Han Samwel

Predicting outcome of TENS in chronic pain: a prospective, randomized, placebo controlled trial.

&NA; Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is an easy to use non‐invasive analgesic intervention applied for diverse pain states. However, effects in man are still inconclusive, especially for chronic pain. Therefore, to explore the factors predicting result of TENS treatment in chronic pain we conducted a prospective, randomized, placebo‐controlled trial (n = 163), comparing high frequency TENS (n = 81) with sham TENS (n = 82). Patients’ satisfaction (willingness to continue treatment; yes or no) and pain intensity (VAS) were used as outcome measures. The origin of pain and cognitive coping strategies were evaluated as possible predictors for result of TENS treatment. Results: Fifty‐eight percent of the patients in the TENS group and 42.7% of the sham‐TENS group were satisfied with treatment result (chi square = 3.8, p = 0.05). No differences were found for pain intensity. Patients diagnosed with osteoarthritis and related disorders (especially of the vertebral column) or peripheral neuropathic pain were less satisfied with high frequency TENS (OR = 0.12 (95% CI 0.04–0.43) and 0.06 (95% CI 0.006–0.67), respectively). Injury of bone and soft tissue (especially postsurgical pain disorder) provided the best results. Treatment modality or interactions with treatment modality did not predict intensity of pain as a result of treatment. We conclude, that predicting the effect of high frequency TENS in chronic pain depends on the choice of outcome measure. Predicting patients’ satisfaction with treatment result is related to the origin of pain. Predicting pain intensity reflects mechanisms of pain behavior and perceived control of pain, independent of treatment modality. Pain catastrophizing did not predict TENS treatment outcome.

Psychological predictors of the effectiveness of radiofrequency lesioning of the cervical spinal dorsal ganglion (RF-DRG)

In this study, 54 patients suffering from chronic cervicobrachialgia (mean pain duration 7 years) were treated with radiofrequency lesioning of the cervical spinal dorsal root ganglion (RF‐DRG). The aim of the study was to investigate whether psychological variables would be predictive for the changes in pain intensity after medical treatment. The following psychological aspects were measured: pain cognitions, negative self‐efficacy and catastrophizing, physical and psychosocial dysfunction, and overall distress. The level of catastrophizing before treatment appeared to predict 10% of the changes in pain intensity after treatment. Changes in pain intensity after RF‐DRG were positively correlated with changes in psychosocial dysfunction and negative self‐efficacy.

The role of fear-avoidance and helplessness in explaining functional disability in chronic pain: a prospective study

Objective: Based on the fear-avoidance and helplessness models, the relative contribution of fear of pain, avoidance behavior, worrying, and helplessness were examined in relation to fluctuations in functional disability in chronic-pain patients. Methods: A cohort of 181 chronic-pain patients first completed various questionnaires and kept a 7-day pain journal during a standard 3-month waiting-list period prior to their scheduled treatment at an Interdisciplinary Pain Centre and did so again immediately preceding the intervention. Results: At baseline, fear of pain, avoidance behavior, and helplessness all predicted functional disability after 3 months. Stepwise regression analyses showed avoidance behavior to be the strongest predictor of change in functional disability followed by helplessness, thus both ahead of fear of pain. Conclusion: The current findings support the roles of both fear-avoidance factors and helplessness in the functional disability in chronic-pain patients awaiting treatment but revealed a central role for avoidance behavior.

Patient empowerment in cancer pain management: an integrative literature review

More than 50% of patients with cancer experience pain. Patient empowerment has been highlighted as central to success in pain management. Up to now, no clear model for this patient group exists, yet several strategies to empower patients have been used in clinical practice. This review examines how empowerment or related concepts have been described in relation to pain management in patients with cancer. With the help of a conceptual model, recommendations for clinical practice are provided.

