Comparison of the autonomic nervous system dysfunction between different chronic spine disorders: neck pain versus low back pain

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aims to compare heart rate variability (HRV) between patients with chronic neck pain and patients with chronic low back pain and to correlate the chronic pain variables with heart rate variability indices. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study. We divided the sample into two groups: neck pain (n=30) and low back pain (n=30). We used the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, Neck Disability Index, Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire, Pain-Related Catastrophizing Thoughts Scale, Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia, and Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire. For heart rate variability analysis, we used the following indices: mean RR, standard deviation of all RR intervals, mean heart rate, root mean square differences of successive RR intervals, triangular index, triangular interpolation of the interval histogram, low-frequency band in arbitrary units and in absolute values, high-frequency band in arbitrary units and in absolute values, standard deviation of the instantaneous beat-to-beat variability (standard deviation 1), long-term standard deviation of continuous RR intervals (standard deviation 2), and Stress Index. We used Student's t-test for comparisons and Spearman's coefficient for correlations. RESULTS: We observe insignificant values in the differences between the groups. Disability and self-efficacy were correlated with heart rate variability only in patients with chronic neck pain, whereas catastrophizing and kinesiophobia showed greater correlations with heart rate variability in patients with chronic low back pain. CONCLUSIONS: Autonomic dysfunction of individuals with chronic neck pain, when compared to patients with chronic low back pain, does present insignificant differences.

Comparison between pain intensity, functionality, central sensitization, and self-efficacy in individuals with unilateral or bilateral knee osteoarthritis: a cross-sectional study

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare pain intensity, stiffness, functionality, central sensitization, and self-efficacy, between individuals with bilateral knee osteoarthritis and unilateral knee osteoarthritis. METHODS: We included sedentary participants with knee osteoarthritis. The diagnosis was defined by a specialist, in which there was a complaint of pain and/or altered function in the lower limbs (duration ≥3 months); morning stiffness; pain intensity ≥3; Kellgren-Lawrence 2-3° associated with X-ray; persistence of symptoms >3 months. We used the following tools: Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index, Numerical Pain Scale, Central Sensitization Inventory, and Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire. Intergroup comparisons were performed using the t-test. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 118 adult individuals, divided into two groups: bilateral knee osteoarthritis (n=59) and unilateral knee osteoarthritis (n=59). We observed a significant difference (p<0.05) and a large effect size (d≥0.8), in the comparisons between: stature, body mass index, physical function, central sensitization, and self-efficacy. CONCLUSION: Individuals with bilateral knee osteoarthritis have higher levels of central sensitization, impaired functionality, and a lower level of self-efficacy.

Structural validity of the Japanese Orthopedic Association back pain evaluation questionnaire in individuals with chronic low back pain

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The main aim of this study was to evaluate the structural validity of the Brazilian version of the Japanese Orthopedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ). METHODS: Individuals with chronic low back pain were included. The data collection of the study occurred by means of online platform. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed. The theoretical version proposed for the JOABPEQ with five domains was tested. The following indices were considered to verify the fit of the model: comparative fit index (CFI), Tucker-Lewis index (TLI), root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA), and chi-square/degrees of freedom (DF). RESULTS: The final sample consisted of 175 volunteers, mostly women (68%), adults (mean age of 28.98 years), lean (mean body mass index of 25 kg/m2), with incomplete higher education, single, with mean of pain chronicity of 61.50 months and mean of pain intensity of 6.78 points on the Numeric Pain Scale. Regarding the structure of the JOABPEQ, the original version with five domains was adequate: chi-square/DF=1.52, CFI=0.954, TLI=0.948, and RMSEA=0.055. The factorial load ranges from 0.41 to 0.90. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the structure of JOABPEQ with 5 domains (low back pain, lumbar function, walking ability, social life function, and mental health) and 25 items in individuals with chronic low back pain.

