Development of a brief core set for knee dysfunction based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health: assessing construct validity and measurement potential.

BACKGROUND: The comprehensive core set for knee dysfunction was developed to classify the functioning of people with any knee dysfunction. To be used as a clinical instrument to measure the functioning of people with knee dysfunction, the construct validity of the core set still needs to be assessed. The purpose of this study was to analyze the construct validity of the comprehensive core set for knee dysfunction as an instrument to measure functioning. METHODS: A cross-sectional study with 200 participants with knee dysfunction with or without clinical diagnosis of knee pathology, with or without complaint of pain, with or without instability, and/or with or without knee movement restriction of any type. Participants were assessed using the comprehensive core set for knee dysfunction with 25 categories, the subjective form from the International Knee Documentation Committee scale, and measures of self-perceived general health and functioning. The construct validity of the core set was assessed by Rasch analysis, and the external construct validity was assessed by correlation between the score of the brief core set for knee dysfunction with the subjective form from the International Knee Documentation Committee scale, and scores of self-perception of health and functioning. RESULTS: Twelve categories were consistent with a unidimensional construct, with no difference in the response pattern for age, sex, educational level, and time of complaint. These categories were included in the brief core set for knee dysfunction. The mean score of the brief core set was 37 ± 21 points, a value classified as moderate impairment regarding functioning. Correlations with the subjective form from the International Knee Documentation Committee scale and scores of self-perception were adequate (p < 0.01; r > 0.5). CONCLUSION: The brief core set for knee dysfunction, a set with 12 categories, can be used as a clinical instrument to measure and score the functioning of people with knee dysfunction, aged between 18 and 89 years, with adequate construct validity.

What are the costs of managing neck and low back pain in Brazil? Investigation of a ten-year period from the perspective of the Brazilian public health system.

INTRODUCTION: Considering the prospects of increased prevalence and disability due to neck and low back pain, it is relevant to investigate the care processes adopted, to assist future public policies and decision-making for a better allocation of resources. Objective: the aim of this study was to estimate the costs arising from inpatient and outpatient care of individuals with Neck Pain (NP) and Low Back Pain (LBP) in Brazil, between 2010 and 2019. METHODS: This is a cost-of-illness study from the perspective of the Brazilian public health system, based on health conditions with high prevalence (neck and low back pain). Data were presented descriptively using absolute and relative values. RESULTS: Between 2010 and 2019, the health system spent more than $600 million (R$ 2.3 billion) to treat NP and LBP in adults, and LBP accounted for most of the expenses. Female had higher absolute expenses in inpatient care and in the outpatient system. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that the costs with NP and LBP in Brazil were considerable. Female patients had higher outpatient costs and male patients had higher hospitalization costs. Healthcare expenses were concentrated for individuals between 34 and 63 years of age.

This study focused on understanding how much it cost to treat neck pain (NP) and low back pain (LBP) in Brazil between 2010 and 2019, from the point of view of the public health system (i.e. Unified Health System ­ SUS). The idea was to find out how much money was spent and where. It turned out that the SUS spent, in total, more than US$600 million (R$2.3 billion) with LBP responsible for most of these expenses. Furthermore, we noted that women had higher outpatient care costs, while men had higher hospitalization costs. Those costs were more concentrated in people aged between 34 and 63 years.

