Cesar A. Hincapié

Musculoskeletal Injuries and Pain in Dancers: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE To assemble and synthesize the best evidence on the epidemiology, diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and prevention of musculoskeletal injuries and pain in dancers. DATA SOURCES Medline, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Embase, and other electronic databases were searched from 1966 to 2004 using key words such as dance, dancer, dancing, athletic injuries, occupational injuries, sprains and strains, and musculoskeletal diseases. In addition, the reference lists of relevant studies were examined, specialized journals were hand-searched, and the websites of major dance associations were scanned for relevant information. STUDY SELECTION Citations were screened for relevance using a priori criteria, and relevant studies were critically reviewed for scientific merit by the best evidence synthesis method. After 1865 abstracts were screened, 103 articles were reviewed, and 32 (31%) of these were accepted as scientifically admissible (representing 29 unique studies). DATA EXTRACTION Data from accepted studies were abstracted into evidence tables relating to the prevalence and associated factors, incidence and risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, economic costs, and prevention of musculoskeletal injuries and pain in dancers. DATA SYNTHESIS The scientifically admissible studies consisted of 15 (52%) cohort studies, 13 (45%) cross-sectional studies, and 1 (3%) validation study of a diagnostic assessment tool. There is a high prevalence and incidence of lower extremity and back injuries, with soft tissue and overuse injuries predominating. For example, lifetime prevalence estimates for injury in professional ballet dancers ranged between 40% and 84%, while the point prevalence of minor injury in a diverse group of university and professional ballet and modern dancers was 74%. Several potential risk factors for injury are suggested by the literature, but conclusive evidence for any of these is lacking. There is preliminary evidence that comprehensive injury prevention and management strategies may help decrease the incidence of future injury. CONCLUSIONS The dance medicine literature is young and heterogeneous, limiting our ability to draw consistent conclusions. Nonetheless, the best available evidence suggests that musculoskeletal injury is an important health issue for dancers at all skill levels. Better quality research is needed in this specialized area. Future research would benefit from clear and relevant research questions being addressed with appropriate study designs, use of conceptually valid and clinically meaningful case definitions of injury and pain, and better reporting of studies in line with current scientific standards.

Systematic review of the prognosis after mild traumatic brain injury in adults: cognitive, psychiatric, and mortality outcomes: results of the International Collaboration on Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Prognosis.

OBJECTIVE To synthesize the best available evidence on objective outcomes after adult mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI). DATA SOURCES MEDLINE and other databases were searched (2001-2012) for studies related to MTBI. Inclusion criteria included published, peer-reviewed articles in English and other languages. References were also identified from the bibliographies of eligible articles. STUDY SELECTION Randomized controlled trials and cohort and case-control studies were selected according to predefined criteria. Studies had to have a minimum of 30 MTBI cases and assess objective outcomes in adults. DATA EXTRACTION Eligible studies were critically appraised using a modification of the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) criteria. Two reviewers independently reviewed each study and extracted data from accepted articles into evidence tables. DATA SYNTHESIS Evidence was synthesized qualitatively according to modified SIGN criteria, and studies were categorized as exploratory or confirmatory based on the strength of their design and evidence. After 77,914 records were screened, 299 were found to be relevant and critically reviewed, and 101 were deemed scientifically admissible. Of these, 21 studies that were related to the objective outcomes form the basis of this review. Most evidence indicates the presence of cognitive deficits in the first 2 weeks post-MTBI, and some evidence suggests that complete recovery may take 6 months or a year. A small number of studies indicate that MTBI increases the risk of psychiatric illnesses and suicide. CONCLUSIONS Early cognitive deficits are common, and complete recovery may be prolonged. Conclusions about mortality post-MTBI are limited. This review has implications for expected recovery after MTBI and MTBI-related health sequelae. Well-designed confirmatory studies are needed to understand the medium- to long-term consequences of MTBI and to further evaluate the effect of prior MTBI and injury severity on recovery.

