Disparities in Provider Ordering Practices of Image-Guided Interventions and Surgery for Patients With Low Back Pain: A Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess individual- and neighborhood-level sociodemographic factors associating with providers' ordering of nonpharmacologic treatments for patients with low back pain (LBP), specifically physical therapy, image-guided interventions, and lumbar surgery. METHODS: Our cohort included all patients diagnosed with LBP from 2000 to 2017 in a statewide database of all hospitals and ambulatory surgical facilities within Utah. We compared sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of (1) patients with LBP who received any treatment with those who received none and (2) patients with LBP who received invasive LBP treatments with those who only received noninvasive LBP treatments using the Student's t test, Wilcoxon's rank-sum tests, and Pearson's χ2 tests, as applicable, and two separate multivariate logistic regression models: (1) to determine whether sociodemographic characteristics were risk factors for receiving any LBP treatments and (2) risk factors for receiving invasive LBP treatments. RESULTS: Individuals in the most disadvantaged neighborhoods were less likely to receive any nonpharmacologic treatment orders (odds ratio [OR] 0.74 for most disadvantaged, P < .001) and received fewer invasive therapies (0.92, P = .018). Individual-level characteristics correlating with lower rates of treatment orders were female sex, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander race (OR 0.50, P < .001), Hispanic ethnicity (OR 0.77, P < .001), single or unmarried status (OR 0.69, P < .001), and no insurance or self-pay (OR 0.07, P < .001). CONCLUSION: Neighborhood and individual sociodemographic variables associated with treatment orders for LBP with Area Deprivation Index, sex, race or ethnicity, insurance, and marital status associating with receipt of any treatment, as well as more invasive image-guided interventions and surgery.

Post-lumbar surgery prescription variation and opioid-related outcomes in a large US healthcare system: an observational study.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Spinal decompression and fusion procedures are one of the most common procedures performed in the United States (US) and remain associated with high postsurgical opioid burden. Despite guidelines emphasizing nonopioid pharmacotherapy strategies for postsurgical pain management, prescribing practices are likely variable and guideline-incongruent. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to characterize patient-, care-, and system-level factors associated with opioid, nonopioid pain medication, and benzodiazepine prescribing variation in the US Military Health System (MHS). STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Retrospective study analyzing medical records from the US MHS Data Repository. PATIENT SAMPLE: Adult patients (N=6,625) undergoing lumbar decompression and spinal fusion procedures from 2016 to 2021 in the MHS enrolled in TRICARE at least a year prior to their procedure and had at least one encounter beyond the 90-day postprocedure period, without recent trauma, malignancy, cauda equina syndrome, and co-occurring procedures. OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient-, care-, and system-level factors influencing outcomes of discharge morphine equivalent dose (MED), 30-day opioid refill, and persistent opioid use (POU). POU was defined as dispensing of opioid prescriptions monthly for the first 3 months after surgery and then at least once between 90 and 180 days after surgery. METHODS: (Generalized) linear mixed models evaluated multilevel factors associated with discharge MED, opioid refill, and POU. RESULTS: The median discharge MED was 375 mg (IQR 225, 580) and days' supply was 7 days (IQR 4, 10); 36% received an opioid refill and 5%, overall, met criteria for POU. Discharge MED was associated with fusion procedures (+151-198 mg), multilevel procedures (+26 mg), policy release (-184 mg), opioid naïvty (-31 mg), race (Black -21 mg, another race and ethnicity -47 mg), benzodiazepine receipt (+100 mg), opioid-only medications (+86 mg), gabapentinoid receipt (-20 mg), and nonopioid pain medications receipt (-60 mg). Longer symptom duration, fusion procedures, beneficiary category, mental healthcare, nicotine dependence, benzodiazepine receipt, and opioid naivety were associated with both opioid refill and POU. Multilevel procedures, elevated comorbidity score, policy period, antidepressant receipt, and gabapentinoid receipt, and presurgical physical therapy were also associated with opioid refill. POU increased with increasing discharge MED. CONCLUSIONS: Significant variation in discharge prescribing practices require systems-level, evidence-based intervention.