Hip biomechanics in patients with low back pain, what do we know? A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Biomechanical alterations in patients with low back pain (LBP), as reduced range of motion or strength, do not appear to be exclusively related to the trunk. Thus, studies have investigated biomechanical changes in the hip, due to the proximity of this joint to the low back region. However, the relationship between hip biomechanical changes in patients with LBP is still controversial and needs to be summarized. Therefore, the aim of this study was to systematically review observational studies that used biomechanical assessments in patients with non-specific LBP. METHODS: The search for observational studies that evaluated hip biomechanical variables (i.e., range of motion, kinematic, strength, and electromyography) in adults with non-specific acute, subacute, and chronic LBP was performed in the PubMed, Embase, Cinahl and Sportdiscus databases on February 22nd, 2024. Four blocks of descriptors were used: 1) type of study, 2) LBP, 3) hip and 4) biomechanical assessment. Two independent assessors selected eligible studies and extracted the following data: author, year of publication, country, study objective, participant characteristics, outcomes, and results. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the Epidemiological Appraisal Instrument and classified as low, moderate, and high. Due to the heterogeneity of the biomechanical assessment and, consequently, of the results among eligible studies, a descriptive analysis was performed. RESULTS: The search strategy returned 338 articles of which 54 were included: nine articles evaluating range of motion, 16 evaluating kinematic, four strength, seven electromyography and 18 evaluating more than one outcome. The studies presented moderate and high methodological quality. Patients with LBP, regardless of symptoms, showed a significant reduction in hip range of motion, especially hip internal rotation, reduction in the time to perform functional activities such as sit-to-stance-to-sit, sit-to-stand or walking, greater activation of the hamstrings and gluteus maximus muscles and weakness of the hip abductor and extensor muscles during specific tests and functional activities compared to healthy individuals. CONCLUSION: Patients with LBP present changes in range of motion, task execution, activation, and hip muscle strength when compared to healthy individuals. Therefore, clinicians must pay greater attention to the assessment and management of the hip during the treatment of these patients. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) (CRD42020213599).

Is there hip muscle weakness in adults with chronic non-specific low back pain? A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic low back pain may present changes in hip muscles. However, there is still limited and controversial evidence of the association between hip muscle weakness and chronic low back pain and whether this weakness can be assessed with functional tests. The purpose of this study was to assess whether there is hip muscle weakness in patients with non-specific chronic low back pain and whether there is an association between the positive Trendelenburg and Step-Down tests and hip muscle strength. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 40 patients with chronic low back pain and 40 healthy participants, assessed in an outpatient clinic in Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil. Muscle strength was measured for the hip abductors, adductors, extensors, internal rotators, and external rotators using isometric manual dynamometry and functional stability was measured by the Trendelenburg and Step-Down tests. Muscle strength was compared using the t test for independent samples and the chi-square test. The association between the tests and strength was performed using a binary logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Healthy participants showed a statistically significant greater muscle strength for the right hip abductors (mean difference [MD]: 28.1%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 9.4 to 46.9), right adductors (MD: 18.7%, 95% CI: 6.2 to 31.2), right internal rotators (MD: 8.7%, 95% CI: 1.5 to 15.8), right extensors (MD: 21.1%, 95% CI: 6.2 to 31.2), left abductors (MD: 30.4%, 95% CI: 11.9 to 49), left adductors (MD: 18.4%, 95% CI: 3.7 to 33.2), and left extensors (MD: 21.6%, 95% CI: 6.6 to 36.5). There was no difference between groups for the positive functional tests, and there was no association between the tests and hip muscle strength. CONCLUSION: Patients with chronic low back pain tend to have hip abductors, adductors, and extensors weakness. Furthermore, the functional tests should not be associated to hip muscle strength in patients with chronic low back pain.

Avaliação da procalcitonina como tecnologia de saúde a ser incorporada em um hospital universitário para redução de tempo de tratamento com antimicrobianos / Evaluation of procalcitonin as a health technology to be incorporated in a university hospital to reduce treatment time with antimicrobials