Systematic Review of Self-Reported Prognosis in Adults After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: Results of the International Collaboration on Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Prognosis

OBJECTIVE To update the mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) prognosis review published by the World Health Organization Task Force in 2004. DATA SOURCES MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Embase, CINAHL, and SPORTDiscus were searched from 2001 to 2012. We included published, peer-reviewed studies with more than 30 adult cases. STUDY SELECTION Controlled trials and cohort and case-control studies were selected according to predefined criteria. Studies had to assess subjective, self-reported outcomes. After 77,914 titles and abstracts were screened, 299 articles were eligible and reviewed for scientific quality. This includes 3 original International Collaboration on MTBI Prognosis (ICoMP) research studies. DATA EXTRACTION Eligible studies were critically appraised using the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network criteria. Two reviewers independently reviewed each study and tabled data from accepted articles. A third reviewer was consulted for disagreements. DATA SYNTHESIS Evidence from accepted studies was synthesized qualitatively into key findings, and prognostic information was prioritized according to design as exploratory or confirmatory. Of 299 reviewed studies, 101 (34%) were accepted and form our evidence base of prognostic studies. Of these, 23 addressed self-reported outcomes in adults, including 2 of the 3 original ICoMP research studies. These studies show that common postconcussion symptoms are not specific to MTBI/concussion and occur after other injuries as well. Poor recovery after MTBI is associated with poorer premorbid mental and physical health status and with more injury-related stress. Most recover over 1 year, but persistent symptoms are more likely in those with more acute symptoms and more emotional stress. CONCLUSIONS Common subjective symptoms after MTBI are not necessarily caused by brain injury per se, but they can be persistent in some patients. Those with more initial complaints and psychological distress recover slower. We need more high-quality research on these issues.

Whiplash Injury is More Than Neck Pain: A Population-Based Study of Pain Localization After Traffic Injury

Objectives: To describe the distribution of bodily pain and identify common patterns of pain localization after traffic injury. Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of a population-based cohort of 6481 Saskatchewan residents who were treated or filed an auto insurance claim within 30 days of traffic injury or both. The prevalence of pain in each of 13 body areas was calculated and compared with pain confined exclusively to each of these areas. Principal component analysis was used to identify the main patterns of pain localization after traffic injury. Results: Irrespective of pain in other areas, 86% of respondents reported posterior neck pain, 72% indicated head pain, and 60% noted lumbar back pain. Ninety-five percent of claimants reported some pain within the posterior trunk region, comprising the posterior neck, shoulder, mid-back, lumbar, and buttock areas. Only 0.4% of respondents reported posterior neck pain only. Four main patterns accounted for 60% of the variance in pain localization: 1) upper anterior trunk and upper extremity pain; 2) head, posterior neck, and upper posterior trunk pain; 3) low back pain; and 4) lower anterior trunk and lower extremity pain. Conclusion: Pain after traffic injury is most commonly reported in multiple body areas; isolated neck pain is extremely rare. These results have implications for clinical management of traffic injuries and interpretation of whiplash-related trials.

Systematic Search and Review Procedures: Results of the International Collaboration on Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Prognosis

OBJECTIVES To update the last best-evidence synthesis conducted by the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Neurotrauma, Prevention, Management and Rehabilitation in 2002; and to describe the course, identify prognostic factors, determine long-term sequelae, identify effects of interventions for mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI), identify knowledge gaps in the literature, and make recommendations for future research. DATA SOURCES MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health, and SPORTDiscus were searched between 2001 and 2012. Inclusion criteria included published peer-reviewed articles in English and 5 other languages. References were also identified from relevant reviews and meta-analyses and the bibliographies of eligible articles. STUDY SELECTION Controlled trials and cohort and case-control studies were selected according to predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria. Studies had to have at least 30 MTBI cases and assess outcomes relevant to prognosis after MTBI. DATA EXTRACTION Eligible studies were critically appraised using modified Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) criteria. Two reviewers independently reviewed each study and extracted data from accepted articles (ie, with a low risk of bias) into evidence tables. DATA SYNTHESIS The evidence was synthesized qualitatively according to modified SIGN criteria and prioritized according to design as exploratory or confirmatory. The evidence was organized into separate articles according to population (eg, adults, children, and athletes) and outcomes (eg, risk of dementia after MTBI). CONCLUSIONS After 77,914 records were screened, 299 articles were eligible and reviewed. Of these, 101 (34%) were accepted as scientifically admissible and form the basis of our findings, which are organized into 10 articles in this supplement. These reviews present the best available evidence on MTBI prognosis, but more research is needed.

Is a history of work-related low back injury associated with prevalent low back pain and depression in the general population?

