Theory of Planned Behavior and Mindfulness Intentions in Chronic Low Back Pain.

Objectives: Theory of planned of behavior (TPB) constructs have been linked to health behavior intentions. Intentions to try mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), a first-line therapy for chronic low back pain (cLBP), have been less studied. This study aimed to identify which TPB constructs could inform strategies to improve adoption of MBSR. Methods: People with cLBP (n = 457) read a description of MBSR then completed survey items assessing TPB constructs: attitudes, norms, self-efficacy, perceived control, and intentions to try MBSR training. Results: Structural equation modeling showed self-efficacy/control (coefficient: 0.564), norms (0.245), and attitudes (0.131) were all positively associated with intentions to try mindfulness trainings. Conclusions: Results suggest self-efficacy/control may be the most strongly related TPB construct with intentions to try MBSR. Dissemination of MBSR for cLBP could focus on adapting the intervention to increase accessibility and improving available resources to overcome logistical barriers (online formats, drop-in classes). Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12671-022-02022-2.

An experimental study to inform adoption of mindfulness-based stress reduction in chronic low back pain.

BACKGROUND: Chronic low back pain is a common and sometimes disabling condition, and mindfulness-based stress reduction is recommended as a first line of therapy. This study tested whether different descriptions of mindfulness training altered based on influential intervention characteristics increased adoption intentions. METHODS: People with chronic low back pain (n = 452) were randomized to review one of four mindfulness training descriptions in an online survey using a 2 × 2 factorial design. The first factor was evidence strength and quality with relative advantage (ER). The second factor was adaptability, trialability, complexity, and design quality and packaging (AD). Each factor had two levels: a description of standardized mindfulness training that described each intervention characteristic and a patient-centered description emphasizing flexibility and patient testimonials. The primary outcomes were intentions to try mindfulness training and practice mindfulness at home. Using structural equation modeling with a bootstrapped distribution, we tested six mediators, three of which are Theory of Planned Behavior predictors of intention-self-efficacy, norms, and attitudes- and the other three are predictors of adoption-feasibility, appropriateness, and acceptability. RESULTS: Overall, the mindfulness training descriptions were not associated with an increase in intentions compared to the classic vignette (11/12 p's > 0.05). Most descriptions were unrelated to mediators except the classic ER with patient-centered AD was associated with higher self-efficacy/control and feasibility (p's ≤ 0.05; standardized effect range: 0.111-0.125). Self-efficacy/control (training standardized coefficient: 0.531, home: 0.686), norms (training: 0.303, home: 0.256), and attitudes (training: 0.316, home: 0.293) were all positively associated with intentions to adopt mindfulness training and home practice. Feasibility (training: 0.185; home: 0.293) and acceptability (training: 0.639; home: 0.554) were positively related to intentions to adopt mindfulness training. Appropriateness was related to intentions to adopt home practice (0.187) but not mindfulness training (0.100). None of the indirect effects from experimental group to intentions was significant (all p's > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Self-efficacy/control and acceptability may be key mediators for increasing patient adoption of mindfulness. Because experimental manipulation did not substantially change intentions to adopt mindfulness, the presentation and delivery of MBSR may need to be tailored to the individual patient's needs rather than a specific format for chronic low back pain.

The Cancer Financial Experience (CAFÉ) study: randomized controlled trial of a financial navigation intervention to address cancer-related financial hardship.

BACKGROUND: There is an urgent need for evidence on how interventions can prevent or mitigate cancer-related financial hardship. Our objectives are to compare self-reported financial hardship, quality of life, and health services use between patients receiving a financial navigation intervention versus a comparison group at 12 months follow-up, and to assess patient-level factors associated with dose received of a financial navigation intervention. METHODS: The Cancer Financial Experience (CAFÉ) study is a multi-site randomized controlled trial (RCT) with individual-level randomization. Participants will be offered either brief (one financial navigation cycle, Arm 2) or extended (three financial navigation cycles, Arm 3) financial navigation. The intervention period for both Arms 2 and 3 is 6 months. The comparison group (Arm 1) will receive enhanced usual care. The setting for the CAFÉ study is the medical oncology and radiation oncology clinics at two integrated health systems in the Pacific Northwest. Inclusion criteria includes age 18 or older with a recent cancer diagnosis and visit to a study clinic as identified through administrative data. Outcomes will be assessed at 12-month follow-up. Primary outcomes are self-reported financial distress and health-related quality of life. Secondary outcomes are delayed or foregone care; receipt of medical financial assistance; and account delinquency. A mixed methods exploratory analysis will investigate factors associated with total intervention dose received. DISCUSSION: The CAFÉ study will provide much-needed early trial evidence on the impact of financial navigation in reducing cancer-related financial hardship. It is theory-informed, clinic-based, aligned with patient preferences, and has been developed following preliminary qualitative studies and stakeholder input. By design, it will provide prospective evidence on the potential benefits of financial navigation on patient-relevant cancer outcomes. The CAFÉ trial's strengths include its broad inclusion criteria, its equity-focused sampling plan, its novel intervention developed in partnership with clinical and operations stakeholders, and mixed methods secondary analyses related to intervention dose offered and dose received. The resulting analytic dataset will allow for rich mixed methods analysis and provide critical information related to implementation of the intervention should it prove effective. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05018000 . August 23, 2021.