Introdução: O uso do biomarcador procalcitonina (PCT) de forma racionalizada pode contribuir para reduzir o uso excessivo de antimicrobianos, poupar recursos e qualificar o cuidado com o paciente. Objetivo: Avaliar a eficácia da PCT na redução do tempo de tratamento com antimicrobianos e o impacto financeiro e factibilidade da incorporação desta tecnologia a partir de cenários simulados em um hospital de pequeno porte e média complexidade. Material e Métodos: Revisão da literatura, a partir da base de dados Pubmed seguida de análise de custo em quatro cenários simulados, comparando o PCR com a PCT. Foram incluídos ensaios clínicos randomizados e revisões sistemáticas cuja intervenção consistia no uso de PCT para guiar o tempo de tratamento com antimicrobianos. A seleção e extração dos dados foi realizada por quatro revisores independentes. A análise de custo foi realizada por meio de cenários simulados com os antimicrobianos de maior impacto na instituição totalizando doze terapias analisadas, a partir de dados de custos efetivamente desembolsados. Resultados: Foram selecionados 8 artigos para a análise final. A PCT possibilitou redução significativa de tempo de tratamento, redução de mortalidade, tempo de internação, eventos adversos e custos. A simulação de custo demonstrou que o cenário com PCT foi mais econômico para 67% das terapias analisadas, chegando à uma economia de até R$567,86 por tratamento, no caso da terapia combinada com meropenem, vancomicina e polimixina. Conclusão: A terapia guiada pela PCT reduz tempo de tratamento, internação e mortalidade apresentando impacto considerável na redução dos custos diretos, sendo factível a sua incorporação no cenário analisado

Introduction: The use of the procalcitonin (PCT) biomarker in a rationalized manner can contribute to reducing the excessive usage of antimicrobial, saving resources and improving patient care. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of PCT in reducing antimicrobial treatment time and the financial impact and feasibility of incorporating this technology based on simulated scenarios in a small and medium-complexity hospital. Material and Methods: Literature review, based on the Pubmed database followed by cost analysis in four simulated scenarios, comparing PCR with PCT test. Randomized clinical trials and systematic reviews whose intervention consisted of the use of PCT to guide the duration of antimicrobial treatment were included. Data selection and extraction was carried out by four independent reviewers. The cost analysis was carried out through simulated scenarios with the twelve therapies with the greatest impact on the institution, based on data of costs actually disbursed. Results: The final analysis included 8 articles. PCT resulted in significant reduction of duration of antibiotic treatment, reduction in mortality, length of stay, adverse events and costs. The cost simulation demonstrated that the PCT scenario was more economical for 67% of therapies analyzed, reaching savings up to R$567.86 per treatment, in the case of combined therapy with meropenem, vancomycin and polymyxin.Conclusion: PCT-guided therapy reduces treatment duration, hospitalization and mortality, presenting a considerable impact on reducing direct costs, making it feasible to incorporate it into the analyzed scenario.

Analysis of Salivary Levels of IL-1ß, IL17A, OPG and RANK-L in Periodontitis Using the 2017 Classification of Periodontal Diseases-An Exploratory Observational Study.

Periodontitis is a chronic disease with a high overall prevalence. It involves a complex interplay between the immune-inflammatory pathways and biofilm changes, leading to periodontal attachment loss. The aims of this study were (i) to assess whether the salivary IL-1ß, IL-17A, RANK-L and OPG levels have the potential to discriminate between the mild and severe periodontitis conditions; and (ii) to enable diagnostic/prognostic actions to differentiate between distinct levels of the disease. The analysis of the clinical parameters and the evaluation of the salivary immunomediators levels by means of a multiplex flow assay revealed a statistically significantly higher level of IL-1ß in the periodontitis III/IV patients, as well as a higher level of RANK-L in the periodontitis III/IV and I/II patients, when compared to the healthy controls. Furthermore, the grade C periodontitis patients presented a significantly higher level of RANK-L compared to the grade B and grade A patients. In the grade C patients, IL-1ß had a positive correlation with the PPD and CAL indices and RANK_L had a positive correlation with CAL. The evidence emerging from this study associates the salivary IL-1ß and RANK-L levels with an advanced stage of periodontitis, stage III/IV, and with grade C, suggesting the possible cooperative action of both in the inflammatory and bone loss events. In addition to IL-1ß, RANK-L could be considered a combined diagnostic biomarker for periodontitis.