Correlation between tactile acuity, pain intensity, and functional capacity in individuals with chronic neck pain

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to verify the correlation between tactile acuity, intensity of pain at rest, and movement and functional capacity in individuals with chronic neck pain. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study composed of two groups: individuals with chronic neck pain and individuals without neck pain. Evaluations were performed using the Numerical Rating Pain Scale at rest and movement, Neck Disability Index, and two-point discrimination test. RESULTS: The final sample consisted of 100 volunteers, 50 in each group. The groups did not show significant differences (p>0.05) in personal characteristics. It was observed that volunteers with cervical pain presented alterations in tactile care, with a significant and clinical increase in the perceived distance (Median 6.66; 95%CI 6.29-7.02; Cohen's d 7.22; 95%CI 6.15-8.30), and yet, positive, moderate, and significant correlation between two-point discrimination test, intensity of pain at rest and movement, and neck disability index (r=0.778-0.789, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Tactile acuity is associated with pain intensity at rest and movement and functional capacity in individuals with chronic neck pain.

Structural validity of the Brazilian version of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index among patients with knee osteoarthritis

BACKGROUND: The original structure of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) has been contested in several languages. OBJECTIVE: To assess the structural validity of the Brazilian version of WOMAC among patients with knee osteoarthritis. DESIGN AND SETTING: Structural validity study conducted at physiotherapy clinics and primary healthcare units. METHODS: The study included males and females aged 40 to 80 years who were all native Brazilian Portuguese speakers, with knee pain in the previous six months and a diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis. We used exploratory factor analysis (EFA) followed by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) with implementation of a polychoric matrix and the robust diagonally weighted least squares (RDWLS) extraction method. The adequacy of the model was assessed using the following fit indices: root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA), comparative fit index (CFI), Tucker-Lewis index (TLI), standardized root mean square residual (SRMR) and chi-square/degree of freedom (DF). RESULTS: 203 patients with knee osteoarthritis were included. The model proposed in this study with two factors, i.e. "pain" (items 1, 2, 3 and 4) and "physical function" (items 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21 and 22), showed adequate fit indices in CFA: chi-square/DF = 1.30; CFI = 0.976; TLI = 0.970; RMSEA = 0.039; and SRMR = 0.070. The factorial loads ranged from 0.68 to 0.76 for the "pain" domain and 0.44 to 0.62 for the "physical function" domain. CONCLUSION: The Brazilian version of WOMAC with two domains, i.e. "pain" (four items) and "physical function" (eight items), presents the best structure.

Self-Estimated Functional Inability because of Pain questionnaire for Brazilian workers with musculoskeletal pain: face and content validity / Questionário Self-Estimated Functional Inability because of Pain para trabalhadores brasileiros com dor musculoesquelética: validade de face e de conteúdo / El cuestionario Self-Estimated Functional Inability because of Pain destinado a trabajadores brasileños con dolor musculoesquelético: validez aparente y de contenido

ABSTRACT Our study aimed to perform the face and content validity of Self-Estimated Functional Inability because of Pain (SEFIP) for workers, here called the SEFIP-work questionnaire. This is a questionnaire validity study. Our group previously translated and adapted the original version of the SEFIP, which was developed to investigate musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction to be applied to dancers (SEFIP-dance). However, due to the broad scope of the SEFIP-dance, we made changes and adaptations in the Brazilian Portuguese version of the SEFIP-dance to allow its use in workers. Therefore, face and content validity were performed for the development of the SEFIP-work based on opinions of committee of occupational disease and rehabilitation experts. After face and content validity, this SEFIP-work version was applied to 30 working individuals with musculoskeletal pain. The participants were native Brazilian Portuguese speakers aged 18 years and older. Thus, three changes were made to the questionnaire. All participants understood the SEFIP-work items and alternatives. The average total SEFIP-work score was 6.59 (SD=3.66), with the item "parte inferior das costas" (lower back) being the most marked (n=28; 93.33%), with an average score of 1.18 (SD=0.73). In conclusion, the Brazilian Portuguese version of SEFIP-work presents an acceptable level of understanding by workers in the investigation of musculoskeletal pain or discomfort.

