Kinesiophobia and physical therapy-related pain in musculoskeletal pain: A national multicenter cohort study on patients and their general physicians.

INTRODUCTION: Physical therapy (PT) represents a major approach in musculoskeletal (MSK) pain. This study aimed to assess kinesiophobia, its impact and management, in patients with MSK pain treated by PT. METHODS: A national multicenter, prospective study was conducted in France in patients with MSK pain referred to PT. Kinesiophobia was scored with the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK). Pain, satisfaction, analgesic intake and acceptability were assessed at the initial visit, at the 5th PT session, and at the end of PT. RESULTS: A total of 700 consecutive outpatients with MSK pain, 54.5% female, referred to PT were recruited by 186 GPs: 501 had significant levels of kinesiophobia (TSK score>40). Patients with kinesiophobia were significantly older, with less physical activity, more pain and less acceptability. Patients from GPs presenting with kinesiophobia had both higher pain and kinesiophobia levels. After 5 PT sessions, global satisfaction was significantly higher in patients without kinesiophobia. A significant increase of PT satisfaction was observed in patients who had been given preventive analgesics before PT sessions, in 25.6% of patients. Independent predictors for specific management of PT-induced pain were: patient's kinesiophobia (OR=2.02 [1.07-3.82]), current analgesics treatment (OR=2.05 [1.16-3.63]), GP with postgraduate course on pain (OR=2.65 [1.29-5.43]), GP's independent practice (OR=1.88 [1.01-3.48]). CONCLUSION: Kinesiophobia is frequent in patients with MSK pain, is associated to GPs' kinesiophobia and decreases satisfaction of physical therapy. Preventive analgesic treatment before PT sessions improves patients' satisfaction and should be proposed to improve MSK pain management.

Residual symptoms and functional performance in a large sample of euthymic bipolar patients in France (the OPTHYMUM study).

BACKGROUND: Some residual symptoms were found to be associated with impaired functioning in euthymic bipolar patients, but their impact and relevance are unclear in clinical practice. We re-examined the functional influence of a large set of residual symptoms in 525 euthymic bipolar outpatients using self- and clinician-rated questionnaires (OPTHYMUM study). METHODS: This was a multi-centre, cross-sectional, non-interventional study of adult bipolar outpatients. All patients were euthymic at the time of assessment (YMRS score <8 and BDRS ≤8). Patients with low functioning (GAF score <60) were compared with the rest of the sample. Patients filled in specific questionnaires concerning their perceptions of different residual and subsyndromal symptoms. RESULTS: Ninety-seven (97) psychiatrists included 525 patients. Of them, 35 patients had a GAF score <60. These "low functioning patients" were more frequently unemployed, had presented more manic episodes and psychotic symptoms, used more atypical antipsychotics or benzodiazepines and received less adjunctive psychotherapy. Concerning residual symptoms, they had more frequent emotional subsyndromal symptoms, disruption of circadian rhythms and sexual disorders. They perceived some cognitive deficits and suffered more social and family stigma. LIMITATIONS: Our study used an arbitrary GAF cut-off score (60) to separate bipolar patients in two groups (low and satisfactory functioning). CONCLUSIONS: Residual symptoms are associated with functional impairment and may represent specific treatment targets. A personalized approach through specific psychotherapeutic programs may lead to more efficient support by the clinician.