BackgroundLittle is known about the role of prior occupational low back injury in future episodes of low back pain and disability in the general population. We conducted a study to determine if a lifetime history of work-related low back injury is associated with prevalent severity-graded low back pain, depressive symptoms, or both, in the general population.MethodsWe used data from the Saskatchewan Health and Back Pain Survey – a population-based cross-sectional survey mailed to a random, stratified sample of 2,184 Saskatchewan adults 20 to 69 years of age in 1995. Information on the main independent variable was gathered by asking respondents whether they had ever injured their low back at work. Our outcomes, the 6-month period prevalence of severity-graded low back pain and depressive symptoms during the past week, were measured with valid and reliable questionnaires. The associations between prior work-related low back injury and our outcomes were estimated through multinomial and binary multivariable logistic regression with adjustment for age, gender, and other important covariates.ResultsFifty-five percent of the eligible population participated. Of the 1,086 participants who responded to the question about the main independent variable, 38.0% reported a history of work-related low back injury. A history of work-related low back injury was positively associated with low intensity/low disability low back pain (OR, 3.66; 95%CI, 2.48–5.42), with high intensity/low disability low back pain (OR, 4.03; 95%CI, 2.41–6.76), and with high disability low back pain (OR, 6.76; 95%CI, 3.80–12.01). No association was found between a history of work-related low back injury and depression (OR, 0.85; 95%CI, 0.55–1.30).ConclusionOur analysis shows an association between past occupational low back injury and increasing severity of prevalent low back pain, but not depression. These results suggest that past work-related low back injury may be an important risk factor for future episodes of low back pain and disability in the general population.

The Treatment of Neck Pain–Associated Disorders and Whiplash-Associated Disorders: A Clinical Practice Guideline

OBJECTIVE The objective was to develop a clinical practice guideline on the management of neck pain-associated disorders (NADs) and whiplash-associated disorders (WADs). This guideline replaces 2 prior chiropractic guidelines on NADs and WADs. METHODS Pertinent systematic reviews on 6 topic areas (education, multimodal care, exercise, work disability, manual therapy, passive modalities) were assessed using A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) and data extracted from admissible randomized controlled trials. We incorporated risk of bias scores in the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation. Evidence profiles were used to summarize judgments of the evidence quality, detail relative and absolute effects, and link recommendations to the supporting evidence. The guideline panel considered the balance of desirable and undesirable consequences. Consensus was achieved using a modified Delphi. The guideline was peer reviewed by a 10-member multidisciplinary (medical and chiropractic) external committee. RESULTS For recent-onset (0-3 months) neck pain, we suggest offering multimodal care; manipulation or mobilization; range-of-motion home exercise, or multimodal manual therapy (for grades I-II NAD); supervised graded strengthening exercise (grade III NAD); and multimodal care (grade III WAD). For persistent (>3 months) neck pain, we suggest offering multimodal care or stress self-management; manipulation with soft tissue therapy; high-dose massage; supervised group exercise; supervised yoga; supervised strengthening exercises or home exercises (grades I-II NAD); multimodal care or practitioners advice (grades I-III NAD); and supervised exercise with advice or advice alone (grades I-II WAD). For workers with persistent neck and shoulder pain, evidence supports mixed supervised and unsupervised high-intensity strength training or advice alone (grades I-III NAD). CONCLUSIONS A multimodal approach including manual therapy, self-management advice, and exercise is an effective treatment strategy for both recent-onset and persistent neck pain.

Spinal Manipulative Therapy and Other Conservative Treatments for Low Back Pain: A Guideline From the Canadian Chiropractic Guideline Initiative

Objective: The objective of this study was to develop a clinical practice guideline on the management of acute and chronic low back pain (LBP) in adults. The aim was to develop a guideline to provide best practice recommendations on the initial assessment and monitoring of people with low back pain and address the use of spinal manipulation therapy (SMT) compared with other commonly used conservative treatments. Methods: The topic areas were chosen based on an Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality comparative effectiveness review, specific to spinal manipulation as a nonpharmacological intervention. The panel updated the search strategies in Medline. We assessed admissible systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials for each question using A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews and Cochrane Back Review Group criteria. Evidence profiles were used to summarize judgments of the evidence quality and link recommendations to the supporting evidence. Using the Evidence to Decision Framework, the guideline panel determined the certainty of evidence and strength of the recommendations. Consensus was achieved using a modified Delphi technique. The guideline was peer reviewed by an 8‐member multidisciplinary external committee. Results: For patients with acute (0–3 months) back pain, we suggest offering advice (posture, staying active), reassurance, education and self‐management strategies in addition to SMT, usual medical care when deemed beneficial, or a combination of SMT and usual medical care to improve pain and disability. For patients with chronic (>3 months) back pain, we suggest offering advice and education, SMT or SMT as part of a multimodal therapy (exercise, myofascial therapy or usual medical care when deemed beneficial). For patients with chronic back‐related leg pain, we suggest offering advice and education along with SMT and home exercise (positioning and stabilization exercises). Conclusions: A multimodal approach including SMT, other commonly used active interventions, self‐management advice, and exercise is an effective treatment strategy for acute and chronic back pain, with or without leg pain.