RESUMO Este estudo teve como objetivo verificar a validade de face e conteúdo do questionário Self-Estimated Functional Inability because of Pain (SEFIP) para trabalhadores, aqui chamado de questionário SEFIP-work. Este é um estudo de validade do questionário. Nosso grupo já traduziu e adaptou a versão original do SEFIP, que foi desenvolvido para investigar a dor musculoesquelética e disfunção a ser aplicada a dançarinos (SEFIP-dance). No entanto, devido ao amplo escopo da SEFIP-dance, fizemos mudanças e adaptações na versão traduzida e adaptada ao português brasileiro para permitir o seu uso com trabalhadores. Assim, a validade de face e conteúdo foram realizadas para o desenvolvimento do SEFIP-work baseadas em pareceres de especialistas em doenças ocupacionais e reabilitação. Após a validade de face e de conteúdo, esta versão da SEFIP-work foi aplicada a 30 indivíduos que trabalham com dor músculoesquelética. Os participantes eram falantes nativos de português brasileiro com idade igual ou superior a 18 anos. Assim, foram introduzidas três alterações no questionário. Todos os participantes entenderam os itens e alternativas da SEFIP-work. O escore total médio da SEFIP-work foi de 6,59 (DP=3,66), com o item "parte inferior das costas" sendo o mais marcado (n=28; 93,33%), pontuação média de 1,18 (SD=0,73). Em conclusão, a versão brasileira adaptada da SEFIP-work apresenta um nível aceitável de compreensão por parte dos trabalhadores na investigação da dor ou desconforto músculoesqueléticos.

RESUMEN Este estudio objetivó verificar la validez aparente y de contenido del cuestionario Self-Estimated Functional Inability because of Pain (SEFIP) destinado a trabajadores, aquí llamado cuestionario SEFIP-work. Este es un estudio sobre la validez del cuestionario. Nuestro grupo ya ha traducido y adaptado la versión original de SEFIP, que fue desarrollada para investigar el dolor musculoesquelético y su disfunción destinada a la aplicación a bailarines (SEFIP-dance). Debido al amplio alcance de SEFIP-dance, se realizó cambios y adaptaciones en la versión traducida y adaptada al portugués brasileño para permitir su aplicación a los trabajadores. Así se realizó la validez aparente y de contenido para desarrollar el SEFIP-work con base en dictámenes de expertos en enfermedades profesionales y en rehabilitación. Después de la validez aparente y de contenido, la versión de SEFIP-work se aplicó a 30 personas que trabajan con dolor musculoesquelético. Los participantes son hablantes nativos de portugués brasileño con edad igual o superior a 18 años. Se agregaron tres cambios al cuestionario. Todos los participantes entendieron los ítems y las alternativas de SEFIP-work. El promedio de la puntuación total de SEFIP-work fue de 6,59 (DE=3,66), con el ítem "parte inferior de la espalda" como el más marcado (n=28; 93,33%) y puntuación promedio de 1,18 (DE=0,73). Se concluye que la versión brasileña adaptada de SEFIP-work presenta un nivel aceptable de comprensión por parte de los trabajadores en la investigación del dolor o malestar musculoesquelético.

Brazilian version of the Self-Estimated Functional Inability because of Pain questionnaire for musculoskeletal injuries relating to dance and sport: translation and cross-cultural adaptation

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Self-Estimated Functional Inability because of Pain (SEFIP) is a questionnaire specifically designed to measure musculoskeletal pain or discomfort. OBJECTIVE: To perform translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the SEFIP for dancers (SEFIP-dance), for use in Brazilian Portuguese. In addition, as a secondary objective, we adapted the translated version of SEFIP-dance for use among athletes or exercise practitioners (SEFIP-sport). DESIGN AND SETTING: Questionnaire translation and cross-cultural adaptation study conducted at a public university. METHODS: The Brazilian version of the SEFIP-dance questionnaire was developed following the processes of translation (involving two translators with Brazilian Portuguese as their mother tongue and fluency in English), backtranslation (involving two translators with English as their mother tongue and fluency in Brazilian Portuguese), committee review and pre-testing. SEFIP-sport was developed following the processes of content and face validation. RESULTS: SEFIP-dance was applied to 30 dancers, of mean age 22.38 years (standard deviation [SD] = 3.41), among whom 14 were men (46.66%). The participants understood 100% of the SEFIP-dance items and alternatives. SEFIP-sport was applied to 30 athletes or physical exercise practitioners, of mean age 25.09 years (SD = 8.93), among whom 25 were men (86.33%). The participants understood 100% of the ­SEFIP-sport items and alternatives. CONCLUSION: The Brazilian Portuguese versions of SEFIP-dance, translated and cross-culturally adapted for dancers, and SEFIP-sport, adapted for athletes or physical exercise practitioners, were shown to have adequate levels of understanding.