations with outcomes. Specifically, while changes in both were associated with improvements in depressive symptoms, only catastrophizing was associated with improvements in pain intensity and only activity engagement was associated with improvements in pain-related disability.

Does reduction in sciatica symptoms precede improvement in disability and physical health among those treated surgically for intervertebral disc herniation? Analysis of temporal patterns in data from the Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial

Background ContextPain, pain-related disability, and functional limitations are common consequences of intervertebral disc herniation (IDH). We hypothesized that surgical treatment reduces pain, leading to improvement in pain-related disability and, ultimately, better physical health. PurposeThe present study aims to evaluate pathways for improvements in quality of life during the first year after surgery for IDH by studying temporal relationships between sciatica symptoms, pain-related disability, and physical health. DesignThis is a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial using an “as treated” dataset. Patient SampleThe sample comprised 803 patients in the Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial. Outcome MeasuresWe used the Sciatica Bothersome Index, Oswestry Disability Index, and the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 physical component score. MethodsWe included 803 patients in the Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial who underwent elective decompressive surgery for IDH between 2000 and 2004. Sciatica, pain-related disability, and physical health were assessed preoperatively and at 3 and 12 months postoperatively using the Sciatica Bothersome Index, Oswestry Disability Index, and Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 physical component score, respectively. Temporal associations of improvement in sciatica with pain-related disability and physical health were assessed using cross-lagged path analysis. p<.05 was considered significant. No funding was received in support of the present study. The authors declare no conflicts of interest. ResultsPreoperatively, mean scores were 16.2±5.2 for sciatica, 54.2±20.7 for pain-related disability, and 29.8±8.4 for physical health. After adjustment for patient age and symptom duration, cross-lagged path analysis showed that sciatica reduction at 3 months was correlated with pain-related disability reduction at 3 months (ρ=.76, p<.001), and pain-related disability at 3 months was predictive of physical health at 12 months (β=–.33, p<.001) and sciatica at 12 months (β=.22, p<.001). ConclusionThree months after surgery, patients reported reduced sciatica and pain-related disability. Improvements in pain and pain-related disability occurred within 3 months. Early reduction in pain-related disability is important because path analysis indicated that disability at 3 months was predictive of sciatica and physical health at 1 year.

Is There Really No Benefit of Vertebroplasty for Osteoporotic Vertebral Fractures? A Meta-analysis

Osteoporotic vertebral compressed fractures (VCFs) are the most common osteoporotic fractures. Although percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) reportedly relieves pain and improves function, a recent pooled analysis from two multicenter randomized controlled trials concluded the improvement in pain and disability treated with PVP was similar to those with sham surgery. Using meta-analysis we therefore asked whether compared with either nonoperative therapy or a sham injection for patients with VCF, PVP would (1) better relieve pain, (2) provide greater improvement in pain-related disability, and (3) increase the recurrence of vertebral fractures. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Medline, and the Cochrane library using the keywords "vertebroplasty AND osteoporosis OR fracture". We included nine of the 469 articles identified. Using a random effects model, we calculated the weighted mean differences to evaluate the pain reduction at different times as the primary outcome. Pain-related disability was assessed by a quality of life (QOL) measure. Improvement of QOL and recurrence of vertebral fractures were the secondary outcomes. We used subgroup analysis to reinvestigate pain relief and function improvement of PVP based on two different controls: nonoperative therapy and sham injection. The total number of patients was 886. Pain scoring was similar between the PVP group and the sham injection group at 1 to 29days and 90days. However, compared with nonoperative therapy, PVP reduced pain at all times studied. QOL in the PVP group was improved or tended to be improved compared with QOL for both control groups. The risk of new fractures was similar between the PVP groups and both control groups. Different control groups may have accounted for the different conclusions in the literature regarding the ability of PVP to relieve pain and restore function recovery. Compared with nonoperative treatment PVP relieved pain better and improved QOL. PVP did not increase the risk of new fractures. Level II, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Disability in women suffering from interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome

To examine a biopsychosocial framework of patient disability in patients suffering from interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS). To evaluate the impact of psychosocial factors on the relationship between pain and disability within women with IC/BPS. Women with IC/BPS completed questionnaires including demographics, symptoms and problems (IC Symptom and Problem Indices), pain (McGill Pain Questionnaire), quality of life (Medical Outcomes Study - Short Form 12), disability (Pain Disability Index) and psychosocial variables (Center for Epidemiological Studies - Depression Scale; State Trait Anxiety Inventory; Pain Catastrophizing Scale; Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were employed to determine the factor structure and composition of the measured variables. Structural equation modelling was used to examine model fit and the mediation effect of the psychosocial factors (negative affect, catastrophizing and social support) on impairments and functional disability. Questionnaires completed by 196 women with IC/BPS provided data for the present study. The measurement model showed good fit to the data. Negative affect (P < 0.001) and catastrophizing (P < 0.001) were significant in explaining the relationship between impairments and functional disability, whereas social support did not. Disability in patients suffering from IC/BPS is partially explained by the impact of negative affect and catastrophizing. As a result of the refractory nature of IC/BPS, patient management within a biopsychosocial framework represents an essential area of investigation. Decreases in negative affect and catastrophizing will probably lead to improvements in pain-related disability.

Psychological flexibility as a mediator of improvement in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for patients with chronic pain following whiplash

Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) has made important contributions to chronic pain management, but the process by which it is effective is not clear. Recently, strong arguments have been raised concerning the need for theory driven research to e.g. identify mechanisms of change in CBT and enhance the effectiveness of this type of treatment. However, the number of studies addressing these issues is still relatively scarce. Furthermore, the arrival of varieties of CBT with seemingly different process targets increases the need for such information. The present study explored the processes of change in a previously reported successful randomized controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of an exposure-based form of behavioral and cognitive therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), on improvement in pain-related disability and life satisfaction for patients suffering from whiplash-associated disorder (WAD). Several process variables relevant to theories underlying traditional CBT were included: pain, distress, kinesiophobia, self-efficacy, and the process primarily targeted by ACT: psychological inflexibility. Mediation analyses were performed using a non-parametric cross-product of the coefficients approach. Results illustrated that pain intensity, anxiety, depression, kinesiophobia, and self-efficacy did not have significant mediating effects on the dependent variables. In contrast, significant indirect effects were seen for psychological inflexibility on pain-related disability (pre- to post-change scores) and life satisfaction (pre- to post; pre- to 4-month follow-up change scores). Although tentative, these results support the mediating role of psychological inflexibility in ACT-oriented interventions aimed at improving functioning and life satisfaction in people with chronic pain.

The Willingness to Pay for Reducing Pain and Pain-Related Disability

ObjectivesWe sought to identify chronic pain patients' preferences for levels of improvement in pain-related morbidity (PRM) by measuring their willingness to pay (WTP) for reducing their pain intensity and pain-related disability. MethodsThe study was a cross-sectional nonrandomized design. Participants were recruited from a tertiary multidisciplinary pain center in Canada. A computer-administered discrete-choice experiment was used to explore participants' WTP for various levels of improvement to PRM. Participants chose between two varying combination of treatments that differed in terms of their level of improvement in pain intensity, level of improvement in pain-related disability, and out-of-pocket monthly cost. ResultsThe WTP to completely minimize PRM was $1428 per month. Reduction in pain intensity was valued more highly than functional improvement. For every dollar, an individual was WTP to improve his/her disability to the lowest severity (mild), he/she was WTP approximately $2 to reduce pain intensity to moderate and $3 to reduce pain intensity to mild. The potential return on investment in terms of health improvement gained was $3318 per patient visit per year. ConclusionThe morbidity associated with chronic pain is worth approximately $1428 for every month in the chronic pain health state. From the patient's perspective, treatment and management strategies that focus on reducing pain intensity would have the greatest impact on improving health-related quality of life. Valuing health improvement in monetary terms allows for direct monetary comparisons between the costs of chronic pain interventions and their associated health returns.