Journal of PainPub Date : 2024-08-03DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2024.104647
KayLoni L. Olson , Christopher Eccleston
{"title":"Reconsidering the Role of Weight Loss in Treatment for Chronic Pain: Knee Osteoarthritis as an Exemplar","authors":"KayLoni L. Olson , Christopher Eccleston","doi":"10.1016/j.jpain.2024.104647","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jpain.2024.104647","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Chronic pain is prevalent among individuals with higher body weight and associated with greater impairment. As a result, weight loss is a common recommendation for pain management among those with higher body weight. Body weight is an appealing target because it is modifiable and evidence-based treatments to produce weight loss are well-established. In the last 2 decades, there has been a growing line of scientific work investigating the application of weight loss to individuals with chronic pain. This represents an important step to integrate the conceptualization of pain and body weight and there is preliminary work suggesting treatment effects are enhanced when weight loss treatment is combined with pain coping skills. However, weight loss outcomes are variable and difficult to sustain, and access to evidence-based treatment is limited. These concerns are set against the backdrop of growing public and academic concern about the weight-centric approach to health care that dominates western medicine. This is a timely moment to reconsider the conceptualization of weight and pain, and the role of weight loss in chronic pain treatment. Using osteoarthritis as an exemplar, we review the evidence for and clinical uptake of weight loss as a chronic pain management strategy and conclude with key areas for consideration to advance the scientific understanding of these comorbid conditions and how to optimize pain management for individuals of higher body weight.</div></div><div><h3>Perspective</h3><div>This focus article critically considers the role of weight loss in management of chronic pain among individuals of higher body. Using knee osteoarthritis as an exemplar, the evidence and clinical uptake of weight loss for pain management is reviewed. Limitations are considered to guide future research and clinical care.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51095,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain","volume":"25 12","pages":"Article 104647"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141894825","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Journal of PainPub Date : 2024-08-01DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2024.03.003
{"title":"Minimal Clinically Important Change of Movement Pain in Musculoskeletal Pain Conditions","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.jpain.2024.03.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jpain.2024.03.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p><span><span>Movement pain, which is distinct from resting pain, is frequently reported by individuals with musculoskeletal pain<span>. There is growing interest in measuring movement pain as a primary outcome in clinical trials<span>, but no minimally clinically important change (MCIC) has been established, limiting interpretations. We analyzed data from 315 participants who participated in previous clinical trials (65 with chronic </span></span></span>Achilles tendinopathy; 250 with fibromyalgia) to establish an MCIC for movement pain. A composite movement pain score was defined as the average pain (Numeric Rating Scale: 0–10) during 2 clinically relevant activities. The change in movement pain was calculated as the change in movement pain from pre-intervention to post-intervention. A Global Scale (GS: 1–7) was completed after the intervention on perceived change in </span>health status. Participants were dichotomized into non-responders (GS ≥4) and responders (GS <3). Receiver operating characteristic curves were calculated to determine threshold values and corresponding sensitivity and specificity. We used the Euclidean method to determine the optimal threshold point of the Receiver operating characteristic curve to determine the MCIC. The MCIC for raw change in movement pain was 1.1 (95% confidence interval [CI]: .9–1.6) with a sensitivity of .83 (95% CI: .75–.92) and specificity of .79 (95% CI: .72–.86). For percent change in movement pain the MCIC was 27% (95% CI: 10–44%) with a sensitivity of .79 (95% CI: .70–.88) and a specificity of .82 (95% CI: .72–.90). Establishing an MCIC for movement pain will improve interpretations in clinical practice and research.</p></div><div><h3>Perspective</h3><p>A minimal clinically important change (MCIC) of 1.1- points (95% CI: .9–1.6) for movement pain discriminates between responders and non-responders to rehabilitation. This MCIC provides context for interpreting the meaningfulness of improvement in pain specific to movement tasks.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":51095,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain","volume":"25 8","pages":"Article 104507"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140121288","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Journal of PainPub Date : 2024-08-01DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2024.03.010