The Effectiveness of a Mindfulness-Based Intervention Integrated with Physical Therapy (MIND-PT) for Postsurgical Rehabilitation After Lumbar Surgery: A Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial as Part of the Back Pain Consortium (BACPAC) Research Program.

BACKGROUND: Improving pain management for persons with chronic low back pain (LBP) undergoing surgery is an important consideration in improving patient-centered outcomes and reducing the risk of persistent opioid use after surgery. Nonpharmacological treatments, including physical therapy and mindfulness, are beneficial for nonsurgical LBP through complementary biopsychosocial mechanisms, but their integration and application for persons undergoing surgery for LBP have not been examined. This study (MIND-PT) is a multisite randomized trial that compares an enriched pain management (EPM) pathway that integrates physical therapy and mindfulness vs usual-care pain management (UC) for persons undergoing surgery for LBP. DESIGN: Participants from military treatment facilities will be enrolled before surgery and individually randomized to the EPM or UC pain management pathways. Participants assigned to EPM will receive presurgical biopsychosocial education and mindfulness instruction. After surgery, the EPM group will receive 10 sessions of physical therapy with integrated mindfulness techniques. Participants assigned to the UC group will receive usual pain management care after surgery. The primary outcome will be the pain impact, assessed with the Pain, Enjoyment, and General Activity (PEG) scale. Time to opioid discontinuation is the main secondary outcome. SUMMARY: This trial is part of the National Institutes of Health Helping to End Addiction Long-term (HEAL) initiative, which is focused on providing scientific solutions to the opioid crisis. The MIND-PT study will examine an innovative program combining nonpharmacological treatments designed to improve outcomes and reduce opioid overreliance in persons undergoing lumbar surgery.

Associations Between Early Chiropractic Care and Physical Therapy on Subsequent Opioid Use Among Persons With Low Back Pain in Arkansas.

Objective: The objective of this study was to estimate the association between early use of physical therapy (PT) or chiropractic care and incident opioid use and long-term opioid use in individuals with a low back pain (LBP) diagnosis. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from Arkansas All Payers' Claims Database. Adults with incident LBP diagnosed in primary care or emergency departments between July 1, 2013, and June 30, 2017, were identified. Participants were required to be opioid naïve in the 6-month baseline period and without cancer, cauda equina syndrome, osteomyelitis, lumbar fracture, and paraplegia/quadriplegia in the entire study period. PT and chiropractic treatment were documented over the ensuing 30 days starting on the date of LBP. Any opioid use and long-term opioid use (LTOU) in 1-year follow-up were assessed. Multivariable logistic regressions controlling for covariates were estimated. Results: A total of 40 929 individuals were included in the final sample, with an average age of 41 years and 65% being women. Only 5% and 6% received PT and chiropractic service, respectively, within the first 30 days. Sixty-four percent had incident opioid use, and 4% had LTOU in the follow-up period. PT was not associated with incident opioid use (odds ratio [OR], 1.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.98-1.18) or LTOU (OR, 1.19; 95% CI, 0.97-1.45). Chiropractic care decreased the odds of opioid use (OR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.80-0.97) and LTOU (OR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.40-0.77). Conclusion: In this study we found that receipt of chiropractic care, though not PT, may have disrupted the need for opioids and, in particular, LTOU in newly diagnosed LBP.

Relationships between physical therapy intervention and opioid use: A scoping review.

