Systematic Review Procedures for the World Health Organization (WHO) Evidence Syntheses on Benefits and Harms of Structured and Standardized Education/Advice, Structured Exercise Programs, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), and Needling Therapies for the Management of Chronic Low Back Pain in Adults.

As commissioned by the WHO, we updated and expanded the scope of four systematic reviews to inform its (in development) clinical practice guideline for the management of CPLBP in adults, including older adults. Methodological details and results of each review are described in the respective articles in this series. In the last article of this series, we discuss methodological considerations, clinical implications and recommendations for future research.

Systematic Review to Inform a World Health Organization (WHO) Clinical Practice Guideline: Benefits and Harms of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) for Chronic Primary Low Back Pain in Adults.

PURPOSE: To evaluate benefits and harms of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for chronic primary low back pain (CPLBP) in adults to inform a World Health Organization (WHO) standard clinical guideline. METHODS: We searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from various electronic databases from July 1, 2007 to March 9, 2022. Eligible RCTs targeted TENS compared to placebo/sham, usual care, no intervention, or interventions with isolated TENS effects (i.e., combined TENS with treatment B versus treatment B alone) in adults with CPLBP. We extracted outcomes requested by the WHO Guideline Development Group, appraised the risk of bias, conducted meta-analyses where appropriate, and graded the certainty of evidence using GRADE. RESULTS: Seventeen RCTs (adults, n = 1027; adults ≥ 60 years, n = 28) out of 2010 records and 89 full text RCTs screened were included. The evidence suggested that TENS resulted in a marginal reduction in pain compared to sham (9 RCTs) in the immediate term (2 weeks) (mean difference (MD) = -0.90, 95% confidence interval -1.54 to -0.26), and a reduction in pain catastrophizing in the short term (3 months) with TENS versus no intervention or interventions with TENS specific effects (1 RCT) (MD = -11.20, 95% CI -17.88 to -3.52). For other outcomes, little or no difference was found between TENS and the comparison interventions. The certainty of the evidence for all outcomes was very low. CONCLUSIONS: Based on very low certainty evidence, TENS resulted in brief and marginal reductions in pain (not deemed clinically important) and a short-term reduction in pain catastrophizing in adults with CPLBP, while little to no differences were found for other outcomes.

Systematic Review to Inform a World Health Organization (WHO) Clinical Practice Guideline: Benefits and Harms of Needling Therapies for Chronic Primary Low Back Pain in Adults.

PURPOSE: Evaluate benefits and harms of needling therapies (NT) for chronic primary low back pain (CPLBP) in adults to inform a World Health Organization (WHO) standard clinical guideline. METHODS: Electronic databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing NT compared with placebo/sham, usual care, or no intervention (comparing interventions where the attributable effect could be isolated). We conducted meta-analyses where indicated and graded the certainty of evidence. RESULTS: We screened 1831 citations and 109 full text RCTs, yeilding 37 RCTs. The certainty of evidence was low or very low across all included outcomes. There was little or no difference between NT and comparisons across most outcomes; there may be some benefits for certain outcomes. Compared with sham, NT improved health-related quality of life (HRQoL) (physical) (2 RCTs; SMD = 0.20, 95%CI 0.07; 0.32) at 6 months. Compared with no intervention, NT reduced pain at 2 weeks (21 RCTs; MD = - 1.21, 95%CI - 1.50; - 0.92) and 3 months (9 RCTs; MD = - 1.56, 95%CI - 2.80; - 0.95); and reduced functional limitations at 2 weeks (19 RCTs; SMD = - 1.39, 95%CI - 2.00; - 0.77) and 3 months (8 RCTs; SMD = - 0.57, 95%CI - 0.92; - 0.22). In older adults, NT reduced functional limitations at 2 weeks (SMD = - 1.10, 95%CI - 1.71; - 0.48) and 3 months (SMD = - 1.04, 95%CI - 1.66; - 0.43). Compared with usual care, NT reduced pain (MD = - 1.35, 95%CI - 1.86; - 0.84) and functional limitations (MD = - 2.55, 95%CI - 3.70; - 1.40) at 3 months. CONCLUSION: Based on low to very low certainty evidence, adults with CPLBP experienced some benefits in pain, functioning, or HRQoL with NT; however, evidence showed little to no differences for other outcomes.