{"title":"Voltage-gated Calcium Channels as Potential Therapeutic Targets in Migraine","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.jpain.2024.03.010","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jpain.2024.03.010","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Migraine is a complex and highly incapacitating neurological disorder that affects around 15% of the general population with greater incidence in women, often at the most productive age of life. Migraine physiopathology is still not fully understood, but it involves multiple mediators and events in the trigeminovascular system and the central nervous system. The identification of calcitonin gene-related peptide as a key mediator in migraine physiopathology has led to the development of effective and highly selective antimigraine therapies. However, this treatment is neither accessible nor effective for all migraine sufferers. Thus, a better understanding of migraine mechanisms and the identification of potential targets are still clearly warranted. Voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) are widely distributed in the trigeminovascular system, and there is accumulating evidence of their contribution to the mechanisms associated with headache pain. Several drugs used in migraine abortive or prophylactic treatment target VGCCs, which probably contributes to their analgesic effect. This review aims to summarize the current evidence of VGGC contribution to migraine physiopathology and to discuss how current pharmacological options for migraine treatment interfere with VGGC function.</p></div><div><h3>Perspective</h3><p>Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) represents a major migraine mediator, but few studies have investigated the relationship between CGRP and VGCCs. CGRP release is calcium channel-dependent and VGGCs are key players in familial migraine. Further studies are needed to determine whether VGCCs are suitable molecular targets for treating migraine.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":51095,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain","volume":"25 8","pages":"Article 104514"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140208176","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Journal of PainPub Date : 2024-08-01DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2024.104523
{"title":"Changes in Resting-State Brain Activity After Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain: A Magnetoencephalography Study","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.jpain.2024.104523","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jpain.2024.104523","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is believed to be an effective treatment for chronic pain due to its association with cognitive and emotional factors. Nevertheless, there is a paucity of magnetoencephalography (MEG) investigations elucidating its underlying mechanisms. This study investigated the neurophysiological effects of CBT employing MEG and analytical techniques. We administered resting-state MEG scans to 30 patients with chronic pain and 31 age-matched healthy controls. Patients engaged in a 12-session group CBT program. We conducted pretreatment (T1) and post-treatment (T2) MEG and clinical assessments. MEG data were examined within predefined regions of interest, guided by the authors’ and others’ prior magnetic resonance imaging studies. Initially, we selected regions displaying significant changes in power spectral density and multiscale entropy between patients at T1 and healthy controls. Then, we examined the changes within these regions after conducting CBT. Furthermore, we applied support vector machine analysis to MEG data to assess the potential for classifying treatment effects. We observed normalization of power in the gamma2 band (61–90 Hz) within the right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) and multiscale entropy within the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) of patients with chronic pain after CBT. Notably, changes in pain intensity before and after CBT positively correlated with the alterations of multiscale entropy. Importantly, responders predicted by the support vector machine classifier had significantly higher treatment improvement rates than nonresponders. These findings underscore the pivotal role of the right IFG and DLPFC in ameliorating pain intensity through CBT. Further accumulation of evidence is essential for future applications.</p></div><div><h3>Perspective</h3><p>We conducted MEG scans on 30 patients with chronic pain before and after a CBT program, comparing results with 31 healthy individuals. There were CBT-related changes in the right IFG and DLPFC. These results highlight the importance of specific brain regions in pain reduction through CBT.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":51095,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain","volume":"25 8","pages":"Article 104523"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140784354","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Journal of PainPub Date : 2024-08-01DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2024.02.017
{"title":"Reciprocal Association Between Chronic Pain and Health Insurance Type in a Population-based Longitudinal Cohort Study","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.jpain.2024.02.017","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jpain.2024.02.017","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Chronic pain is a widespread condition limiting adults’ daily activities and labor force participation. In the United States, withdrawal from the workforce could be associated with loss of health insurance coverage, while lack of health insurance coverage can limit access to diagnosis and management of chronic health conditions. We used a longitudinal cohort study of middle-aged adults to investigate whether chronic pain is reciprocally associated with coverage by any insurance and type of insurance coverage over a 2-year period (2018 and 2020). Among 5,137 participants (median age of 57 years in 2018), 29% reported chronic pain in either year, while 9 to 10% were uninsured each year. Using multivariable cross-lagged logistic regression analysis, chronic pain in 2018 was not associated with having any insurance coverage in 2020, and lack of coverage in 2018 was not associated with chronic pain in 2020. In further analysis, we determined that public coverage, other (non-private) coverage, or no coverage in 2018 were associated with an increased risk of chronic pain in 2020; while chronic pain in 2018 increased the risk of coverage by public rather than private insurance 2 years later, as well as the risk of coverage by other (non-private) payors. The reciprocal association of non-private insurance coverage and chronic pain may be related to insufficient access to chronic pain treatment among publicly insured adults, or qualification for public insurance based on disability among adults with chronic pain. These results demonstrate that accounting for the type of health insurance coverage is critical when predicting chronic pain in US populations.</p></div><div><h3>Perspective</h3><p>In a longitudinal cohort study of middle-aged US adults, the use of public and other non-private insurance predicts future experience of chronic pain, while past experience of chronic pain predicts future use of public and other non-private insurance.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":51095,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain","volume":"25 8","pages":"Article 104503"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140040799","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Journal of PainPub Date : 2024-08-01DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2024.03.001
{"title":"Exercise and Dietary Recommendations for Women with Chronic Pain: What’s Weight and Race Got To Do with It?","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.jpain.2024.03.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jpain.2024.03.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p><span><span>Exercise and diet are beneficial for pain, yet many patients do not receive such recommendations from providers. This may be due to biases related to gender, race, and weight. We recruited medical students (N = 90) to view videos of women with chronic </span>back pain performing a functional task; patients varied by weight (overweight/obese) and race (Black/White). For each woman patient, providers rated their likelihood of recommending exercises or dietary changes. Ratings significantly differed across recommendations (</span><em>F</em>(2.75, 244.72) = 6.19, <em>P</em> < .01) in that providers were more likely to recommend flexibility exercises than aerobic exercises and dietary changes and were more likely to recommend strength exercises than dietary changes. Results also indicated that women with obesity were more likely to receive aerobic (<em>F</em>(1,89) = 17.20, <em>P</em> < .01), strength (<em>F</em>(1,89) = 6.08, <em>P</em> = .02), and dietary recommendations (<em>F</em>(1,89) = 37.56, <em>P</em> < .01) than were women with overweight. Additionally, White women were more likely to receive a recommendation for flexibility exercises (<em>F</em>(1,89) = 4.92, <em>P</em> = .03) than Black women. Collectively, these findings suggest that providers’ exercise and dietary recommendations for women with chronic pain are influenced by the weight status and racial identity of the patient. Future studies are needed to identify the reasons underlying these systematic differences, including the stereotypes and attitudes that may be driving these effects.</p></div><div><h3>Perspective</h3><p>This article presents results on how patient weight and race impact providers’ exercise and diet recommendations for women with chronic back pain. Provider recommendations for these modalities may be systematically biased in a way that impedes care and impacts patient functioning.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":51095,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain","volume":"25 8","pages":"Article 104505"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140128947","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Journal of PainPub Date : 2024-08-01DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2024.03.005
{"title":"Preliminary Characterization of Age and Chronic Low Back Pain Effects on Multimodal Pain Sensitivity: A Comparison Study in Older Adults with and Without Chronic Low Back Pain","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.jpain.2024.03.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jpain.2024.03.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Though pain sensitivity impairments contribute to chronic pain in younger adults, it is unclear if pain hypersensitivity manifests with aging and is heightened in the geriatric chronic low back pain population. The cross-sectional study preliminarily addressed this gap by measuring pain sensitivity in older adults with chronic low back pain (n = 25) as well as pain-free sex-matched older (n = 25) and younger adults (n = 25). Pain sensitivity was quantified by 8 distinct measures that were subdivided as static (ie, pressure pain thresholds, heat pain thresholds, fixed mechanical pain, and fixed cold pain) and dynamic pain sensitivity (ie, mechanical temporal summation, thermal ramp and hold, heat pain aftersensations, and conditioned pain modulation). Test-retest reliability values for pain sensitivity ranged from moderate to excellent (intraclass correlation coefficients ≥ .500; p’s < .05). The main effect for the group was significant (partial η<sup>2</sup> = .413, <em>P</em> < .001), revealing between-group differences in pain sensitivity on 5 out of 8 tests (p’s ≤ .043). Predominantly, both older adult groups demonstrated increased pain facilitation and decreased pain inhibition during dynamic pain sensitivity testing compared to pain-free younger adults (p’s ≤ .044). Despite qualitative differences, static and dynamic pain sensitivity responses were statistically similar between older adults with and without chronic LBP (p’s > .05). Findings suggest pain sensitivity can be reliably measured in older adults and that pain hypersensitivity develops with chronological aging, providing partial support for the theory that pain hypersensitivity may impact geriatric chronic pain populations. Further study is needed to more definitively parse out whether pain hypersensitivity is comparatively heightened in older adults with chronic LBP beyond the influence of chronological aging.</p></div><div><h3>Perspective</h3><p>This article establishes that surrogate measures of centrally mediated pain sensitization are heightened with aging. Impaired endogenous pain modulation may influence chronic pain development, maintenance, treatment efficacy, and/or ensuing disability, necessitating research to comprehensively characterize how pain hypersensitivity contributes to geriatric chronic pain conditions.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":51095,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain","volume":"25 8","pages":"Article 104509"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140128759","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Journal of PainPub Date : 2024-08-01DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2024.02.016
{"title":"Preliminary Validation of a General Factor Model of Chronic Overlapping Pain Conditions","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.jpain.2024.02.016","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jpain.2024.02.016","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Chronic overlapping pain conditions (COPCs) by definition, frequently co-occur, perhaps reflecting their shared etiologies. Their overlapping nature presents a methodological challenge, possibly masking associations between COPCs and health outcomes attributable to either general or specific processes. To address this challenge, we used population-based cohort data to evaluate the predictive validity of a bifactor model of 9 self-reported COPCs by assessing its association with incident pain-related clinical diagnoses; pain-relevant pharmacotherapy; and other health outcomes. We obtained data from a 2005 to 2006 study of Swedish adult twins linked with health data from nationwide registers through 2016 (N = 25,418). We then fit a bifactor model comprising a general COPC factor and 2 independent specific factors measuring pain-related somatic symptoms and neck and shoulder pain. Accounting for age, biological sex, and cancer, the general factor was associated with increased risk of all pain-related outcomes (eg, COPC diagnosis adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.71; 95% confidence interval [1.62, 1.81]), most mental health-related outcomes (eg, depression aOR, 1.72 [1.60, 1.85]), and overdose and mortality (eg, all-cause mortality aOR, 1.25 [1.09, 1.43]). The somatic symptoms specific factor was associated with pain-relevant pharmacotherapy (eg, prescribed opioids aOR, 1.25 [1.15, 1.36]), most mental health-related outcomes (eg, depression aOR, 1.95 [1.70, 2.23]), and overdose (eg, nonfatal overdose aOR, 1.66 [1.31, 2.10]). The neck and shoulder pain-specific factor was weakly and inconsistently associated with the outcomes. Findings provide initial support for the validity and utility of a general-factor model of COPCs as a tool to strengthen understanding of co-occurrence, etiology, and consequences of chronic pain.</p></div><div><h3>Perspective</h3><p>This article presents associations between a novel measurement model of COPCs and various health outcomes. Findings provide support for measuring pain across multiple domains rather than only measuring pain specific to one physical location in both research and clinical contexts.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":51095,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain","volume":"25 8","pages":"Article 104502"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139991787","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Journal of PainPub Date : 2024-08-01DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2024.03.004
{"title":"Mesenchymal Stem Cell Engagement Modulates Neuroma Microenviroment in Rats and Humans and Prevents Postamputation Pain","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.jpain.2024.03.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jpain.2024.03.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Postamputation pain is currently managed unsatisfactorily with neuron-targeted pharmacological and interventional therapies. Non-neuronal pain mechanisms have emerged as crucial factors in the development and persistence of postamputation pain. Consequently, these mechanisms offer exciting prospects as innovative therapeutic targets. We examined the hypothesis that engaging mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) would foster local neuroimmune interactions, leading to a potential reduction in postamputation pain. We utilized an ex vivo neuroma model from a phantom limb pain patient to uncover that the oligodeoxynucleotide IMT504 engaged human primary MSCs to promote an anti-inflammatory microenvironment. Reverse translation experiments recapitulated these effects. Thus, in an in vivo rat model, IMT504 exhibited strong efficacy in preventing autotomy (self-mutilation) behaviors. This effect was linked to a substantial accumulation of MSCs in the neuroma and associated dorsal root ganglia and the establishment of an anti-inflammatory phenotype in these compartments. Centrally, this intervention reduced glial reactivity in the dorsal horn spinal cord, demonstrating diminished nociceptive activity. Accordingly, the exogenous systemic administration of MSCs phenocopied the behavioral effects of IMT504. Our findings underscore the mechanistic relevance of MSCs and the translational therapeutic potential of IMT504 to engage non-neuronal cells for the prevention of postamputation pain.</p></div><div><h3>Perspective</h3><p>The present study suggests that IMT504-dependent recruitment of endogenous MSCs within severely injured nerves may prevent post-amputation pain by modifying the inflammatory scenario at relevant sites in the pain pathway. Reinforcing data in rat and human tissues supports the potential therapeutic value of IMT504 in patients suffering postamputation pain.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":51095,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain","volume":"25 8","pages":"Article 104508"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140128837","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Journal of PainPub Date : 2024-08-01DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2024.03.002
{"title":"The Effect of Combining Spinal Manipulation and Dry Needling in Individuals With Nonspecific Low Back Pain","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.jpain.2024.03.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jpain.2024.03.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p><span><span>Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common and costly musculoskeletal conditions impacting health care in the United States. The development of multimodal strategies of treatment is imperative in order to curb the growing incidence and prevalence of LBP. </span>Spinal manipulative therapy<span> (SMT), dry needling (DN), and exercise are common nonpharmacological treatments for LBP. This study is a 3-armed parallel-group design </span></span>randomized clinical trial<span>. We enrolled and randomized 96 participants with LBP into a multimodal strategy of treatment consisting of a combination of DN and SMT, DN only, and SMT only, followed by an at-home exercise program. All participants received 4 treatment sessions in the first 2 weeks followed by a 2-week home exercise program. Outcomes included clinical (Oswestry Disability Index, numeric pain intensity rating) and mechanistic (lumbar multifidus, erector spinae, and gluteus medius muscle activation) measures at baseline, 2, and 4 weeks. Participants in the DN and SMT groups showed larger effects and statistically significant improvement in pain and disability scores, and muscle percent thickness change at 2 weeks and 4 weeks of treatment when compared to the other groups. This study was registered prior to participant enrollment.</span></p></div><div><h3>Perspective</h3><p>This article presents the process of developing an optimized multimodal treatment plan utilizing SMT, DN, and exercise to address the burden of LBP for impacted individuals and the health care system. This method could potentially help clinicians who treat LBP to lower initial pain and increase exercise compliance. (clinicaltrials.gov NCT05802901)</p></div>","PeriodicalId":51095,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain","volume":"25 8","pages":"Article 104506"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140129893","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}