OBJECTIVE: To synthesize available evidence that has examined the relationship between physical therapy (PT) and opioid use. TYPE: Scoping Review LITERATURE SURVEY: Data sources including Google Scholar, Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL were searched for English articles up to October 24, 2019 using terms ("physical therapy"[Title/Abstract] OR physiotherapy[Title/Abstract] OR rehabilitation[Title/Abstract]) AND (opiate*[Title/Abstract] OR opioid*[Title/Abstract]). METHODOLOGY: Included studies evaluated a PT intervention and reported an opioid-use outcome. Data were extracted to describe the PT intervention, patient sample, opioid-use measurement, and results of any time or group comparisons. Study quality was evaluated with Joanna Briggs checklists based on study design. SYNTHESIS: Thirty studies were included that evaluated PT in at least one of these seven categories: interdisciplinary program (n = 8), modalities (n = 3), treatment (n = 3), utilization (n = 2), content (n = 3), timing (n = 13), and location (n = 2). Mixed results were reported for reduced opioid-use after interdisciplinary care and after PT modalities. Utilizing PT was associated with lower odds (ranging from 0.2-0.8) of using opioid medication for persons with low back pain (LBP) and injured workers; however, guideline-adherent care did not further reduce opioid use for persons with LBP. Early PT utilization after index visit for spine or joint pain and after orthopedic surgery was also associated with lower odds of using opioid medications (ranging from 0.27-0.93). Emergency department PT care was not associated with fewer opioid prescriptions than standard emergency department care. PT in a rehabilitation center after total knee replacement was not associated with lower opioid use than inpatient PT. CONCLUSIONS: The relationship between timing of PT and opioid use was evaluated in 13 of 30 studies for a variety of patient populations. Eight of these 13 studies reported a relationship between early PT and reduced subsequent opioid use, making the largest sample of studies in this scoping review with supporting evidence. There is limited and inconclusive evidence to establish whether the content and/or location of PT interventions improves outcomes because of heterogeneity between studies.

Patients' use of physical therapy for lower back pain: A qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify factors that influence a patient's decision to use physical therapy (PT) services for a low back pain (LBP) complaint. METHODS: Semi-structured qualitative phone interviews were conducted with patients who were offered an early outpatient PT visit secondary to patients' primary appointment for LBP with a non-operative sports medicine specialist physician. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed to identify themes using an iterative process. RESULTS: Forty participants were interviewed; 20 accepted early PT services, and 20 did not. Patients' decisions were influenced by perceived provider training, costs, doctor recommendations, wait times, symptoms, and a desire for a diagnosis. Patients preferred the care of non-operative sports medicine doctors over physical therapists for LBP due to their beliefs that favored doctors' diagnosis and management of LBP. Patients perceived exercise as an effective treatment for back pain. Physical therapists were viewed as an adjunct service, despite positive comments about PT and the belief that exercise is one of the most effective treatments for LBP. CONCLUSION: Barriers including costs, patient preferences, and knowledge about physical therapists limited patients' use of PT. Value-based care strategies aimed at improving the management of LBP increasingly promote the early use of PT. For these strategies to be effective, it is critical that patient perceptions and the influence of barriers on PT use are further understood. This study highlights the need to promote confidence in physical therapists' expertise in the management and diagnosis of lower back pain.

The influence of a MOBile-based video Instruction for Low back pain (MOBIL) on initial care decisions made by primary care providers: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Adherence to guidelines for back pain continues to be a challenge, prompting strategies focused on improving education around biopsychosocial frameworks. OBJECTIVE: Assess the influence of an interactive educational mobile app for patients on initial care decisions made for low back pain by the primary care provider. The secondary aim was to compare changes in self-reported pain and function between groups. METHODS: This was a randomized controlled trial involving patients consulting for an initial episode of low back pain. The intervention was a mobile video-based education session (Truth About Low Back Pain) compared to usual care. The app focused on addressing maladaptive beliefs typically associated with higher risk of receiving low-value care options. The primary outcome was initial medical utilization decisions made by primary care practitioners (x-rays, MRIs, opioid prescriptions, injections, procedures) and secondary outcomes included PROMIS pain interference and physical function subscales at 1 and 6 months, and total medical costs. RESULTS: Of 208 participants (71.2% male; mean age 35.4 years), rates of opioid prescriptions, advanced imaging, analgesic patches, spine injections, and physical therapy use were lower in the education group, but the differences were not significant. Total back-related medical costs for 1 year (mean diff = $132; P = 0.63) and none of the 6-month PROMIS subscales were significantly different between groups. Results were no different in opioid-naïve subjects. Instead, prior opioid use and high-risk of poor prognosis on the STarT Back Screening Tool predicted 1-year back pain-related costs and healthcare utilization, regardless of intervention. CONCLUSION: Factors that influence medical treatment decisions and guideline-concordant care are complex. This particular patient education approach directed at patients did not appear to influence healthcare decisions made by primary care providers. Future studies should focus on high-risk populations and/or the impact of including the medical provider as an active part of the educational process. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov NCT02777983 .

