Clinical prediction model for interdisciplinary biopsychosocial rehabilitation in osteoarthritis patients.

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a heterogenous condition, in which different subgroups are present. Individualized interdisciplinary multimodal pain treatments (IMPT) based on the biopsychosocial model have resulted in positive improvement of pain, health and disability in OA patients. Moreover, predictive factors for treatment success of IMPT in different musculoskeletal pain populations have been examined, but a clinical prediction model which informs whether an OA patient is expected to benefit or not from IMPT is currently lacking.

Exposure Induced Changes in Neural Circuitry for Pain-Related Fear: A Longitudinal fMRI Study in Chronic Low Back Pain.

Exposure (EXP) is a cognitive-behavioral treatment aimed at reducing pain-related fear in chronic pain, and has proven successful in reducing pain-related disability in patients with chronic low back pain (cLBP). The current longitudinal study aimed to reveal the neural correlates of changes in pain-related fear as a result of EXP. Twenty-three patients with cLBP were included in this study.

How much of the effect of exercise and advice for subacute low back pain is mediated by depressive symptoms?

Background: Exercise and advice can reduce pain and disability in patients with subacute low back pain. However, the mechanisms by which this combined intervention works are unclear. Our objective was to estimate how much of the effect of a physiotherapist-directed exercise and advice intervention on pain and disability is mediated via changes in depressive symptoms.

Motor imagery performance and tactile acuity in patients with complaints of arms, neck and shoulder.

Aim: This study aims to gain more knowledge of the sensorimotor incongruence in patients with chronic nonspecific complaints of arm, neck and shoulder.

Method: Seven patients and seven healthy controls performed a left/right judgment task, and tactile acuity was assessed by the two-point discrimination threshold at fingers and shoulders.

Results & Conclusion: The results suggest a decreased tactile acuity in patients with chronic nonspecific complaints of arm, neck and shoulder and a faster reaction time at the painful arm, which might imply disturbed information processing of sensory and motor feedback.

What low back pain is and why we need to pay attention.

Low back pain is a very common symptom. It occurs in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries and all age groups from children to the elderly population. Globally, years lived with disability caused by low back pain increased by 54% between 1990 and 2015, mainly because of population increase and ageing, with the biggest increase seen in low-income and middle-income countries.

Daily actions, challenges, and needs among Dutch parents while supporting the participation of their child with a physical disability at home, at school, and in the community: a qualitative diary study.

Background: Parents have a vital influence on the participation of their child with a physical disability. The aim of this study is to gain insight into parents' own daily actions, challenges, and needs while supporting their child with a physical disability at home, at school, and in the community. An additional objective of this study is to refine the preliminary thematic framework previously identified in a scoping review.

The Musician as (In)Active Athlete?: Exploring the Association Between Physical Activity and Musculoskeletal Complaints in Music Students.

Objective: Musicians are often compared to athletes because of the physical exertion required to play music. The aim of this study was to explore the physical activity level of music students and to study its relationship with musculoskeletal complaints. A second goal was to assess associations between physical activity and pain, quality of life, and disability.

Problems in Functioning in Patients with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain Admitted for Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation.

Background: Little is known about the extent to which improvements in various problem areas are attained after multidisciplinary rehabilitation program in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP).

Aim: To describe the pre- and postcontents of problems in functioning from the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) in terms of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) in CMP patients following a 15-week rehabilitation program.

Methods: In all patients admitted to a rehabilitation program, the COPM was administered at admission and discharge.

Reference Values of the Pain Disability Index in Patients With Painful Musculoskeletal and Spinal Disorders: A Cross-national Study.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Objective: To examine reference data for the Pain Disability Index (PDI) in Dutch and Canadian patient samples with a variety of musculoskeletal pain disorders and to test which potential factors are independently associated with the PDI score.

Summary Of Background Data: The PDI is a widely used generic instrument for measuring disability related to pain.

A biopsychosocial primary care intervention (Back on Track) versus primary care as usual in a subgroup of people with chronic low back pain: protocol for a randomised, controlled trial.

Introduction: Multidisciplinary biopsychosocial interventions are effective at improving functional disability in people with chronic low back pain. However, these interventions are often expensive and have long waiting times before treatment starts. Therefore, implementing biopsychosocial interventions in primary care settings may be of interest.

Recognizing complex upper extremity activities using body worn sensors.

To evaluate arm-hand therapies for neurological patients it is important to be able to assess actual arm-hand performance objectively. Because instruments that measure the actual quality and quantity of specific activities in daily life are lacking, a new measure needs to be developed. The aims of this study are to a) elucidate the techniques used to identify upper extremity activities, b) provide a proof-of-principle of this method using a set of activities tested in a healthy adult and in a stroke patient, and c) provide an example of the method's applicability in daily life based on readings taken from a healthy adult.

To What Extent Can Arm-Hand Skill Performance--of Both Healthy Adults and Children-Be Recorded Reliably Using Multiple Bodily Worn Sensor Devices?