Pain exposure physical therapy (PEPT) compared to conventional treatment in complex regional pain syndrome type 1: a randomised controlled trial

Objective To compare the effectiveness of pain exposure physical therapy (PEPT) with conventional treatment in patients with complex regional pain syndrome type 1 (CRPS-1) in a randomised controlled trial with a blinded assessor. Setting The study was conducted at a level 1 trauma centre in the Netherlands. Participants 56 adult patients with CRPS-1 participated. Three patients were lost to follow-up. Interventions Patients received either PEPT in a maximum of five treatment sessions, or conventional treatment following the Dutch multidisciplinary guideline. Measurements Outcomes were assessed at baseline and at 3, 6 and 9 months after randomisation. The primary outcome measure was the Impairment level Sum Score—Restricted Version (ISS-RV), consisting of visual analogue scale for pain (VAS-pain), McGill Pain Questionnaire, active range of motion (AROM) and skin temperature. Secondary outcome measures included Pain Disability Index (PDI); muscle strength; Short Form 36 (SF-36); disability of arm, shoulder and hand; Lower Limb Tasks Questionnaire (LLTQ); 10 m walk test; timed up-and-go test (TUG) and EuroQol-5D. Results The intention-to-treat analysis showed a clinically relevant decrease in ISS-RV (6.7 points for PEPT and 6.2 points for conventional treatment), but the between-group difference was not significant (0.96, 95% CI −1.56 to 3.48). Participants allocated to PEPT experienced a greater improvement in AROM (between-group difference 0.51, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.94; p=0.02). The per protocol analysis showed larger and significant between-group effects on ISS-RV, VAS-pain, AROM, PDI, SF-36, LLTQ and TUG. Conclusions We cannot conclude that PEPT is superior to conventional treatment for patients with CRPS-1. Further high-quality research on the effects of PEPT is warranted given the potential effects as indicated by the per protocol analysis. Trial registration numbers NCT00817128 and NTR 2090.

Multidisciplinary allocation of chronic pain treatment: Effects and cognitive-behavioural predictors of outcome

OBJECTIVES Multidisciplinary treatment approaches have been found to be effective for chronic pain patients although there are large individual differences in outcomes. To increase overall treatment effects, tools are needed to identify patients most likely to benefit from tailored, comprehensive modular treatment schemes. DESIGN The present study evaluates the effects of a multidisciplinary pain treatment allocation protocol in chronic pain patients and seeks to identify cognitive-behavioural predictors of outcome. Pain intensity, functional disability, depression, and use of medication in an intervention group of 110 chronic pain patients were compared to the outcomes of a 110 strong control group. RESULTS Paired pre- and post-treatment t tests showed that all primary outcomes had significantly decreased in the intervention group with ANCOVAs revealing a main group effect for post-treatment pain intensity levels and functional disability. Paired t tests demonstrated both variables to have significantly reduced after treatment relative to the levels reported by the control group. Predictor analyses further showed higher levels of acceptance to significantly predict larger reductions in pain intensity in the intervention but not in the control group. CONCLUSION The tested multidisciplinary allocation scheme for out-patient treatment of chronic pain complaints was effective in reducing pain intensity and functional disability. Findings also showed that especially those patients that are able to accept their condition are likely to profit most from the treatment in terms of pain reduction.

Manual Physical Therapists’ Use of Biopsychosocial History Taking in the Management of Patients with Back or Neck Pain in Clinical Practice

Objective. To develop and evaluate process indicators relevant to biopsychosocial history taking in patients with chronic back and neck pain. Methods. The SCEBS method, covering the Somatic, Psychological (Cognition, Emotion, and Behavior), and Social dimensions of chronic pain, was used to evaluate biopsychosocial history taking by manual physical therapists (MPTs). In Phase I, process indicators were developed while in Phase II indicators were tested in practice. Results. Literature-based recommendations were transformed into 51 process indicators. Twenty MTPs contributed 108 patient audio recordings. History taking was excellent (98.3%) for the Somatic dimension, very inadequate for Cognition (43.1%) and Behavior (38.3%), weak (27.8%) for Emotion, and low (18.2%) for the Social dimension. MTPs estimated their coverage of the Somatic dimension as excellent (100%), as adequate for Cognition, Emotion, and Behavior (60.1%), and as very inadequate for the Social dimension (39.8%). Conclusion. MTPs perform screening for musculoskeletal pain mainly through the use of somatic dimension of (chronic) pain. Psychological and social dimensions of chronic pain were inadequately covered by MPTs. Furthermore, a substantial discrepancy between actual and self-estimated use of biopsychosocial history taking was noted. We strongly recommend full implementation of the SCEBS method in educational programs in manual physical therapy.