Exploring clinician perceptions of a care pathway for the management of shoulder pain: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Clinical care pathways may be useful tools to improve the quality of healthcare by facilitating the translation of evidence into practice. Our study is situated within a larger project, whereby end-users co-developed a care pathway for the management of shoulder pain. In this study, we explored end-user perceptions of the usefulness and practicality of implementing a care pathway to manage shoulder pain. We also solicited feedback for the pathway's improvement. METHODS: We conducted a qualitative study using a transcendental phenomenological approach seen through a constructivist lens. Clinicians recorded themselves interacting with the care pathway while working through a clinical case. Clinicians described their thoughts and movements aloud as they completed the activity. Second, we conducted individual semi-structured interviews to discuss the usefulness and practicality of pathway implementation. Interview transcripts were coded independently by reviewers. Transcript codes and associated quotes were grouped into themes. Themes were sequenced and linked creating a 'web' of thematic connections. Summary statements were developed to synthesize the overall essence of the phenomena. RESULTS: Nine clinicians participated. Participants included eight chiropractors and one medical physician. We found that clinicians believed the care pathway could be useful at various levels, including education (students, interns), for early career clinicians, for engaging patients, facilitating interprofessional communication, and as a reminder of information for certain, less familiar conditions. When discussing the practicality of implementing the care pathway into practice settings, clinicians expressed that agreement with the care pathway and its recommendations may influence its acceptability among clinicians. Additionally, integrating recommendations into practice may be a skill requirement included into clinical training. Clinicians described the importance of opinion leaders in the acceptability of new evidence. Various difficulties with the replicability of interventions into clinical care was also discussed. In general, clinicians suggested the layout of the care pathway was manageable, and there was sufficient information for clinical decision-making. Clinicians also made several recommendations for improvement. CONCLUSIONS: End-user involvement and collaboration provides tangible instruction to improve care pathways themselves, their implementation strategies and helps to support and strengthen future research for overcoming individual, systemic and contextual barriers.

Brief action planning to facilitate the management of acute low back pain with radiculopathy and yellow flags: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Brief action planning (BAP) is a collaborative tool to support patients' self-management goal setting and action planning. BAP facilitates patient self-reflection, and provides opportunity to establish goals of their own priority. CASE PRESENTATION: A 55 year-old female with recentonset low back pain with L5 nerve root distribution, described severe pain in the low back and sharp pain and tingle-sensations down to her right foot. Pain worsened with sitting, coughing, and bending. She was diagnosed with lumbar and other intervertebral disc disorder with radiculopathy (ICD 10: M51.1). TREATMENT: Initial treatment included reassurance, education, promotion of movement, and manual therapies. Symptoms worsened at the eighth visit (five weeks) where she also demonstrated pain-catastrophizing behaviours and an over-reliance on passive treatment strategies (i.e., psychosocial factors or yellow flags). BAP was introduced into her treatment plan to set achievable goals for her care. OUTCOME: Decreased pain and disability were reported after incorporating BAP into care. Reduced pain-catastrophizing and reduced over-dependence on passive strategies were also demonstrated. Clinical gains were sustained at the 10-week follow-up assessment. KEY CLINICAL MESSAGE: We describe the utilization of brief action planning as a technique for improving adherence to evidence-based clinical practice guideline recommendations in a patient with acute low back pain and radiculopathy, and late-onset psychosocial factors.