Is Pilates more effective and cost-effective than aerobic exercise in the treatment of patients with fibromyalgia syndrome? A randomized controlled trial with economic evaluation.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of Pilates versus aerobic exercises in the treatment of patients with fibromyalgia syndrome from a societal perspective. METHODS: This two-arm randomized controlled trial with blinded assessor and economic evaluation included 98 patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia syndrome using the American College of Rheumatology 2010 criteria, aged between 20 and 75 years, and pain intensity ≥3 points in the Pain Numerical Rating Scale. Patients were randomly allocated into the aerobic or Pilates group. Treatment was performed twice a week for 8 weeks. The primary outcome was the impact of fibromyalgia measured 8 weeks after randomization. Cost-effectiveness and cost-utility analyses were conducted for the impact of fibromyalgia and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), respectively, with a 12-month time horizon. RESULTS: There was no difference between the groups for the impact of fibromyalgia (MD: 6.5 points; 95% CI: -1.8 to 14.9). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio showed that 1-point increase in the impact of fibromyalgia was on average associated with a societal cost of £56 for the Pilates group compared to the aerobic group. The cost-utility analysis showed that the Pilates group had a 0.71 probability of being cost-effective at a willingness-to-pay of £30,000 per QALY gained. CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference between groups for the impact of fibromyalgia. Pilates was not cost-effective compared to aerobic exercises for the impact of fibromyalgia. However, Pilates seemed to be the preferred option of treatment considering QALYs, although it depends on the willingness-to-pay threshold. SIGNIFICANCE: Pilates showed to be a safe and effective alternative for the treatment of patients with fibromyalgia syndrome. Pilates presented similar results for the impact of fibromyalgia and superior results for pain relief compared to aerobic exercises, a highly recommended intervention for the treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome. Pilates was not cost-effective compared to aerobic exercises for the impact of fibromyalgia. However, Pilates seemed to be a cost-effective intervention for QALYs, depending on the decision-maker's willingness-to-pay threshold.

Do patients with fibromyalgia have body image and tactile acuity distortion?

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were twofold: (1) to compare the body image and tactile acuity of patients with fibromyalgia and asymptomatic participants, and (2) to investigate the effects of an 8-week exercise-based intervention (aerobic or Pilates exercises) on the body image, tactile acuity, and pain intensity in patients with fibromyalgia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study and a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial were carried out, which assessed the following outcomes in 24 patients with fibromyalgia and 24 asymptomatic participants: subjective body image (Drawing Test), tactile acuity (Two-Point Discrimination Test), limb circumference (Cirtometry), and pain (Pain Numerical Rating Scale). After the assessment, the 24 patients with fibromyalgia were randomly allocated to one of the intervention groups: aerobic or Pilates. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the tactile acuity of the cervical, lumbar, hands, and feet regions between the participants with fibromyalgia and the asymptomatic participants (p > 0.05). However, patients with fibromyalgia showed changes in subjective body image when the drawings were compared to the cirtometry measurements. After the intervention, there was no significant difference between aerobic exercise and Pilates for pain and tactile acuity in the cervical, lumbar, hands, and feet regions of patients with fibromyalgia (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with fibromyalgia presented altered perception in subjective body image but not on tactile acuity, when compared to asymptomatic participants. In addition, there was no difference between aerobic exercise and Pilates for pain and tactile acuity in these patients.

Content validity of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health core set for knee dysfunction: a Delphi study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the content validity of the preliminary core set for knee dysfunction based on the opinion of experts. DESIGN: A panel of 180 experts in knee disorders or on the use of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health for musculoskeletal conditions was invited for this Delphi study. The experts gave their opinion on whether to include the categories of the preliminary core set for knee dysfunction in a more comprehensive core set, using a six-item Likert scale. Kappa coefficient was used to analyze the agreement between the experts, and a consensus of 75% among responses was considered acceptable. RESULTS: Nineteen experts participated in all rounds. Of the 24 categories from the preliminary core set for knee dysfunction, 15 remained in the comprehensive core set and one category was further detailed into three new categories. Seven new categories were included. Thus, the comprehensive core set for knee dysfunction was composed of 25 categories with an agreement of 81.5% among responses and a Kappa value of 0.63. CONCLUSION: After validation by experts, the comprehensive core set for knee dysfunction was composed of 25 categories that can be used to assess the functioning of patients with knee dysfunction.