Chiropractic spinal manipulation and the risk for acute lumbar disc herniation: a belief elicitation study

PurposeChiropractic spinal manipulation treatment (SMT) is common for back pain and has been reported to increase the risk for lumbar disc herniation (LDH), but there is no high quality evidence about this. In the absence of good evidence, clinicians can have knowledge and beliefs about the risk. Our purpose was to determine clinicians’ beliefs regarding the risk for acute LDH associated with chiropractic SMT.MethodsUsing a belief elicitation design, 47 clinicians (16 chiropractors, 15 family physicians and 16 spine surgeons) that treat patients with back pain from primary and tertiary care practices were interviewed. Participants’ elicited incidence estimates of acute LDH among a hypothetical group of patients with acute low back pain treated with and without chiropractic SMT, were used to derive the probability distribution for the relative risk (RR) for acute LDH associated with chiropractic SMT.ResultsChiropractors expressed the most optimistic belief (median RR 0.56; IQR 0.39–1.03); family physicians expressed a neutral belief (median RR 0.97; IQR 0.64–1.21); and spine surgeons expressed a slightly more pessimistic belief (median RR 1.07; IQR 0.95–1.29). Clinicians with the most optimistic views believed that chiropractic SMT reduces the incidence of acute LDH by about 60% (median RR 0.42; IQR 0.29–0.53). Those with the most pessimistic views believed that chiropractic SMT increases the incidence of acute LDH by about 30% (median RR 1.29; IQR 1.11–1.59).ConclusionsClinicians’ beliefs about the risk for acute LDH associated with chiropractic SMT varied systematically across professions, in spite of a lack of scientific evidence to inform these beliefs. These probability distributions can serve as prior probabilities in future Bayesian analyses of this relationship.

Non-surgical interventions after mild traumatic brain injury: A systematic review. Results of the International Collaboration on MTBI Prognosis (ICoMP)