Effect of Patient Use of Physical Therapy After Referral for Musculoskeletal Conditions on Future Medical Utilization: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether physical therapy use influenced subsequent use of musculoskeletal-related surgeries, injections, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and other imaging. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients aged 18 to 64 years who had an ambulatory care visit at the University of Utah system, after implementation of the 10th revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems with adequate data collection in the system at the time of the data pull, between October 1, 2015, and September 30, 2018. We identified patients (n = 85 186) who received care for a musculoskeletal condition (lower back pain, cervical, knee, shoulder, hip, elbow, ankle, wrist/hand, thoracic, and arthritis diagnoses). Regression analyses were used to evaluate the association between physical therapy use and medical care use while controlling for relevant factors. RESULTS: In patients referred to physical therapy (n = 15 870), physical therapy use (n = 3812) was associated with increased MRI use (incidence rate ratio, 1.24; 95% confidence interval, 1.15-1.33; P < .001) and surgery use (incidence rate ratio, 1.11; 95% confidence interval, 1.00-1.23; P < .001). Several other factors were also associated with increased health care use, including being referred by an orthopedic provider, obesity, non-lower back pain diagnoses, and having 1 or more comorbidities. CONCLUSION: Outpatient physical therapy use for musculoskeletal conditions in adult patients younger than 65 years at the University of Utah system, a mountain west United States academic health care system, was associated with increased rates of MRI and surgery. This finding is contrary to prior research suggesting that physical therapy improves outcomes in some diagnosis groups. A referral from an orthopedic provider, non-lower back pain diagnoses, and obesity were also associated with increased medical care utilization.

Knowledge, Awareness, and Perceptions of the Diagnosis and Management of Fibromyalgia Among Physical Therapists in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

AIM: To explore awareness of the diagnostic criteria and management of fibromyalgia (FM) among physical therapists practicing in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was distributed electronically among musculoskeletal physical therapists. It was designed based on the research literature relevant to FM and reviewed by two rheumatologists for accuracy and comprehension. The survey included two sections: participants' demographic information and questions related to FM. The data were described using absolute and relative frequencies. RESULTS: A total of 234 physical therapists accepted the invitation to participate in the study, and 52 were excluded for not satisfying the inclusion criteria or not completing the survey. Responses were received from March to May 2020; only 118 (65%) respondents completed the FM section. The average age of the participants was 31.2 (SD=6.9) years, and 36% were females. Eighty percent reported seeing fewer than five patients with FM in the past year; 51% acquired FM-related knowledge through self-learning; half reported having little to no confidence in their FM assessments and management; and less than 20% were familiar with common diagnostic criteria and management guidelines for FM. CONCLUSION: Participating physical therapists showed little awareness of or confidence in the assessment and management of patients with FM; moreover, their awareness was not supported by their adherence to recent FM guidelines. Despite the common practice of referring patients with FM for physical therapy, there are many misconceptions about FM. This study highlights the need for educational programs to provide up-to-date evidence in undergraduate and postgraduate education.

Time Between an Emergency Department Visit and Initiation of Physical Therapist Intervention: Health Care Utilization and Costs.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the association between the length of time between an emergency department (ED) visit and the subsequent initiation of physical therapist intervention for low back pain (LBP) on 1-year LBP-related health care utilization (ie, surgery, advanced imaging, injections, long-term opioid use, ED visits) and costs. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study focused on individuals who consulted the ED for an initial visit for LBP. Claims from a single statewide, all-payers database were used. LBP-related health care use and costs for the 12 months after the ED visit were extracted. Poisson and general linear models weighted with inverse probability treatment weights were used to compare the outcomes of patients who attended physical therapy early or delayed after the ED visit. RESULTS: Compared with the delayed physical therapy group (n = 94), the early physical therapy group (n = 171) had a lower risk of receiving lumbar surgery (relative risk [RR] = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.26-0.86) and advanced imaging (RR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.55-0.95), and they were less likely to have long-term opioid use (RR = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.28-0.76). The early physical therapy group incurred lower costs (mean = $3,806, 95% CI = $1,998-$4,184) than those in the delayed physical therapy group (mean = $8,689, 95% CI = $4,653-$12,727). CONCLUSION: Early physical therapy following an ED visit was associated with a reduced risk of using some types of health care and reduced health care costs in the 12 months following the ED visit. IMPACT STATEMENT: The ED is an entry point into the health care system for patients with LBP. Until now, the impact of the length of time between an ED visit and physical therapy for LBP has not been well understood. This study shows that swift initiation of physical therapy following an ED visit for LBP is associated with lower LBP-related health utilization for some important outcomes and lower LBP-related health care costs.