Can psychological factors be associated with the severity of pain and disability in patients with fibromyalgia? A cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Psychological processes can play an important role in the expression and clinical impact of fibromyalgia.Objective: To investigate the association between the severity of pain and disability and psychological factors in patients with fibromyalgia.Methods: The following outcomes were assessed in 104 patients with fibromyalgia: pain intensity, using the Pain Numerical Rating Scale; disability, using the Patient-Specific Functional Scale; depression, using the Beck Depression Scale; anxiety, using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory; kinesiophobia, using the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia; pain catastrophizing, using the Pain Catastrophizing Scale; beliefs and attitudes toward pain, using the Survey of Pain Attitudes; and the occurrence of abuse during some stage of life. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 15. Initially, a simple regression analysis was performed between the dependent variables (pain and disability) and the other variables with a significance level of p ≤ 0.20, and then a multiple regression analysis was performed with a significance level of p ≤ 0.05.Results: Depression was found to be associated with pain severity (ß = 0.07 [95% CI: 0.02 to 0.11], p = .00), and kinesiophobia was found to be associated with disability severity (ß = -0.06 [95% CI: -0.09 to -0.02], p = .00). Depression can explain 10% of the variability of pain intensity, while kinesiophobia can explain 9% of the variability of disability.Conclusion: There are weak associations that are not clinically relevant between depression and pain severity, and between kinesiophobia and disability severity. However, other psychological factors are not associated with the severity of pain or disability.

Author Response to "The Therapeutic Alliance May Yet Prove Effective".

Author response to the JOSPT Letter to the Editor-in-Chief "The Therapeutic Alliance May Yet Prove Effective" J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2021;51(10):527-528. doi:10.2519/jospt.2021.0203-R.

Interpretation of trial-based economic evaluations of musculoskeletal physical therapy interventions.

BACKGROUND: As resources for healthcare are scarce, decision-makers increasingly rely on economic evaluations when making reimbursement decisions about new health technologies, such as drugs, procedures, devices, and equipment. Economic evaluations compare the costs and effects of two or more interventions. Musculoskeletal disorders have a high prevalence and result in high levels of disability and high costs worldwide. Because physical therapy interventions are usually the first line of treatment for musculoskeletal disorders, economic evaluations of such interventions are becoming increasingly important for stakeholders in the field of physical therapy, including physical therapists, decision-makers, and reseachers. However, economic evaluations are relatively difficult to interpret for the majority of stakeholders. OBJECTIVE: To support physical therapists, decision-makers, and researchers in the field of physical therapy interpreting trial-based economic evaluations and translating the results of such studies to clinical practice. METHODS: The design, analysis, and interpretation of economic evaluations performed alongside randomized controlled trials are discussed. To further illustrate and explain these concepts, we use a case study assessing the cost-effectiveness of exercise therapy compared to standard advice in patients with musculoskeletal disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Economic evaluations are increasingly being used in healthcare decision-making. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that their design, conduct, and analysis are state-of-the-art and that their interpretation is adequate. This masterclass will help physical therapists, decision-makers, and researchers in the field of physical therapy to critically appraise the quality and results of trial-based economic evaluations and to apply the results of such studies to their own clinical practice and setting.

Correlation between protein desorption behavior and its adsorption enthalpy change in polymer grafted anion exchange chromatography.

Thermodynamic studies on protein adsorption onto chromatographic surfaces mainly focus on the molecular level interaction between proteins and ligands. Yet, not much attention is given to the study of polymer grafted ligand architecture effect on thermodynamic parameters, nor to the relation between chromatographic parameters and the directly obtained thermodynamic parameters. These relations are needed in order to confer meaning and to ease future data interpretation of thermodynamic studies of protein adsorption. In this study, the adsorption of bovine serum albumin monomer (BSAm) onto chromatographic surfaces with grafted ligands was studied from a thermodynamic point of view together with chromatographic data. Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) results showed that BSAm adsorption is exothermic (ΔH¯ads < 0) when adsorbs onto Toyopearl GigaCapQ 650 M, Toyopearl Q600AR, and Q Sepharose XL, but endothermic (ΔH¯ads > 0) when adsorbs onto Toyopearl SuperQ and a conventional resin (Q Sepharose Fast Flow), showing clear differences in the driving forces of adsorption caused by different ligand architectures. In addition, we found a new relation between the salt required for protein elution and the change in adsorption enthalpy (ΔH¯ads) directly measured with ITC, intrinsically connecting both adsorption and desorption mechanisms.