INTRODUCTION: L'outil collaboratif Brief action planning (BAP) sert à aider les patients à se fixer des objectifs et à prévoir leurs interventions. Il favorise l'autoréflexion du patient tout en lui permettant d'établir des objectifs selon l'ordre de priorité qu'il établit lui-même. PRÉSENTATION DU CAS: Une femme de 55 ans souffrant d'une lombalgie d'apparition récente, accompagnée d'une douleur selon la distribution de la racine nerveuse L5, se plaignait d'une douleur lombaire intense, d'une douleur aiguë et de picotements jusqu'au pied droit. La douleur s'aggravait en s'assoyant, en toussant et en se penchant. On lui a diagnostiqué un trouble du disque intervertébral lombaire avec radiculopathie (CIM 10: M51.1). TRAITEMENT: On a commencé par réconforter la patiente, l'informer, favoriser le mouvement et à administrer des thérapies manuelles. Ses symptômes se sont aggravés à partir de la huitième consultation (au bout de cinq semaines). Elle a commencé à dramatiser sa douleur et à trop compter sur des stratégies de traitement passives (c'est-à-dire intervention sur les facteurs de risque psychosociaux (qu'on appelle aussi « drapeaux jaunes ¼)). On a utilisé le BAP pour qu'elle puisse se fixer des objectifs thérapeutiques réalisables. RÉSULTAT: On a observé une diminution de la douleur et de l'incapacité après le début de l'utilisation du BAP. On a aussi noté une réduction de la dramatisation de la douleur et de la dépendance excessive envers les stratégies passives. La patiente a continué à faire des gains jusqu'à l'examen de suivi, à la 10e semaine. MESSAGE CLINIQUE CLÉ: Nous définissons l'outil BAP comme une technique servant à favoriser l'observance des directives et des recommandations fondées sur des preuves chez un patient souffrant de lombalgie aiguë accompagnée d'une radiculopathie et de facteurs psychosociaux tardifs.

Methodological flaws on "manual therapy for the pediatric population: a systematic review" by Prevost et al. (2019).

Prevost et al. published a systematic review evaluating the use of manual therapy for clinical conditions in the pediatric population in 2019. However, several methodological flaws in the conduct of the review limit the internal validity of its conclusions. We caution readers about the validity of the recommendations and suggest that the review not be used to inform the clinical management of pediatric patients.

Understanding how chiropractors build trust with patients: a mixed-methods study.

INTRODUCTION: Trust is a key component of any therapeutic relationship and correlates with treatment satisfaction. Patients with high levels of trust in their healthcare providers report more beneficial heath behaviours, fewer symptoms, and a higher quality of life. The purpose of this study was to explore how chiropractors in British Columbia (BC) understand the process of building trust with patients. DESIGN: This was a sequential exploratory mixed-methods design. Semi-structured one-on-one interviews informed an online survey that was sent to all BC Chiropractic Association members. PARTICIPANTS: Interviews were completed by six chiropractors from the Vancouver Practice Based Research Network; an online survey was completed by 97 chiropractors. RESULTS: Themes of honesty, communication, perceived competence, and caring emerged during interviews. Survey findings confirmed the importance of honesty, communication, and perceived competence in building trust. CONCLUSION: Chiropractors can employ a variety of interpersonal strategies to foster trust with patients.

INTRODUCTION: La confiance est un élément fondamental dans toute relation thérapeutique; elle est en corrélation avec la satisfaction à l'égard du traitement. Les patients faisant grandement confiance en leurs professionnels de la santé affirment avoir une attitude plus bénéfique à l'égard de leur santé, moins de symptômes et une meilleure qualité de vie. Cette étude visait à examiner comment des chiropraticiens de la Colombie-Britannique (C.-B.) comprennent comment établir un lien de confiance avec leurs patients. MÉTHODOLOGIE: Cette recherche a été menée selon des méthodes exploratoires mixtes. Des entrevues individuelles semi-dirigées ont précédé l'envoi d'un sondage en ligne à tous les membres de la BC Chiropractic Association. PARTICIPANTS: Les entrevues ont été menées par six chiropraticiens du Vancouver Practice Based Research Network; 97 chiropraticiens ont répondu à un sondage en ligne. RÉSULTATS: L'honnêteté, la communication, la compétence perçue et la bienveillance ont été les aspects qui sont ressortis des entrevues. Les résultats du sondage ont confirmé l'importance de l'honnêteté, de la communication et de la compétence perçue dans l'instauration de la confiance. CONCLUSION: Les chiropraticiens peuvent utiliser diverses stratégies interpersonnelles pour favoriser la confiance avec leurs patients.

