Has the COVID 19 Pandemic Impacted the Management of Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain?

Purpose Of Review: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the management of chronic musculoskeletal pain; however, the extent of its impact has not been established. We conducted a comprehensive review of the pandemic's impact on clinical outcomes and healthcare accessibility for osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), fibromyalgia (FM), lower back pain (LBP), and other musculoskeletal disorders and chronic pain syndromes to better inform clinical decision-making.

Recent Findings: We examined 30 studies (n = 18,810) from 36 countries investigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on chronic musculoskeletal pain outcomes.

Effective recruitment strategies in an exercise trial for patients with fibromyalgia.

Background: Recruitment of fibromyalgia populations into long-term clinical trials involving exercise interventions is a challenge. We evaluated the cost and randomization yields of various recruitment methods used for a fibromyalgia trial in an urban setting. We also investigated differences in participant characteristics and exercise intervention adherence based on recruitment source.

Altered functional connectivity between hypothalamus and limbic system in fibromyalgia.

The hypothalamus links the nervous system to the endocrine system and plays a crucial role in maintaining the human body's homeostasis. This study aims to investigate the resting state functional connectivity (rsFC) changes of the hypothalamus in fibromyalgia patients. 24 Fibromyalgia patients and 24 matched healthy controls (HCs) were recruited.

Acupuncture and Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain.

Purpose Of Review: Chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP) attributable to conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and chronic low back pain is the most common cause of disability globally, for which no effective remedy exists. Although acupuncture is one of the most popular sensory stimulation therapies and is widely used in numerous pain conditions, its efficacy remains controversial. This review summarizes and expands upon the current research on the therapeutic properties of acupuncture for patients with CMP to better inform clinical decision-making and develop patient-focused treatments.

Mindfulness is associated with psychological health and moderates the impact of fibromyalgia.

Objective: Previous studies suggest mindfulness is associated with pain and depression. However, its impact in individuals with fibromyalgia remains unclear. We examined associations between mindfulness and physical and psychological symptoms, pain interference, and quality of life in fibromyalgia patients.

The role of personality in patients with fibromyalgia.

Previous studies suggest personality, the multifaceted characteristics underlying a person's affect, cognition, and behavior, may influence fibromyalgia. We examined associations among personality, fibromyalgia impact, and health-related outcomes in patients with fibromyalgia. We further tested whether anxiety and depression mediated the effect of personality on fibromyalgia impact.

Artemisinins-a Promising New Treatment for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: a Descriptive Review.

Purpose Of Review: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex, potentially fatal autoimmune disease with no complete cure. Current treatments for SLE are limited by suboptimal efficacy and increased risk of infections and malignancies, and cannot meet the clinical demands of patients with SLE. Artemisinin and its derivatives (artemisinins), a new class of anti-malarial drugs, have recently been reported to have an immunosuppressive effect on lupus patients.

Altered resting state functional connectivity of the cognitive control network in fibromyalgia and the modulation effect of mind-body intervention.

This study examines altered resting state functional connectivity (rsFC) of the cognitive control network (CCN) in fibromyalgia patients as compared to healthy controls, as well as how an effective mind-body intervention, Tai Chi, can modulate the altered rsFC of the CCN. Patients with fibromyalgia and matched healthy subjects were recruited in this study. Fibromyalgia patients were scanned 12 weeks before and after intervention.

Effect of tai chi versus aerobic exercise for fibromyalgia: comparative effectiveness randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: To determine the effectiveness of tai chi interventions compared with aerobic exercise, a current core standard treatment in patients with fibromyalgia, and to test whether the effectiveness of tai chi depends on its dosage or duration.

Design: Prospective, randomized, 52 week, single blind comparative effectiveness trial.

Setting: Urban tertiary care academic hospital in the United States between March 2012 and September 2016.

Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) instruments among individuals with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis: a cross-sectional study of floor/ceiling effects and construct validity.

Background: The psychometric properties of Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) instruments have been explored in a number of general and clinical samples. No study, however, has evaluated the psychometric function of these measures in individuals with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (KOA). The aim of this project was to evaluate the construct (structural) validity and floor/ceiling effects of four PROMIS measures in this population.

A novel comparative effectiveness study of Tai Chi versus aerobic exercise for fibromyalgia: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Fibromyalgia is a chronic musculoskeletal pain syndrome that causes substantial physical and psychological impairment and costs the US healthcare system over $25 billion annually. Current pharmacological therapies may cause serious adverse effects, are expensive, and fail to effectively improve pain and function. Finding new and effective non-pharmacological treatments for fibromyalgia patients is urgently needed.

Assessing the comparative effectiveness of Tai Chi versus physical therapy for knee osteoarthritis: design and rationale for a randomized trial.

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) causes pain and long-term disability with annual healthcare costs exceeding $185 billion in the United States. Few medical remedies effectively influence the course of the disease. Finding effective treatments to maintain function and quality of life in patients with knee OA is one of the national priorities identified by the Institute of Medicine.

Role of Tai Chi in the treatment of rheumatologic diseases.

Rheumatologic diseases (e.g., fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis) consist of a complex interplay between biologic and psychological aspects, resulting in therapeutically challenging chronic conditions to control.

Tai chi and rheumatic diseases.

Tai chi is a complex multicomponent mind-body exercise. Many studies have provided evidence that tai chi benefits patients with a variety of chronic disorders. This form of mind-body exercise enhances cardiovascular fitness, muscular strength, balance, and physical function and seems to be associated with reduced stress, anxiety, and depression and improved quality of life.

A randomized trial of tai chi for fibromyalgia.

Background: Previous research has suggested that tai chi offers a therapeutic benefit in patients with fibromyalgia.

Methods: We conducted a single-blind, randomized trial of classic Yang-style tai chi as compared with a control intervention consisting of wellness education and stretching for the treatment of fibromyalgia (defined by American College of Rheumatology 1990 criteria). Sessions lasted 60 minutes each and took place twice a week for 12 weeks for each of the study groups.

Tai Chi on psychological well-being: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Physical activity and exercise appear to improve psychological health. However, the quantitative effects of Tai Chi on psychological well-being have rarely been examined. We systematically reviewed the effects of Tai Chi on stress, anxiety, depression and mood disturbance in eastern and western populations.

Tai Chi is effective in treating knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of Tai Chi in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (OA) symptoms.

Methods: We conducted a prospective, single-blind, randomized controlled trial of 40 individuals with symptomatic tibiofemoral OA. Patients were randomly assigned to 60 minutes of Tai Chi (10 modified forms from classic Yang style) or attention control (wellness education and stretching) twice weekly for 12 weeks.

Acupuncture for pain relief in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review.

Objective: To systematically review the efficacy of acupuncture on pain relief in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: We performed a comprehensive search of 12 western and Chinese databases and reference lists through March 2008. We included randomized controlled trials with pain as an end point, measured by tender joint count (TJC) or a pain scale.

Tai Chi for treating knee osteoarthritis: designing a long-term follow up randomized controlled trial.

Background: Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA) is a major cause of pain and functional impairment among elders. Currently, there are neither feasible preventive intervention strategies nor effective medical remedies for the management of KOA. Tai Chi, an ancient Chinese mind-body exercise that is reported to enhance muscle function, balance and flexibility, and to reduce pain, depression and anxiety, may safely and effectively be used to treat KOA.