Factors Associated with Initial Interest and Treatment Selection in Patients with Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Outcomes for operative and nonoperative management of femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) are variable. Understanding factors that inform patients' treatment decisions may optimize their outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To identify factors that predict which patients with FAIS proceed to surgery within 90 days of their initial evaluation by an orthopedic surgeon. The study explored potential predictors of surgical intervention, including demographic factors, activity level, symptom duration, previous treatment, hip function, pain, presence of labral tear, and patient interest in surgical and physical therapy (PT) treatment. DESIGN: Prospective cohort. SETTING: Single-site academic medical center. PATIENTS: Seventy-seven individuals with FAIS. INTERVENTION: After evaluation in a hip preservation clinic, participants reported activity level, symptom duration, treatment history, hip function [Hip Outcome Score Activities of Daily Living(HOS-ADL)], pain severity and location, and treatment interests. These variables were evaluated based on univariate analysis for entry into a multiple binomial logistic regression to identify predictors of surgery within 90 days. Adjusted marginal prevalence ratios and 95% confidence interval estimates (PR [95% CI]) were reported (P ≤ .05). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Ninety-day treatment (surgery or not). RESULTS: Participants indicated initial interest in surgery (n = 27), PT (n = 22), both (n = 18), or neither (n = 10). Those only interested in PT had lower prevalence of diagnosed labral tear (P < .001) and previous PT for the hip (P < .001). Prevalence of previous injection was higher for those only interested in surgery than for those with any interest in PT (P < .001). Thirty-six of 77 participants (46%) underwent surgery within 90 days. Surgical interest (3.56 [1.57, 5.46]), previous hip injection (3.06 [1.73, 3.89]), younger age (0.95 [0.92, 0.98]), and worse hip function (0.97 [0.95, 0.99]) were significant (P ≤ .02) predictors of surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment interest and history, patient function, and age were significantly related to participants' decision to pursue surgical intervention within 90 days. Patient engagement in the decision-making process should include considerations of patient knowledge of, and experience with, the various treatment options.

Short-term Effects of Manual Therapy in Patients After Surgical Fixation of Ankle and/or Hindfoot Fracture: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Patients with surgical fixation of ankle and/or hindfoot fractures often experience decreased range of motion and loss of function following surgery and postsurgical immobilization, yet there is minimal evidence to guide care for these patients. OBJECTIVES: To assess whether manual therapy may provide short-term improvements in range of motion, muscle stiffness, gait, and balance in patients who undergo operative fixation of an ankle and/or hindfoot fracture. METHODS: In this multisite, double-blind randomized clinical trial, 72 consecutive patients who underwent open reduction internal fixation of an ankle and/or hindfoot fracture and were receiving physical therapy treatment of exercise and gait training were randomized to receive either impairment-based manual therapy (manual therapy group) or a sham manual therapy treatment of light soft tissue mobilization and proximal tibiofibular joint mobilizations (control group). Participants in both groups received 3 treatment sessions over 7 to 10 days, and outcomes were assessed immediately post intervention. Outcomes included ankle joint range of motion, muscle stiffness, gait characteristics, and balance measures. Group-by-time effects were compared using linear mixed modeling. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the manual therapy and control groups for range of motion, gait, or balance outcomes. There was a significant difference from baseline to the final follow-up in resting gastrocnemius muscle stiffness between the manual therapy and control groups (-47.9 N/m; 95% confidence interval: -86.1, -9.8; P = .01). There was no change in muscle stiffness for the manual therapy group between baseline and final follow-up, whereas muscle stiffness increased in the control group by 6.4%. CONCLUSION: A brief course of manual therapy consisting of 3 treatment sessions over 7 to 10 days did not lead to better short-term improvement than the application of sham manual therapy for most clinical outcomes in patients after ankle and/or hindfoot fracture who were already being treated with exercise and gait training. Our results, however, suggest that manual therapy might decrease aberrant resting muscle stiffness after ankle and/or hindfoot surgical fixation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapy, level 2. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2019;49(5):310-319. Epub 13 Feb 2019. doi:10.2519/jospt.2019.8864.

