Behavioral treatment for chronic low back pain: a systematic review within the framework of the Cochrane Back Review Group.

Study Design: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

Summary Of Background Data: The treatment of chronic low back pain is not primarily focused on removing an underlying organic disease but at the reduction of disability through the modification of environmental contingencies and cognitive processes. Behavioral interventions are commonly used in the treatment of chronic (disabling) low back pain.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for low back pain: a systematic review within the framework of the Cochrane Collaboration Back Review Group.

Study Design: A systematic review of randomized and double-blind controlled trials was performed.

Summary Of Background Data: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the most frequently prescribed medications worldwide and are widely used for patients with low back pain.

Objectives: To assess the effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the treatment of nonspecific low back pain with or without radiation, and to assess which type of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug is most effective.

Systematic review of the cost effectiveness of prophylactic treatments in the prevention of gastropathy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

A systematic review on the cost effectiveness of prophylactic treatments of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) induced gastropathy in patients with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis was conducted. Two reviewers conducted the literature search and the review. Both full and partial economic evaluations published in English, Dutch, or German were included.

[Chronic low back pain: exercise therapy, multidisciplinary programs, NSAID's, back schools and behavioral therapy effective; traction not effective; results of systematic reviews].

Objective: To inventory the current state of the art regarding the effectiveness of conservative treatment of chronic low back pain.

Design: Systematic reviews.

Method: The relevant literature from the period January 1966-September 1999 was retrieved via Medline, Embase, PsychLit and the Cochrane Library and via reference lists in the articles found.

[Acute low back pain: activity, NSAID's and muscle relaxants effective; bedrest and targeted exercise not effective; results of systematic reviews].

Objective: To inventory the current state of the art regarding the effectiveness of conservative treatment of acute low back pain.

Design: Systematic reviews.

Method: The relevant literature from the period January 1966-September 1999 was retrieved via Medline, Embase, Psychlit and the Cochrane Library and via reference lists in the articles found.

Biopsychosocial rehabilitation for upper limb repetitive strain injuries in working age adults.

Background: Upper limb repetitive strain injury is a common problem in western countries, causing human suffering and huge economical losses. Patients with prolonged pain associated with repetitive tasks in the work place can face both psychological and physical difficulties. Different treatment programmes, physical, psychological, behavioural, social and occupational treatments have been developed and used to help these patients.

Multidisciplinary biopsychosocial rehabilitation for neck and shoulder pain among working age adults.

Background: Multidisciplinary biopsychosocial rehabilitation programs for neck and shoulder pain require substantial staff and financial resources. Despite questionable scientific evidence of their effectiveness, they are widely used. Neck and shoulder complaints are common among working age adults and they are often associated with physical work load and stress.

Multidisciplinary biopsychosocial rehabilitation for subacute low back pain among working age adults.

Background: Multidisciplinary biopsychosocial rehabilitation programs are widely applied for chronic low back pain patients. The biopsychosocial approach for low back pain could also be considered to prevent chronicity by carrying out the rehabilitation if the acute pain is prolonged. Nevertheless multidisciplinary treatment programmes are often laborious and long processes and require good collaboration between the patient, the rehabilitation team and the work place.

Lumbar supports for prevention and treatment of low back pain.

Background: Lumbar supports are used in the treatment of low back pain patients to make the impairment and disability vanish or decrease. Lumbar supports are also used to prevent the onset of low back pain (primary prevention) or to prevent recurrences of a low back pain episode (secondary prevention).

Objectives: The objective of this systematic review was to assess the effects of lumbar supports for prevention and treatment of non-specific low back pain.

Behavioural treatment for chronic low back pain.

Background: The treatment of chronic low back pain is not primarily focused on removing an underlying organic pathology, but at the reduction of disability through the modification of environmental contingencies and cognitive processes. Behavioural interventions are commonly used in the treatment of chronic (disabling) low back pain.

Objectives: The objective of this systematic review was to determine if behavioural therapy is more effective than reference treatments for chronic non-specific low back pain, and which type of behavioural treatment is most effective.