Postsurgical rehabilitation for adults with low back pain with or without radiculopathy who were treated surgically: protocol for a mixed studies systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Surgical rates for low back pain (LBP) have been increasing in Europe, North America and Asia. Many patients treated surgically will require postsurgical rehabilitation. Little is known about the effectiveness of postsurgical rehabilitation interventions on health outcomes or about patients' experiences with these interventions. OBJECTIVES: To conduct a mixed studies systematic review of quantitative and qualitative studies regarding: (1) the effectiveness and safety of postsurgical rehabilitation interventions for adults with LBP treated surgically and (2) the experiences of patients, healthcare providers, caregivers or others involved with the rehabilitation. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will search MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, the Index to Chiropractic Literature, the Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials and the Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine Source for peer-reviewed empirical studies published from inception in any language. Studies using quantitative, qualitative and mixed methodologies will be included. We will also search reference lists of all eligible articles. Data extraction will include type of presurgical pathology, indication for surgery, surgical procedure, how the intervention was delivered and by whom, context and setting. We will conduct a quality assessment of each study and consider study quality in our evidence synthesis. We will use a sequential approach at the review level to synthesise and integrate data. First, we will synthesise the quantitative and qualitative studies independently, conducting a meta-analysis of the quantitative studies if appropriate and thematic synthesis of the qualitative studies. Then, we will integrate the quantitative and qualitative evidence by juxtaposing the findings in a matrix. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval is not required for this knowledge synthesis. Findings will be disseminated through knowledge translation activities including: (1) presentations at national and international conferences and scientific meetings; (2) presentations to local and international stakeholders; (3) publications in peer-reviewed journals and (4) posts on organisational websites. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42019134607.

Appraisal and summary of patellofemoral pain clinical practice guideline.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this commentary was to critically appraise the patellofemoral pain clinical practice guideline published by the Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy in 2019 and to summarize their recommendations for chiropractic practice. METHODS: Quality and reporting of this guideline was assessed with the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II (AGREE II) instrument. Three reviewers independently scored between 1-7 (strongly disagree-strongly agree) for 23 items organized into six quality domains. RESULTS: AGREE II quality domain scores ranged between 57%-98%, with overall quality of the recommendation rated 89%. The guideline contained evidence summaries and/or recommendations for three topics: impairment/function-based diagnosis; examination; and interventions. CONCLUSION: Based on its methodological quality, we recommend the use of this guideline for the examination, diagnosis, and management of patellofemoral pain in chiropractic practice. A summary of recommendations from this guideline is presented for use within the scope of chiropractic practice in Canada.

OBJECTIF: Ces commentaires visaient à évaluer le la ligne directrice relative à la prise en charge du syndrome fémoro-patellaire publiées par l'Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy en 2019 et de résumer les recommandations aux chiropraticiens. MÉTHODOLOGIE: La qualité de cette ligne directrice a été évaluée à l'aide de l'instrument Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II (AGREE II). Trois examinateurs, chacun de leur côté, ont attribué une cote comprise entre 1 et 7 (allant de fortement en désaccord à fortement d'accord) à 23 aspects répartis dans six domaines reliés à la qualité. RÉSULTATS: Les cotes attribuées au domaine relié à la qualité AGREE II allaient de 57 à 98 % ; de façon globale, la cote de la qualité de la recommandation était de 89 %. La ligne directrice renfermait des résumés de preuves et/ou des recommandations portant sur trois points à savoir le déficit/le diagnostic fondé sur la fonction, l'examen et les interventions. CONCLUSION: À la lumière de la qualité de la méthodologie, nous recommandons l'utilisation de cette ligne directrice pour pratiquer l'examen, établir un diagnostic et prendre en charge du syndrome fémoropatellaire dans les cliniques chiropratiques. Un résumé des recommandations issues de cette ligne directrice est présenté à l'intention des chiropraticiens du Canada.