Neurological patients often encounter arm-hand problems in daily life. Bodily worn sensors may be used to assess actual performance by quantifying specific movement patterns associated with specific activities. However, signal reliability during activities of daily living should be determined first.

PREvention STudy On preventing or reducing disability from musculoskeletal complaints in music school students (PRESTO): protocol of a randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: Up to 87% of professional musicians develop work-related complaints of the musculoskeletal system during their careers. Music school students are at specific risk for developing musculoskeletal complaints and disabilities. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a biopsychosocial prevention program to prevent or reduce disabilities from playing-related musculoskeletal disorders.

The PACT trial: PAtient Centered Telerehabilitation: effectiveness of software-supported and traditional mirror therapy in patients with phantom limb pain following lower limb amputation: protocol of a multicentre randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: Non-pharmacological interventions such as mirror therapy are gaining increased recognition in the treatment of phantom limb pain; however, the evidence in people with phantom limb pain is still weak. In addition, compliance to self-delivered exercises is generally low. The aim of this randomised controlled study is to investigate the effectiveness of mirror therapy supported by telerehabilitation on the intensity, duration and frequency of phantom limb pain and limitations in daily activities compared to traditional mirror therapy and care as usual in people following lower limb amputation.

Energy Expenditure during Functional Daily Life Performances in Patients with Fibromyalgia.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate whether patients with fibromyalgia FM need more oxygen and more time to complete a walking and stair-climbing task than healthy volunteers and perceive the performance of these tasks as more strenuous. Furthermore, it was evaluated whether a less efficient performance is more pronounced in patients reporting a higher level of fear of movement.

Methods: Thirty patients with FM and 30 matched healthy volunteers completed a 500-meter walking and a stair-climbing task (60 steps) while wearing a mobile gas analyzing unit.

Is There a Need for Including Spiritual Care in Interdisciplinary Rehabilitation of Chronic Pain Patients? Investigating an Innovative Strategy.

Objective: Chronic noncancer pain influences patient's quality of life and their ability to cope. Pain relieving medication and other specific treatments commonly integrated in biopsychosocial rehabilitation demonstrate modest benefits in pain relief and improved functioning of individuals. Spiritual care, covering the fourth dimension provides insight, inspires hope and purpose, and is thought to mediate mental and physical health for patients.

Multidisciplinary biopsychosocial rehabilitation for chronic low back pain.

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is responsible for considerable personal suffering worldwide. Those with persistent disabling symptoms also contribute to substantial costs to society via healthcare expenditure and reduced work productivity. While there are many treatment options, none are universally endorsed.

Accelerometry measuring the outcome of robot-supported upper limb training in chronic stroke: a randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: This study aims to assess the extent to which accelerometers can be used to determine the effect of robot-supported task-oriented arm-hand training, relative to task-oriented arm-hand training alone, on the actual amount of arm-hand use of chronic stroke patients in their home situation.

Methods: This single-blind randomized controlled trial included 16 chronic stroke patients, randomly allocated using blocked randomization (n = 2) to receive task-oriented robot-supported arm-hand training or task-oriented (unsupported) arm-hand training. Training lasted 8 weeks, 4 times/week, 2 × 30 min/day using the (T-)TOAT ((Technology-supported)-Task-Oriented-Arm-Training) method.

Interaction between pain, movement, and physical activity: short-term benefits, long-term consequences, and targets for treatment.

Movement is changed in pain. This presents across a spectrum from subtle changes in the manner in which a task is completed to complete avoidance of a function and could be both a cause and effect of pain/nociceptive input and/or injury. Movement, in a variety of forms, is also recommended as a component of treatment to aid the recovery in many pain syndromes.

Effects of task-oriented robot training on arm function, activity, and quality of life in chronic stroke patients: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Over fifty percent of stroke patients experience chronic arm hand performance problems, compromising independence in daily life activities and quality of life. Task-oriented training may improve arm hand performance after stroke, whereby augmented therapy may lead to a better treatment outcome. Technology-supported training holds opportunities for increasing training intensity.

Arm hand skilled performance in cerebral palsy: activity preferences and their movement components.

Background: Assessment of arm-hand use is very important in children with cerebral palsy (CP) who encounter arm-hand problems. To determine validity and reliability of new instruments to assess actual performance, a set of standardized test situations including activities of daily living (ADL) is required. This study gives information with which such a set for upper extremity skill research may be fine-tuned, relative to a specific research question.

Can we "predict" long-term outcome for ambulatory transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in patients with chronic pain?

Background: Evidence for effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is still inconclusive. As heterogeneity of chronic pain patients might be an important factor for this lack of efficacy, identifying factors for a successful long-term outcome is of great importance.

Methods: A prospective study was performed to identify variables with potential predictive value for 2 outcome measures on long term (6 months); (1) continuation of TENS, and (2) a minimally clinical important pain reduction of ≥ 33%.