Multidisciplinary rehabilitation for fibromyalgia and musculoskeletal pain in working age adults.

Background: Non-malignant musculoskeletal pain is an increasing problem in western countries. Fibromyalgia syndrome is an increasing recognised chronic musculoskeletal disorder.

Objectives: The objective of this systematic review was to determine the effectiveness of multidisciplinary rehabilitation for fibromyalgia and widespread musculoskeletal pain among working age adults.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for low back pain.

Background: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most frequently prescribed medications worldwide and are widely used for patients with low back pain.

Objectives: The objective of this systematic review was to assess the effects of NSAIDs in the treatment of non-specific low back pain and to assess which type of NSAID is most effective.

Search Strategy: We searched the Medline and Embase databases and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (CCTR) up to and including September 1998 if reported in English, Dutch or German.

Exercise therapy for low back pain.

Background: Exercise therapy is a widely used treatment for low back pain.

Objectives: The objective of this review was to assess the effectiveness of exercise therapy for low back pain with regard to pain intensity, functional status, overall improvement and return to work.

Search Strategy: We searched the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (1999, issue 1), MEDLINE (1966 - April 1999), EMBASE (1988 - September 1998), PsycLIT (from 1984 to April 1999) and reference lists of articles.

Back schools for non-specific low back pain.

Background: Since the introduction of the Swedish back school in 1980, the content of back schools has changed and appears to vary widely today. Back schools are frequently used in the treatment of low back pain patients.

Objectives: The objective of this systematic review was to assess the effects of back schools for patients with non-specific low back pain.

How to perform a comprehensive search for FDG-PET literature.

In this study, a comprehensive, unbiassed search strategy for identifying literature on fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) in Medline, Embase and Current Contents was developed, with specific search strategies for each database, using MeSH terms as well as free text words for PET and FDG. To examine which text words apply to FDG, we evaluated the ways of spelling FDG in a random sample of FDG-PET articles (n = 100). These words were used as free text words in the two databases and overlap was determined.

The effectiveness of acupuncture in the management of acute and chronic low back pain. A systematic review within the framework of the Cochrane Collaboration Back Review Group.

Study Design: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and effectiveness of acupuncture for the management of nonspecific low back pain.

Summary Of Background Data: Acupuncture is one of the oldest forms of therapy, but little is known about the effectiveness of acupuncture for low back pain.

[The practice of systematic reviews. II. Searching and selection of studies].

Structured searching and selection of studies is an important component of a systematic review. It is recommended to record the various steps in a protocol in advance. The thoroughness of the searching and selection will partially depend on the available resources, like manpower and funds.

Indirect costs of back pain in the Netherlands: a comparison of the human capital method with the friction cost method.

In this study we estimated the indirect costs of back pain in 1991 in The Netherlands on the basis of two approaches: the traditionally used human capital method and the more recently developed friction cost method. The indirect costs of illness were defined as the value of production losses of paid labour and related costs to society due to back pain. The results of this study in 1991 in The Netherlands show that the short-term indirect costs estimated by the human capital method were more than three times as high as the indirect costs estimated by the friction cost method (US$ 4.

Methodologic issues in low back pain research in primary care.

Study Design: Narrative review and discussion of the selected literature.

Objectives: To discuss some important methodologic challenges in low back pain research in primary care.

Summary Of Background Data: Many methodologic problems must be confronted when conducting low back pain research.

Chronic low back pain in primary care: a prospective study on the management and course.

Background: There is little evidence about the management and course of chronic low back pain in primary care.

Objectives: Our aim was to describe the course of chronic low back pain and the performed diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for patients with chronic low back pain in general practice.

Methods: Twenty-six GPs involved in the Registration Network Family Practices participated in this prospective follow-up study.

Conservative treatment of acute and chronic nonspecific low back pain. A systematic review of randomized controlled trials of the most common interventions.

Study Design: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of the most common conservative types of treatment for patients with acute and chronic nonspecific low back pain.

Summary Of Background Data: Many treatment options for acute and chronic low back pain are available, but little is known about the optimal treatment strategy.