The Influence of a Guideline-Concordant Stepped Care Approach on Downstream Health Care Utilization in Patients with Spine and Shoulder Pain.

BACKGROUND: Stepped care approaches are emphasized in guidelines for musculoskeletal pain, recommending less invasive or risky evidence-based intervention, such as manual therapy (MT), before more aggressive interventions such as opioid prescriptions. The order and timing of care can alter recovery trajectories. OBJECTIVE: To compare one-year downstream health care utilization in patients with spine or shoulder disorders who received only MT vs MT and opioids. The secondary aim was to compare differences based on order and timing of opioids and MT. DESIGN: Retrospective observational cohort. METHODS: Patients with an initial consultation for a spine or shoulder disorder who received at least one visit for MT were included. Person-level data from the Military Health System Management and Reporting Tool (M2) database were aggregated by a senior health care analyst at Madigan Army Medical Center. Groups were created based on the order and timing of interventions provided. Outcomes included health care utilization (medical costs and visits) over the year following initial consultation. Control measures included metabolic, mental health, chronic pain, sleep, and substance abuse comorbidities, as well as prior opioid prescriptions. Generalized linear models with gamma log links were run due to the heavily skewed nature of cost data. RESULTS: From 1,876 unique patients with spine or shoulder disorders receiving MT, 1,162 (61.9%) also received prescription opioids. Mean one-year costs in the MT-only group ($5,410, 95% confidence interval [CI] = $5,109 to $5,730) were significantly lower than in the MT+opioid group ($10,498, 95% CI = $10,043 to $10,973). When patients had both treatments, mean one-year costs in the MT-first ($10,782, 95% CI = $10,050 to $11,567) were significantly lower (P = 0.030) than opioid-first ($11,938, 95% CI = $11,272 to $12,643), and MT-first had a significantly lower mean days' supply of opioids (34.2 vs 70.9, P < 0.001) and mean number of unique opioid prescriptions (3.1 vs 6.5, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: MT alone resulted in lower downstream costs than with opioid prescriptions. Both the order of treatment (MT before opioid prescriptions) and the timing of treatment (MT < 30 days) resulted in a significant reduction of resources (costs, visits, and opioid utilization) in the year after initial consultation. Clinicians should consider the implications of first-choice decisions and the timing of care for treatment choices utilized for patients with spine and shoulder disorders.

The effectiveness of training physical therapists in pain neuroscience education on patient reported outcomes for patients with chronic spinal pain: a study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Chronic spinal pain affects many in the United States and is associated with rising healthcare costs - but not improved outcomes. Education and self-care promotion are hallmarks of the recommended approach for this condition. Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE) is a method of educating patients about the neurophysiology of pain that aims to reconceptualize pain from an indicator of damage to an interpretation of input signals by the brain and nervous system. PNE has shown efficacy in controlled situations when delivered by experts, but its effectiveness has not been investigated among trained clinicians in a pragmatic setting. METHODS: A cluster randomized trial will randomly assign 16 clinic regions to either receive PNE training or continue with usual care. Patients with chronic neck or back pain will be enrolled to provide outcome data. Measures will be collected at baseline, 2 weeks, and 12 weeks. The primary outcome will be the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Physical Function computer-adapted test (PF-CAT). Pre-specified statistical analyses will compare outcomes between clinic regions assigned to PNE treatment or usual care while using random effects to account for region-level clustering. DISCUSSION: Pain Neuroscience Education has been shown efficacious for a variety of patient-centered outcomes for those with chronic pain, but it has not yet been investigated outside of controlled settings. This trial has the potential to promote PNE as a low-cost intervention for chronic spinal pain and affect physical therapy education. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT03168165 , registered May 30, 2017.

Associations Between Physical Therapy Continuity of Care and Health Care Utilization and Costs in Patients With Low Back Pain: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Patients who consult a physical therapist for low back pain (LBP) may receive initial and subsequent management from different therapists. The impact that physical therapy provider continuity has on health care use in patients with LBP is insufficiently studied. Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the impact of continuity of the physical therapy provider on health care use and costs in patients with LBP referred from primary care. Design: The study design included a retrospective analysis of claims data. Methods: Data from an all-payer claims database were examined. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between physical therapy provider continuity and health care use during the 1-year period following a visit with a primary care provider for LBP. Results: Patients who experienced greater physical therapy provider continuity had a decreased likelihood of receiving lumbar surgery. They also paid less (mean = ${\$}$1737 [95% confidence interval, ${\$}$1602-${\$}$1871]) than those who experienced less physical therapy provider continuity (mean = ${\$}$2577 [95% confidence interval, ${\$}$2008-${\$}$3145]). Limitations: The degree of causality between any predictor and outcome variables cannot be determined due to the observational nature of the study. Conclusions: Greater continuity of the physical therapy provider appears to be associated with a decreased likelihood of surgical treatment for LBP and lower health care costs related to LBP.

Timing of initiating manual therapy and therapeutic exercises in the management of patients after hindfoot fractures: a randomized controlled trial.

STUDY DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial. BACKGROUND: Patients with fractures to the talus and calcaneus report decreased functional outcomes and develop long-term functional limitations. Although physical therapy is typically not initiated until six weeks after fixation, there's little research on the optimal time to initiate a formal physical therapy program. OBJECTIVES: To assess whether initiating physical therapy including range of motion (ROM) and manual therapy two weeks post-operatively (EARLY) vs. six weeks post-operatively (LATE) in patients with fixation for hindfoot fractures results in different clinical outcomes. METHODS: Fifty consecutive participants undergoing operative fixation of a hindfoot fracture were randomized to either EARLY or LATE physical therapy. Outcomes, including the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society Hindfoot Scale (AOFAS), the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), active ROM, swelling, and pain, were collected at three and six months and analyzed using linear mixed-modeling to examine change over time. Adverse events were tracked for 12 months after surgery. RESULTS: The EARLY group demonstrated significantly larger improvements for the AOFAS (p = .01) and the LEFS (p = .01) compared to the LATE group. Pairwise comparison of the LEFS favors the EARLY group at 6 months [7.5 (95%CI -.01 to 15.0), p = .05]. There were no differences between the groups with regard to ROM, pain, and swelling. The LATE group incurred increased adverse events in this study. CONCLUSION: Initiating early physical therapy may improve long-term outcomes and mitigate complications in patients after hindfoot fractures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapy, level 2b.

The Fear Avoidance Model predicts short-term pain and disability following lumbar disc surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the prognostic value of the Fear Avoidance Model (FAM) variables when predicting pain intensity and disability 10-weeks postoperative following lumbar disc surgery. METHODS: We recruited patients scheduled for first-time, single level lumbar disc surgery. The following aspects of the FAM were assessed at preoperative baseline and after 10 postoperative weeks: numeric pain rating scale (0-10) for leg and back pain intensity separately, Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Oswestry Disability Questionnaire (ODI), and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Multivariate regression models were used to examine the best combination of baseline FAM variables to predict the 10-week leg pain, back pain, and disability. All multivariate models were adjusted for age and sex. RESULTS: 60 patients (30 females, mean [SD] age = 40.4 [9.5]) were enrolled. All FAM measures correlated with disability at baseline. Adding FAM variables to each of the stepwise multiple linear regression model explained a significant amount of the variance in disability (Adj. R2 = .38, p < .001), leg pain intensity (Adj. R2 = .25, p = .001), and back pain intensity Adj. R2 = .32, p < .001 at 10-weeks). After adjusting for age and gender, BDI and FABQ-work subscale were the only significant predictors added to each of the prediction models for the 10-week clinical outcome (leg pain, back pain, and ODI). CONCLUSION: BDI and FABQ-work subscale variables are associated with baseline pain intensity and disability and predict short-term pain and disability following lumbar disc surgery. Measuring these variables in patients being considered for lumbar disc surgery may improve patient outcome.