Education With Therapeutic Alliance Did Not Improve Symptoms in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain and Low Risk of Poor Prognosis Compared to Education Without Therapeutic Alliance: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the effectiveness of an education intervention with or without the addition of the therapeutic alliance to no education intervention in patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain (LBP) and low risk of poor prognosis. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. Randomization was performed using randomly generated numbers. METHODS: Two hundred twenty-two patients with nonspecific chronic LBP and low risk of poor prognosis from 2 university physical therapy services in Taubaté, Brazil were randomized into 3 groups: education plus therapeutic alliance, education only, and no education. Primary outcomes were pain (measured with the numeric pain-rating scale) and patient-specific disability (measured with the Patient-Specific Functional Scale), assessed 1 month after randomization. The patients, therapists, and assessors were not blinded due to the nature of the intervention and self-reported outcomes. RESULTS: Patients were recruited between November 2015 and February 2017. There was a loss of 17 (7.6%) follow-up assessments at 1 month, 28 (12.6%) at 6 months, and 31 (13.9%) at 12 months after randomization, and intention-to-treat analyses were conducted. There were no significant differences in pain between groups. However, there was a significant improvement in patient-specific disability for the education-plus-therapeutic alliance and education-only groups compared to no education after 1 month (mean difference, -1.41; 95% confidence interval: -2.31, -0.51 and -0.95; 95% confidence interval: -1.85, -0.04, respectively). CONCLUSION: An education intervention did not provide clinically relevant improvements in patient-specific disability and did not influence pain in patients with nonspecific chronic LBP and low risk of poor prognosis. Additionally, there was no difference between interventions with or without emphasis on the therapeutic alliance. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2021;51(8):392-400. Epub 7 May 2021. doi:10.2519/jospt.2021.9636.

Comparison between different health state utility instruments in patients with fibromyalgia.

BACKGROUND: Cost-utility analysis uses utility indexes to assess treatment effects. Some discrepancies between different utility indexes instruments are suggested and need to be identified in health conditions not yet investigated. OBJECTIVE: To compare different utility indexes instruments in Brazilian patients with fibromyalgia and identify variables associated with these instruments. METHODS: Impact of fibromyalgia (Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire [FIQ]) and utility indexes (Short-Form 6 Dimensions [SF-6D], EuroQol 5 Dimensions [EQ-5D], and EuroQol - Visual Analogue Scale [EQ-VAS]) were assessed in 97 patients with fibromyalgia at baseline, 8-week (after an exercise-based intervention), and 6- and 12-month follow-up. Construct validity and responsiveness of the utility indexes instruments were compared. Multiple regression models were used to verify the variables associated with the utility indexes instruments. RESULTS: Construct validity analysis showed that FIQ presented moderate correlation with the SF-6D, the EQ-5D, and the EQ-VAS (r=-0.43, -0.41, -0.30, respectively, all p < .01). There was a moderate correlation between the SF-6D and the EQ-5D (r = 0.51, p < .001), moderate correlation between the SF-6D and the EQ-VAS (r = 0.41, p < .001), and no correlation between the EQ-VAS and the EQ-5D. The EQ-5D was responsive at the 8-week and 6-month follow-up, the SF-6D was responsive only at 6-month follow-up and the EQ-VAS was not responsive. The FIQ was associated with the EQ-5D and the SF-6D indexes, and symptom duration and depression with the EQ-VAS index. CONCLUSION: The EQ-5D better assessed the clinical change in patients with fibromyalgia. Furthermore, impact of fibromyalgia, symptom duration, and depression seem to be associated with the utility indexes.

Economic evaluations of educational, physical, and psychological treatments for fibromyalgia: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT: Nonpharmacological interventions are recommended for the treatment of fibromyalgia, but there is a lack of knowledge about the cost-effectiveness of these interventions. The aim of this study was to systematically review economic evaluations of educational, physical, and psychological interventions for the treatment of fibromyalgia. The search was performed in PUBMED, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, PsycINFO, EconLit, National Health Service Economic Evaluation Database, and Health Technology Assessment. Economic evaluations of educational, physical, and psychological interventions for adult patients with fibromyalgia were included. Primary outcomes were healthcare and societal costs, and quality-adjusted life-years, and secondary outcomes were any disease-specific clinical outcome. Costs and effects were pooled in a meta-analysis, when possible. Eleven studies were included, of which 7 compared a psychological intervention with another intervention or usual care/control. Over a 6-month time horizon, healthcare and societal costs of the psychological intervention were significantly lower than usual care (mean difference: $-2087, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -3061 to -1112; mean difference: $-2411, 95% CI: -3582 to -1240, respectively), and healthcare costs were significantly lower for the psychological intervention compared with a pharmacological intervention (mean difference: $-1443, 95% CI: -2165 to -721). Over a 12-month time horizon, healthcare costs for the psychological intervention were significantly lower than for usual care (mean difference: $-538, 95% CI: -917 to -158). Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios for quality-adjusted life-years and impact of fibromyalgia showed that the psychological intervention was cost-effective compared with other interventions and control conditions. There is a need of more economic evaluations conducted alongside randomized controlled trials with interventions recommended for the treatment of fibromyalgia, such as physical exercise.

Prescription of exercises for the treatment of chronic pain along the continuum of nociplastic pain: A systematic review with meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To compare different exercise prescriptions for patients with chronic pain along the continuum of nociplastic pain: fibromyalgia, chronic whiplash-associated disorders (CWAD), and chronic idiopathic neck pain (CINP). DATABASES AND DATA TREATMENT: Randomized controlled trials comparing different exercise parameters were included. The search was performed in the databases Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and PEDro. Data on the parameters for the physical exercise programs for pain management were extracted for analysis. RESULTS: Fifty studies with 3,562 participants were included. For fibromyalgia, both aerobic strengthening exercises were similar and better than stretching exercises alone. Exercises could be performed in 50- to 60-min supervised sessions, 2 to 3 times a week, for 13 weeks or more. For CWAD, body awareness exercises were similar to combined exercises, and there was no difference in adding sling exercises to a strengthening exercise program. The exercises could be performed in 90-min supervised sessions, twice a week, for 10 to 16 weeks. For CINP, motor control exercises and nonspecific muscle strengthening had a similar effect. Exercises could be performed in 30- to 60-min supervised sessions, 2 to 3 times a week, for 7 to 12 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: The choice of parameters regarding exercises should emphasize global exercises in nociplastic pain conditions (such as fibromyalgia and CWAD) and specific exercises in non-nociplastic pain conditions (such as CINP) and be based on patient's preference and therapist's skills. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42019123271. SIGNIFICANCE: The pain mechanism must be considered to optimize exercise prescription in patients with different chronic pain profiles. The main message of this article is that low to moderate intensity global exercises performed for a long period of treatment should be performed in patients with nociplastic pain predominance. Additionally, focused and intense exercises for a short period of treatment can be prescribed for patients with nociceptive pain predominance.

