Comparison Between Disability, Physical Performance, and Other Biopsychosocial Factors in Full-Duty Career Firefighters Working With and Without Current Low Back Pain.

Introduction: Low back pain (LBP) is highly prevalent and a top cause of disability-related early retirement in firefighters. Those with a lifetime history of LBP have various deficiencies that are associated with increased injury risk and absenteeism. However, the influence of working with current LBP on disability, physical performance, and other biopsychosocial factors has not been fully characterized in this population.

Work-readiness self report lift capacity test short form.

Background: The Multidimensional Task Ability Profile (MTAP) is a measure of self reported physical work capacity developed for injured workers with musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) to determine readiness to return to work.

Objective: This study compared the concurrent validity of a new short form MTAP (MTAP-SF) comprised of 16 lifting and/or carrying items with the MTAP 55-item version. The hypothesis addressed is whether the validity of a version that imposes less respondent burden (MTAP-SF) would be comparable to the more burdensome instrument (MTAP-55).

Electromyographic Analysis of the Lumbar Extensor Muscles during Dynamic Exercise on a Home Exercise Device.

Resistance exercise with devices offering mechanisms to isolate the lumbar spine is effective to improve muscle strength and clinical outcomes. However, previously assessed devices with these mechanisms are not conducive for home exercise programs. The purpose of this study was to assess the surface electromyographic (EMG) activity of the lumbar extensor muscles during dynamic exercise on a home back extension exercise device.

Development and validation of a method to screen for co-morbid depression by non-behavioral health practitioners treating musculoskeletal pain.

Background: Although diagnosis and treatment of depressive illness is outside the scope of practice for non-behavioral health practitioners such as occupational therapists, physical therapists, kinesiotherapists, and chiropractors, it frequently is comorbid with painful musculoskeletal disorders such as low back pain and it negatively affects outcomes, including return to work. As psychologically-informed practice becomes more widely implemented without the immediate availability of behavioral health practitioners, safe and effective methods to screen for and appropriately triage depressive illness by nonbehavioral health practitioners are necessary.

Objectives: To demonstrate the efficacy and validity of a method employed by non-behavioral health practitioners to screen for and appropriately triage musculoskeletal pain patients who also are experiencing depressive illness.

Validity of the Multidimensional Task Ability Profile.

Background The Multidimensional Task Ability Profile (MTAP) is a patient-reported outcome (PRO) measure that provides a global score linked to the physical demand characteristics of work, but needs to be validated against established measures. Purpose To assess the concurrent validity of the MTAP compared with the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Neck Disability Index (NDI), Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH), Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), and Short Form 12 Health-Related Quality of Life (SF-12) questionnaires. Methods An observational study was conducted in 157 patients undergoing musculoskeletal rehabilitation.