Prevention and treatment of low back pain: evidence, challenges, and promising directions.

Many clinical practice guidelines recommend similar approaches for the assessment and management of low back pain. Recommendations include use of a biopsychosocial framework to guide management with initial non-pharmacological treatment, including education that supports self-management and resumption of normal activities and exercise, and psychological programmes for those with persistent symptoms. Guidelines recommend prudent use of medication, imaging, and surgery. The recommendations are based on trials almost exclusively from high-income countries, focused mainly on treatments rather than on prevention, with limited data for cost-effectiveness. However, globally, gaps between evidence and practice exist, with limited use of recommended first-line treatments and inappropriately high use of imaging, rest, opioids, spinal injections, and surgery. Doing more of the same will not reduce back-related disability or its long-term consequences. The advances with the greatest potential are arguably those that align practice with the evidence, reduce the focus on spinal abnormalities, and ensure promotion of activity and function, including work participation. We have identified effective, promising, or emerging solutions that could offer new directions, but that need greater attention and further research to determine if they are appropriate for large-scale implementation. These potential solutions include focused strategies to implement best practice, the redesign of clinical pathways, integrated health and occupational interventions to reduce work disability, changes in compensation and disability claims policies, and public health and prevention strategies.

Nonsurgical Treatment Choices by Individuals with Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Herniation in the United States: Associations with Long-term Outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to (1) evaluate differences between patients with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation who received physical therapy (PT) and those who did not; (2) identify factors associated with receiving PT; and (3) examine the influence of PT on clinical outcomes over the course of 1 yr. DESIGN: An observational cohort study using data from the Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial was conducted. This study included 363 patients with intervertebral disc herniation who received nonsurgical management within 6 wks of enrollment. Baseline characteristics were compared between patients who received PT and those who did not. Multivariate logistic regression examined factors predictive of patients receiving PT. Mixed effects models were used to compare primary outcomes (Short-Form Survey 36 bodily pain and physical function and modified Oswestry Index) at 3 and 6 mos and 1 yr after enrollment. RESULTS: Forty percent of the nonsurgical cohort received PT. Higher disability scores, neurological deficit, and patient preference predicted PT use. Compared with other nonsurgical management strategies, standard care PT was not associated with a significant difference in pain, disability, or surgery over 1 yr. CONCLUSIONS: Many patients with intervertebral disc herniation seek secondary care for persisting symptoms and pursue nonsurgical management. The best management strategy is unclear and further research is needed to examine appropriate sequencing and selection of treatment.

Influence of Initial Provider on Health Care Utilization in Patients Seeking Care for Neck Pain.

OBJECTIVE: To examine patients seeking care for neck pain to determine associations between the type of provider initially consulted and 1-year health care utilization. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort of 1702 patients (69.25% women, average age, 45.32±14.75 years) with a new episode of neck pain who consulted a primary care provider, physical therapist (PT), chiropractor (DC), or specialist from January 1, 2012, to June 30, 2013, was analyzed. Descriptive statistics were calculated for each group, and subsequent 1-year health care utilization of imaging, opioids, surgery, and injections was compared between groups. RESULTS: Compared with initial primary care provider consultation, patients consulting with a DC or PT had decreased odds of being prescribed opioids within 1 year from the index visit (DC: adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.54; 95% CI, 0.39-0.76; PT: aOR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.44-0.78). Patients consulting with a DC additionally demonstrated decreased odds of advanced imaging (aOR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.15-0.76) and injections (aOR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.19-0.56). Initiating care with a specialist or PT increased the odds of advanced imaging (specialist: aOR, 2.96; 95% CI, 2.01-4.38; PT: aOR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.01-2.46), but only initiating care with a specialist increased the odds of injections (aOR, 3.21; 95% CI, 2.31-4.47). CONCLUSION: Initially consulting with a nonpharmacological provider may decrease opioid exposure (PT and DC) over the next year and also decrease advanced imaging and injections (DC only). These data provide an initial indication of how following recent practice guidelines may influence health care utilization in patients with a new episode of neck pain.