The effectiveness and cost evaluation of pain exposure physical therapy and conventional therapy in patients with complex regional pain syndrome type 1. Rationale and design of a randomized controlled trial.

BackgroundPain Exposure Physical Therapy is a new treatment option for patients with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome type 1. It has been evaluated in retrospective as well as in prospective studies and proven to be safe and possibly effective. This indicates that Pain Exposure Physical Therapy is now ready for clinical evaluation. The results of an earlier performed pilot study with an n = 1 design, in which 20 patients with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome type 1 were treated with Pain Exposure Physical Therapy, were used for the design and power calculation of the present study.After completion and evaluation of this phase III study, a multi-centre implementation study will be conducted.The aim of this study is to determine whether Pain Exposure Physical Therapy can improve functional outcomes in patients with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome type 1.Methods/designThis study is designed as a single-blinded, randomized clinical trial. 62 patients will be randomized with a follow-up of 9 months to demonstrate the expected treatment effect. Complex Regional Pain Syndrome type 1 is diagnosed in accordance with the Bruehl/International Association for the Study of Pain criteria. Conventional therapy in accordance with the Dutch guideline will be compared with Pain Exposure Physical Therapy. Primary outcome measure is the Impairment level SumScore, restricted version.DiscussionThis is the first randomized controlled study with single blinding that has ever been planned in patients with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome type 1 and does not focus on a single aspect of the pain syndrome but compares treatment strategies based on completely different pathophysiological and cognitive theories.Trial registrationClinical trials NCT00817128; National Trial Register NTR2090

Cervicogenic somatosensory tinnitus: An indication for manual therapy? Part 1: Theoretical concept

Tinnitus can be evoked or modulated by input from the somatosensory and somatomotor systems. This means that the loudness or intensity of tinnitus can be changed by sensory or motor stimuli such as muscle contractions, mechanical pressure on myofascial trigger points, transcutaneous electrical stimulation or joint movements. The neural connections and integration of the auditory and somatosensory systems of the upper cervical region and head have been confirmed by many studies. These connections can give rise to a form of tinnitus known as somatosensory tinnitus. To date only a handful of publications have focussed on (cervicogenic) somatosensory tinnitus and manual therapy. Broadening the current understanding of somatosensory tinnitus would represent a first step towards providing therapeutic approaches relevant to manual therapists. Treatment modalities involving the somatosensory systems, and particularly manual therapy, should now be re-assessed in the subgroup of patients with cervicogenic somatosensory tinnitus. The conceptual phase of this study aims to uncover underlying mechanisms linking the auditory and somatosensory systems in relation to subjective tinnitus through (i) review of the literature (part 1) and (ii) through design of a pilot study that will explore characteristics of the study population and identify relevant components and outcomes of manual therapy in patients with cervicogenic somatosensory tinnitus (part 2). This manuscript focusses the theoretical concept of (cervicogenic) somatosensory tinnitus, either with or without secondary central tinnitus or tinnitus sensitization.

“Clinical biopsychosocial physiotherapy assessment of patients with chronic pain: The first step in pain neuroscience education” by Amarins J Wijma et al., 2016

Department of Manual Therapy, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium; Scientific Institute for Quality of Healthcare, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Pain in Motion International Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium; Department of Public Health and Research, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Methodological Health-Skilled Institute, Beuningen, The Netherlands; Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Bydgoszcz, Poland; Neurocognitive Laboratory, Centre for Modern Interdisciplinary Technologies, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń, Poland; Department of Nursing Sciences, Faculty of Health, University Witten/Herdecke, Witten, Germany; SOMT Educational Institute for Musculoskeletal Therapy, Amersfoort, The Netherlands; Department Medical Psychology, Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands