Boosting treatment outcomes via the patient-practitioner relationship, treatment-beliefs or therapeutic setting. A systematic review with meta-analysis of contextual effects in chronic musculoskeletal pain.

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain whether manipulating contextual effects (e.g. interaction with patients, or beliefs about treatments) boosted the outcomes of non-pharmacological and non-surgicaltreatments for chronic primary musculoskeletal pain. DESIGN: Systematic review of randomized controlled trials. DATA SOURCES: We searched for trials in six databases, citation tracking, and clinical trials registers. We included trials that compared treatments with enhanced contextual effects with the same treatments without enhancement in adults with chronic primary musculoskeletal pain. DATA SYNTHESIS: The outcomes of interest were pain intensity, physical functioning, global ratings of improvement, quality of life, depression, anxiety, and sleep. We evaluated risk of bias and certainty of the evidence using Cochrane Risk of Bias tool 2.0 and the GRADE approach, respectively. RESULTS: Of 17637 records, we included 10 trials with 990 participants and identified 5 ongoing trials. The treatments were acupuncture, education, exercise training, and physical therapy. The contextual effects that were improved in the enhanced treatments were patient-practitioner relationship, patient beliefs and characteristics, therapeutic setting/environment, and treatment characteristics. Our analysis showed that improving contextual effects in non-pharmacological and non-surgical treatments may not make much difference on pain intensity (mean difference [MD] : -1.77, 95%-CI: [-8.71; 5.16], k = 7 trials, N = 719 participants, Scale: 0-100, GRADE: Low)) or physical functioning (MD: -0.27, 95%-CI: [-1.02; 0.49], 95%-PI: [-2.04; 1.51], k = 6 , N = 567, Scale: 0-10, GRADE: Low) in the short-term and at later follow-ups. Sensitivity analyses revealed similar findings. CONCLUSION: Whilst evidence gaps exist, per current evidence it may not be possible to achieve meaningful benefit for patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain by manipulating the context of non-pharmacological and non-surgical treatments. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This systematic review was prospectively registered in PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42023391601).

The Impact of Exercise Prescription Variables on Intervention Outcomes in Musculoskeletal Pain: An Umbrella Review of Systematic Reviews.

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal pain conditions are the largest contributors to disability and healthcare burden globally. Exercise interventions improve physical function and quality of life in individuals with musculoskeletal pain, yet optimal exercise prescription variables (e.g. duration, frequency, intensity) are unclear. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to examine evidence gaps, methodological quality and exercise prescription recommendations in systematic reviews of exercise for musculoskeletal pain. METHODS: In our prospectively registered umbrella review, PubMed, SPORTDiscus, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, EMBASE, and CINAHL were searched from inception to 14 February 2023. Backward citation tracking was performed. We included peer-reviewed, English language, systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and controlled clinical trials (CCTs) that compared exercise with conservative treatment, placebo or other exercise interventions in adults with musculoskeletal pain. Data were extracted from the following groups of reviews based on their reporting of exercise prescription data and analysis of the relationship between prescription variables and outcomes: (1) those that did not report any exercise prescription data, (2) those that reported exercise prescription data but did not perform a quantitative analysis and (3) those that performed a quantitative analysis of the relationship between exercise prescription variables and outcomes. Outcome measures were physical function, pain, mental health, adverse effects and adherence to treatment. AMSTAR-2 (A MeaSurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews) was used to assess methodological quality. RESULTS: From 6757 records, 274 systematic reviews were included. 6.6% of reviews did not report any exercise prescription data, and only 10.9% quantitatively analyzed the relationship between prescription variables and the outcome(s). The overall methodological quality was critically low in 85% of reviews. CONCLUSION: High methodological quality evidence is lacking for optimal exercise training prescription variables in individuals with musculoskeletal pain. To better inform practice and evidence gaps, future systematic reviews should (1) identify optimum exercise prescription variables, for example, via dose-response (network) meta-analysis, (2) perform high-quality reviews per AMSTAR-2 criteria and (3) include outcomes of mental health, adverse events and exercise adherence. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42021287440 ( https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021287440 ).

Does adding exercise or physical activity to pharmacological osteoporosis therapy in patients with increased fracture risk improve bone mineral density and lower fracture risk? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

This prospectively registered systematic review and meta-analysis examines whether exercise (EX) training has an additive effect to osteoanabolic and/or antiresorptive pharmacological therapy (PT) in people with osteoporosis on bone mineral density (BMD), bone turnover markers (BTMs), fracture healing, and fractures. Four databases (inception to 6 May 2022), 5 trial registries, and reference lists were searched. Included were randomized controlled trials comparing the effect of EX + PT vs. PT with regard to BMD, BTM, fracture healing, and fractures. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane RoB2 and certainty of evidence by the GRADE approach. Random-effects meta-analysis with Hartung-Knapp-Sidik-Jonkman adjustment was used to estimate standardized mean differences and 95% confidence intervals. Out of 2593 records, five RCTs with 530 participants were included. Meta-analysis showed with very low certainty evidence and wide confidence intervals that EX + PT compared to PT had larger effect sizes for BMD at 12 months at the hip (SMD [95%CI]: 0.18 [- 1.71; 2.06], n = 3 studies), tibia (0.25 [- 4.85; 5.34], n = 2), lumbar spine (0.20 [- 1.15; 1.55], n = 4), and forearm (0.05 [- 0.35; 0.46], n = 3), but not femoral neck (- 0.03 [- 1.80; 1.75], n = 3). Furthermore, no improvement was revealed for BTM such as bone ALP (- 0.68 [- 5.88; 4.53], n = 3), PINP (- 0.74 [- 10.42; 8.93], n = 2), and CTX-I (- 0.69 [- 9.61; 8.23], n = 2), but with very wide confidence intervals. Three potentially relevant ongoing trials were identified via registries. No data were found for fracture healing or fracture outcomes. It remains unclear whether EX has an additive impact to PT in people with osteoporosis. High-quality, adequately powered, targetted RCTs are required. PROTOCOL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42022336132.

Good Scientific Practice and Ethics in Sports and Exercise Science: A Brief and Comprehensive Hands-on Appraisal for Sports Research.

Sports and exercise training research is constantly evolving to maintain, improve, or regain psychophysical, social, and emotional performance. Exercise training research requires a balance between the benefits and the potential risks. There is an inherent risk of scientific misconduct and adverse events in most sports; however, there is a need to minimize it. We aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the clinical and ethical challenges in sports and exercise research. We also enlist solutions to improve method design in clinical trials and provide checklists to minimize the chances of scientific misconduct. At the outset, historical milestones of exercise science literature are summarized. It is followed by details about the currently available regulations that help to reduce the risk of violating good scientific practices. We also outline the unique characteristics of sports-related research with a narrative of the major differences between sports and drug-based trials. An emphasis is then placed on the importance of well-designed studies to improve the interpretability of results and generalizability of the findings. This review finally suggests that sports researchers should comply with the available guidelines to improve the planning and conduct of future research thereby reducing the risk of harm to research participants. The authors suggest creating an oath to prevent malpractice, thereby improving the knowledge standards in sports research. This will also aid in deriving more meaningful implications for future research based on high-quality, ethically sound evidence.

Physical modalities with eccentric exercise are no better than eccentric exercise alone in the treatment of chronic achilles tendinopathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the available evidence and conduct a systematic review with meta-analysis to determine the effectiveness of physical modalities combined with eccentric exercise (PMEE) with eccentric exercise (EE) alone for improvements in pain and function in individuals with chronic Achilles tendinopathy (AT) at short-term (4 weeks) and long-term (12-16 weeks) follow-ups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic literature review identified 8 papers (from 6404 possible inclusions) that allowed the comparison of PMEE with EE alone, in the treatment of chronic AT. We extracted the mean and standard deviations for Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment Achilles Tendinopathy (VISA-A), Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), and load-induced pain (NRS). Standardized mean difference (SMD) of the included variables was presented, and all the studies had low risk of bias. RESULTS: Non-significant results were achieved for short-term (pooled SMD = 0.03; 95% CI= -0.46 to 0.53, p = 0.89, I2 = 60%) and long- term follow-ups (pooled SMD =0.43; 95% CI= -0.05 to 0.92, p = 0.08, I2 = 82%) of VISA-A. Short-term (pooled SMD = -0.16; 95% CI= -0.72 to 0.40, p = 0.57, I2 = 40%) and long-term (pooled SMD = -0.39;95% CI= -1.11 to 0.32, p = 0.28, I2 = 62%) follow-up analysis of NPRS and long-term(pooled SMD = -0.46; 95% CI= -1.08 to 0.15, p = 0.14, I2 = 74%) follow-up of load induced pain also demonstrated non-significant improvements when comparing two groups. CONCLUSION: Meta- analysis of the results published in the 8 papers that met theinclusion criteria showed no significant differences between PMEE and EE, in terms of load-induced pain (NRS) and numerical pain rating scales (NPRS) at 4 and 12-16 weeks. Thus, the meta-analysis reflects the other cited published work that PMEE shows no greater advantage than EE in the treatment of Chronic Achilles Tendinopathy.

Cervical spine and muscle adaptation after spaceflight and relationship to herniation risk: protocol from 'Cervical in Space' trial.

BACKGROUND: Astronauts have a higher risk of cervical intervertebral disc herniation. Several mechanisms have been attributed as causative factors for this increased risk. However, most of the previous studies have examined potential causal factors for lumbar intervertebral disc herniation only. Hence, we aim to conduct a study to identify the various changes in the cervical spine that lead to an increased risk of cervical disc herniation after spaceflight. METHODS: A cohort study with astronauts will be conducted. The data collection will involve four main components: a) Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); b) cervical 3D kinematics; c) an Integrated Protocol consisting of maximal and submaximal voluntary contractions of the neck muscles, endurance testing of the neck muscles, neck muscle fatigue testing and questionnaires; and d) dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) examination. Measurements will be conducted at several time points before and after astronauts visit the International Space Station. The main outcomes of interest are adaptations in the cervical discs, muscles and bones. DISCUSSION: Astronauts are at higher risk of cervical disc herniation, but contributing factors remain unclear. The results of this study will inform future preventive measures for astronauts and will also contribute to the understanding of intervertebral disc herniation risk in the cervical spine for people on Earth. In addition, we anticipate deeper insight into the aetiology of neck pain with this research project. TRIAL REGISTRATION: German Clinical Trials Register, DRKS00026777. Registered on 08 October 2021.

Effects of plyometric and whole-body vibration on physical performance in collegiate basketball players: a crossover randomized trial.

While many studies suggested the isolated effects of plyometric and whole-body vibration exercises on physical performance variables, only few studies have compared the acute effects of plyometric and whole-body vibration on the occurrence of post-activation potentiation and the resultant improvements in performance. Therefore, we aimed to compare the acute effects of plyometric exercises and whole-body vibration training on physical performance in collegiate basketball players. Twenty-four collegiate male basketball players (age 20.8 ± 2.02 years, height 1.79 ± 0.7 m, and weight 71.2 ± 7.6 kg) participated in this randomized crossover study. Subjects were received both plyometric and whole-body vibration exercises after a 48-h washed-out period. Countermovement Jump height, sprint, and agility time were measured at baseline, 4- and 12-min post-plyometric, and whole-body vibration exercises. The result suggests a positive effect of both the plyometric and whole-body vibration exercises on countermovement jump and agility time (p = 0.001). While the countermovement jump height and agility were higher in the plyometric group (mean difference 1.60 cm and 0.16 s, respectively), the sprint performance was higher in the whole-body vibration group. However, these differences were statistically non-significant between the two groups (p > 0.05). This study suggests that both plyometric and whole-body vibration exercises may improve post-activation potentiation, which leads to better physical performance.Trial registration CTRI/2019/05/019059. Registered with the Clinical trials registry, India on 10/05/2019. http://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/advsearch.php .

Network meta-analysis for comparative effectiveness of treatments for chronic low back pain disorders: systematic review protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic low back pain disorders (CLBDs) present a substantial societal burden; however, optimal treatment remains debated. To date, pairwise and network meta-analyses have evaluated individual treatment modes, yet a comparison of a wide range of common treatments is required to evaluate their relative effectiveness. Using network meta-analysis, we aim to evaluate the effectiveness of treatments (acupuncture, education or advice, electrophysical agents, exercise, manual therapies/manipulation, massage, the McKenzie method, pharmacotherapy, psychological therapies, surgery, epidural injections, percutaneous treatments, traction, physical therapy, multidisciplinary pain management, placebo, 'usual care' and/or no treatment) on pain intensity, disability and/or mental health in patients with CLBDs. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Six electronic databases and reference lists of 285 prior systematic reviews were searched. Eligible studies will be randomised controlled/clinical trials (including cross-over and cluster designs) that examine individual treatments or treatment combinations in adult patients with CLBDs. Studies must be published in English, German or Chinese as a full-journal publication in a peer-reviewed journal. A narrative approach will be used to synthesise and report qualitative and quantitative data, and, where feasible, network meta-analyses will be performed. Reporting of the review will be informed by Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidance, including the network meta-analysis extension (PRISMA-NMA). The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach for network meta-analysis will be implemented for assessing the quality of the findings. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval is not required for this systematic review of the published data. Findings will be disseminated via peer-reviewed publication. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: PROSPERO registration number CRD42020182039.

Effects of combined whole body vibration and resistance training on lower quadrants electromyographic activity, muscle strength and power in athletes.

BACKGROUND: Whole body vibration (WBV) with resistance training is one of the increasing ways of gaining ankle and foot complex muscle strength and power for the rehabilitative and prophylactic purpose in athletes. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to compare the effects of combined WBV and resistance training (RVE) with strength training alone (RE) on alteration of gastrocnemius lateralis and vastus medialis obliquus muscle activity and strength, and power performance in athletes. METHODS: The study was performed on 23 university-level male athletes who were randomized into two groups as RVE (n = 12; age 22.2 ± 1.94 years) and RE (n = 11; age 21.60 ± 1.78 years). The training program was scheduled three times per week for six weeks (18 sessions). Gastrocnemius lateralis (GL) and vastus medialis obliquus (VMO) were measured for muscle activity and isometric strength with surface EMG device and handheld dynamometer respectively. Counter-movement jump (CMJ) was used for measuring power. All the participants were assessed for outcome measures at baseline and then after 6 weeks. Group (RVE vs. RE) by time (pre vs. post) effects were compared through a 2-way interaction utilizing mixed model repeated measure ANOVA. RESULTS: After training, VMO muscle activity (group effects) increased significantly in the RVE group (p < 0.05). However, both the groups showed statistically significant time and group × time interaction effects for muscle activity of VMO, isometric strength (VMO and GL), and CMJ (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: WBV might serve as an adjunct modality for enhancement of the neuromuscular activity of the VMO muscle. However, RVE had no additive effect when compared to RE alone on muscle strength and power in athletes. The long-term impacts of combined WBV and resistance training on other foot and ankles muscle should be investigated in future studies.