The prevalence and characteristics of HIV/AIDS patients presenting at a chiropractic outpatient clinic in Toronto, Ontario. A retrospective, observational study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and presenting complaints of HIV/AIDS patients attending a chiropractic outpatient teaching clinic in downtown Toronto, and explore their self-reported comorbidities, medications used, and consumption of other complementary health care. METHODS: A random sample was drawn from the entire clinic file collection spanning the years 2007 to 2013. Files were anonymized and coded to ensure confidentiality. RESULTS: A total of 264 files were radomly pulled from approxinately 3750 clinic files. The prevalence of HIV positive patients was 5.7% (15/264), predominantly males, with 3 patients having developed AIDS. Co-infection with Hepatitis B and/or C was identified in 5/15 patients. The most common presenting complaint was neck pain (80%), followed by low back pain (47%) compared to 20% and 43% respectively for the general cohort. Eleven of 15 patients were on antiretroviral treatment (ART); The frequency of comorbidities was 8/15 (53%) however, none were identified as being dominant. In addition to chiropractic, 7/15 patients reported receiving other complementary therapies. CONCLUSIONS: A relatively small proportion of HIV/ AIDS patients were found to be receiving treatments in this downtown chiropractic clinic situated within a community health clinic setting. The principal presenting complaint was neck pain.

OBJECTIF: Établir la prévalence des symptômes des patients séropositifs ou atteints du sida fréquentant un clinique chiropratique d'enseignement au centre-ville de Toronto et étudier les comorbidités autodéclarées, les médicaments utilisés et les soins de santé complémentaires. MÉTHODOLOGIE: On a choisi au hasard des dossiers de patients parmi tous les dossiers de la clinique, à partir de 2007 jusqu'en 2013. Les dossiers ont été anonymisés et codés pour assurer la confidentialité. RÉSULTATS: Au total, 264 dossiers ont été choisis par hasard parmi les quelque 3 750 de la clinique. La prévalence des patients séropositifs était de 5,7 % (15/264); la plupart étaient des hommes, 3 patients avaient développé le sida. Une co-infection par l'hépatite B et (ou) l'hépatite C avait été diagnostiquée chez 5 patients sur 15. Les symptômes les plus fréquents étaient la cervicalgie (80 %) suivie de la lombalgie (47 %); la fréquence de ces symptômes étaient de 20 % et de 43 % respectivement dans la cohorte générale. Onze des 15 patients suivaient un traitement antirétroviral (ARV). La fréquence des comorbidités était de 8 patients sur 15 (53 %), mais aucune n'était considérée comme dominante. Sept patients sur 15 ont déclaré suivre des traitements complémentaires en plus des traitements chiropratiques. CONCLUSIONS: Une proportion relativement petite de patients séropositifs ou atteints du sida recevait des traitements dans cette clinique chiropratique du centre-ville située dans un établissement de soins de santé communautaire. La cervicalgie était le principal symptôme dont se plaignaient les patients.

Itch sensation through transient receptor potential channels: a systematic review and relevance to manual therapy.

OBJECTIVE: Patients may present with a complaint of "itchiness" or an "odd sensation" that can be relieved by manual therapy treatment options, which demonstrates the relevance of transient receptor potential (TRP) channels. There are studies that identify the role of various TRP channels as modulators of the itch sensation; however, discrepancies in the literature exist with respect to the overall neural pathway of the itch sensation, musculoskeletal implications, and decisive therapeutic implications. The purpose of this study was to review the literature and rate the quality of published articles regarding the role of TRP channels in the itch sensation. METHODS: A systematic search of relevant literature that was published in English by a peer-reviewed journal between January 2000 and June 2012 was performed in PubMed. Studies that met the predetermined inclusion criteria regarding the relationship between TRP channels and itch were identified and then evaluated for methodological quality by the Downs and Black Quality Index score system and were summarized. RESULTS: Nine studies were identified that met the inclusion criteria, all of which had fair methodological quality from the perspective of the modified Downs and Black Quality Index. TRPA1, TRPM8, and TRPV1-4 were indicated as key channels responsible for the transmission of the itch sensation. TRPV1 channels convey histamine-dependent itch, and TRPA1 channels convey histamine-independent itch. Temperature, nerve growth factor, and substance-P were also described as important itch modulators. There are similarities between the neural pathways responsible for itch, pain, and temperature, which explain the ability of noxious temperature to suppress the desire to scratch. Although transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, innocuous vibration, and cutaneous field stimulation have demonstrated relatively weak attenuation of itch, the use of topical capsaicin, noxious heat, and noxious cold have been demonstrated as effective therapies. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this review show that studies have assessed the function of TRP channels and itch, rather than identifying the relationship between itch and effective noninvasive treatment options. Therefore, TRP channels could serve as important, complex clinical targets for manual therapists.