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Take down policy If you believe that this document breaches copyright please contact us at vbn@aub.aau.dk providing details, and we will remove access to the work immediately and investigate your claim. • Provides the stakeholders with educational information to facilitate the process of working together on their joint assignment • May take many forms depending on the organizations presenting concerns, from defining and identifying tacit assumptions to understanding the impact of these cognitions • Involves the formal application of theoretical and empirically supported psychological principles to facilitate a desired development within ethical and professional practice standards • Is used most extensively during early sessions and may be supplemented with reading materials and other educational resourcesObjectives: The prevalence of sleep difficulties is high after head injury (HI). Previous research suggests that HI patients with sleep problems require longer stays in rehabilitation units and that disturbance of arousal disrupts engagement in rehabilitation activities. The present study explored the prevalence and types of sleep disorders in patients with severe HI undergoing inpatient rehabilitation and whether the presence of sleep problems affects their rehabilitation. Methods: Twenty-three (n = 23) severe HI patients responded to a semi-structured clinical screening interview about their sleep–wake patterns and wore an actiwatch (an activity monitor that is associated with sleep and wakefulness) for 7 days. Participants also completed self-report measures on sleep, mood, fatigue, pain and daytime sleepiness. Information on rehabilitation variables, including frequency of aggressive behaviour, engagement in rehabilitation and level of disability was collected retrospectively from staff and rehabilitation notes. Results: Fifteen participants (65.2%) had sleep problems. Of these, 10 (43.8%) met formal diagnostic criteria for a sleep disorder and in five (21.7%) no underlying cause for sleep problems was identified. Diagnosed sleep disorders in the sample comprised insomnia (21.7%), post-traumatic hypersomnia (8.7%), circadian rhythm disorder (8.7%), sleep apnoea (4.3%), periodic limb movement disorder (4.3%) and rhythmic movement disorder (4.3%). Senior rehabilitation therapists estimated sleep disturbance as interfering with the rehabilitation process in 26% of the overall research sample (n = 23). Sleep quality, assessed by self-report measures (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; PSQI) was not significantly associated with rehabilitation variables (Hopkins Rehabilitation Engagement Rating Scale). Poor sleep quality (PSQI) was associated with greater anxiety (r = 0.611), fatigue (r = 0.683) and daytime sleepiness (r = 0.529). Conclusions: Consistent with previous studies, sleep disorder and disturbed sleep was common in HI patients undergoing rehabilitation and was associated with anxiety, fatigue and daytime sleepiness. These findings highlight the importance of assessing and treating sleep problems in HI patients undergoing rehabilitation.OBJECTIVESFatigue after an acquired brain injury is common, and is characterized by limited energy reserves to accomplish ordinary daily activities. A typical characteristic of mental fatigue is that the mental exhaustion becomes pronounced during sensory stimulation or when cognitive tasks are performed for extended periods without breaks. There is a drain of mental energy upon mental activity in situations in which there is an invasion of the senses with an overload of impressions, and in noisy and hectic environments. Another typical feature is a disproportionally long recovery time needed to restore the mental energy levels after being mentally exhausted. The mental fatigue is also dependent on the total activity level as well as the nature of the demands of daily activities. For many people, there is an increased risk of doing too much and becoming even more fatigued.METHODSWe have developed an application for Windows Phone for assessment of mental fatigue. The Mental Fatigue Scale is used. The MFS is a multidimensional questionnaire containing 15 questions. The questions included in the MFS are based on symptoms described following longitudinal studies of patients with TBI, brain tumours, infections or inflammations in the nervous system, vascular brain diseases, and other brain disorders. The app also includes information about mental fatigue. RESULTSThis application can help people determine the level of mental fatigue and it can also serve to provide an overall picture of the severity of the condition, and detect changes in mental fatigue over time. The scores will be added up and the results will be presented in the form of a rating scale and a diagram. People can then see their results for one week ago, one month ago or a whole year ago. Today, the most important recommendations are to adapt to the energy available by doing one thing at a time, resting regularly and not overdoing things. However, this is challenging for most people and it may take a long time, even years, to adapt to a sustainable level. It may also be difficult for the person to learn by himself/herself and it can take several years of considerable struggle, frustration, despair and depression, to find the right balance between rest and activity. This app can help people to be aware of mental fatigue. If they connect the results to daily activities, the app may also help them to be more aware about what may alleviate and what may make mental fatigue worse. CONCLUSIONSWith regular assessment of mental fatigue, this app may give feedback and support in order to achieve an enduring balance between activities and rest.The application can be downloaded without cost: http://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/store/app/mental-fatigue/87d4cb88-c9b5-4ac9-9a92-b63a5d8f4d82Abstract presented at the Tenth World Congress on Brain Injury, 19-22 March 2014, San Francisco, United StatesObjectives: Head injury (HI) patients report frequent problems with memory, concentration, fatigue, irritability, temper, dizziness and headaches. Sleep problems are reported in up to 70% of patients after head injury and insomnia symptoms can be found in up to 30% of HI patients; these rates are significantly higher than those found in the general population. This study has conducted the first qualitative analysis on the impact of sleep difficulties in the quality-of-life of HI patients. Methods: Two groups of therapists (n = 16) participated in focus group discussions. The groups included speech therapists, neuropsychologists, assistant psychologist, nurses and support workers that have been working in two local rehabilitation centres for at least 6 months prior to the study. Community patients were recruited from a local HI supporting network (Headway) and were invited to participate in the study. Three groups of community patients (n = 4 per group) with severe HI were facilitated to discuss their sleep problems after the injury in a group setting. Group discussions lasted ∼45–60 minutes per group until saturation was achieved. Thematic analysis was used to qualitatively explore the beliefs, experiences and expectations associated with sleep disturbances following head injury. Results: Therapists and support staff reported that sleep difficulties are common in HI patients and that in most cases sleep disturbance is related not only to the HI itself but also to mental health or environmental factors. Staff felt that little attention is routinely paid to these problems during rehabilitation unless specifically linked to challenging behaviour. Fatigue was thought to be highly relevant and to have a negative effect on engagement and participation in rehabilitation. Patients thought that sleep problems became persistent after injury and the areas that emerged as being more affected were: mood, cognition, everyday functioning, physical health, concentration and cognition. Most patients reported severe insomnia symptoms associated with worry about life and family during the night. Conclusions: To provide better management and improve their rehabilitation it is essential to understand the therapists’ and patients’ expectations and perceptions of sleep difficulties after head injury. Qualitative analysis shows that sleep difficulties have a significant impact on the cognitive, affective and behavioural difficulties that many patients experience following a head injury.