Analysis of the measurement properties of the Brazilian-Portuguese version of the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia-11 in patients with fibromyalgia.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the measurement properties of the Brazilian-Portuguese version of the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia-11 in patients with fibromyalgia. METHODS: Assessment was made at three time points: baseline (n=130) and 15 days (n=54) and eight weeks after baseline (n=51). Data collected at baseline were used to assess internal consistency, criterion and construct validity, and ceiling and floor effects. Data collected at baseline and 15 days after baseline were used to assess reliability and measurement error, and data collected before and after an eight-week exercise-based physical therapy intervention were used to assess interpretability of change scores. RESULTS: The Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia-11 showed adequate internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha=0.77; alpha if item deleted: 0.74-0.77), substantial reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient2,1=0.85; 95% confidence interval: 0.75, 0.90), good measurement error (standard error of measurement: 2.65 points), and a minimal detectable change (90% confidence) of 6.16 points. For validity, the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia-11 showed a positive and good correlation with the original Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (r=0.84, p<0.01), positive and moderate correlation with the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (r=0.55, p<0.01), positive and weak correlation with the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (r=0.25, p<0.01), positive and moderate correlation with the Beck Depression Inventory (r=0.39, p<0.01), and no correlation with the Patient-Specific Functional Scale (r=0.11, p=0.23). Kinesiophobia, pain, function, catastrophizing, and depression statistically improved after the eight-week intervention (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: The Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia-11 is consistent, reliable, and appropriate to assess fear of movement in patients with fibromyalgia in the clinical context. Responsiveness of the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia-11 should be tested in future studies.

Development of a Core Set for Knee Dysfunction Based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health: A Cross-sectional Study.

OBJECTIVE: To develop an International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health core set for patients with knee dysfunction. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: The study was conducted at all levels of care (general community, primary care units, rehabilitation clinics/centers, hospital). PARTICIPANTS: Participants (N=388) with knee dysfunction with or without clinical diagnosis of knee pathology, with or without complaint of pain, with or without instability, and/or with or without knee movement restriction of any type. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Participants were assessed using the core sets for acute and postacute musculoskeletal conditions, the subjective form from the International Knee Documentation Committee scale, the self-report of general health and functionality, and the general health and functionality classified by the researcher. To identify the categories that best explain knee dysfunction, linear regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: Twenty-four categories were identified from the 75 core set categories for acute and postacute musculoskeletal conditions. Eleven categories belong to the component body functions, 3 represent body structures, 7 represent activities and participation, and 3 represent environmental factors. CONCLUSIONS: A core set for knee dysfunction that can be used at all levels of health care was proposed, which offers a system for disability assessment related to knee dysfunction, including environmental and social factors. These factors are important for a broad assessment because they include the multiple aspects of functionality, usually not considered in other knee dysfunction assessment instruments. Further analysis of the content and construct validity of the core set is required.

Discriminative and Predictive Analysis of the Brazilian Version of the Örebro Musculoskeletal Pain Screening Questionnaire (ÖMPSQ) Short-Form in Patients With Low Back Pain.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the discriminative and predictive validity of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Örebro Musculoskeletal Pain Screening Questionnaire Short-Form (ÖMPSQ-Short). Methods: In this prospective longitudinal cohort study, the ÖMPSQ-Short was administered to 150 patients with acute, subacute, and chronic nonspecific low back pain. A 6-month follow-up was also completed to assess the predictive ability of the questionnaire for risk of pain, disability, and absence from work. The Roland-Morris disability questionnaire, pain numerical rating scale, and additional questions related to work and absence from work were also used. Results: The ÖMPSQ-Short cutoff point was determined by analyzing the receiver operating characteristic curve, sensitivity, and specificity, which yielded a value of 44 points for the Brazilian population. Analysis of the 2 × 2 contingency tables showed that the ÖMPSQ-Short correctly classified high-risk patients with pain. Predictive capacity was assessed by univariate linear regression analysis. The ÖMPSQ-Short was able to predict pain, disability, and absence from work in patients with acute pain and disability in patients with subacute pain, and disability and absence from work in patients with chronic pain, but with a small predictive capacity. Conclusion: The ÖMPSQ-Short cutoff demonstrated the ability to classify patients with low and high risk of involvement of psychosocial factors. However, due to its small predictive capacity, we suggest that the ÖMPSQ-Short should not be used to predict pain, disability, and absence from work over 6 months. However, we recommend using it as a guide to discuss the patient's clinical condition.