Social Risk Factors and Desire for Assistance Among Patients Receiving Subsidized Health Care Insurance in a US-Based Integrated Delivery System.

PURPOSE: Because social conditions such as food insecurity and housing instability shape health outcomes, health systems are increasingly screening for and addressing patients' social risks. This study documented the prevalence of social risks and examined the desire for assistance in addressing those risks in a US-based integrated delivery system. METHODS: A survey was administered to Kaiser Permanente members on subsidized exchange health insurance plans (2018-2019). The survey included questions about 4 domains of social risks, desire for help, and attitudes. We conducted a descriptive analysis and estimated multivariate modified Poisson regression models. RESULTS: Of 438 participants, 212 (48%) reported at least 1 social risk factor. Housing instability was the most common (70%) factor reported. Members with social risks reported more discomfort being screened for social risks (14.2% vs 5.4%; P = .002) than those without risks, although 90% of participants believed that health systems should assist in addressing social risks. Among those with 1-2 social risks, however, only 27% desired assistance. Non-Hispanic Black participants who reported a social risk were more than twice as likely to desire assistance compared with non-Hispanic White participants (adjusted relative risk [RR] 2.2; 95% CI, 1.3-3.8). CONCLUSIONS: Athough most survey participants believed health systems have a role in addressing social risks, a minority of those reporting a risk wanted assistance and reported more discomfort being screened for risk factors than those without risks. Health systems should work to increase the comfort of patients in reporting risks, explore how to successfully assist them when desired, and offer resources to address these risks outside the health care sector.VISUAL ABSTRACT.

Interest in Mindfulness Training for Chronic Low-Back Pain: Results from a Vignette-driven, Web-based Survey of Patients.

Objectives: Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) has been found effective for improving chronic low-back pain (cLBP). However, little data exist regarding how attractive this technique is to Americans as a therapy for cLBP. Design: Survey of randomly selected persons with cLBP. Settings/Location: Respondents were recruited from Kaiser Permanente Washington and one-time surveys were completed online. Patients: Adults 18-80 years of age with cLBP. Surveys: The study was conducted between December 2019 and August 2020. Outcome measures: The survey described an evidence-based classic MBSR course and then asked respondents about their sociodemographic characteristics, their current back pain, previous back pain treatments, behavioral risk factors for back pain, and four outcomes indicative of intention to engage in MBSR. Results: Four-hundred fifty-seven respondents completed the survey. Respondents were primarily women, white, educated, and with back pain for more than 5 years. About half had previously used a mind-body therapy for their pain. Overall, they reported moderate to high intention to try mindfulness classes and practice at home (median of 5 with 50% of the observations between 4 and 6, and 5.7, 50% of the observations between 4.3 and 6.3, respectively, on a 7-point scale). They reported a willingness to spend a median of 3 h/week learning mindfulness and 3.5 h/week practicing mindfulness techniques (for both outcomes, 50% of the respondents reported between 2 and 5 h). Few patient characteristics predicted intention to engage in MBSR, with no variable predicting all outcomes. The magnitude of the effect associated with significant predictors was small. Conclusion: Classic MBSR appealed to many survey respondents, in that they reported high interest in learning MBSR and intention to practice at home. The amount of time they reported being willing to spend learning MBSR and practicing at home is consistent with the time commitment in the original course.

Patterns of practice in community mental health treatment of adult depression.

OBJECTIVE: Community mental health therapists often endorse an eclectic orientation, but few studies reveal how therapists utilize elements of evidence-based psychotherapies. This study aimed to characterize treatment as usual patterns of practice among therapists treating depressed adults in community mental health settings. METHOD: Therapists (N = 165) from the USA's largest not-for-profit provider of community-based mental health services completed surveys assessing their demographics and practice element use with depressed adult clients. Specifically, therapists indicated whether they utilized each of 45 unique practice elements from the following evidence-based psychotherapies: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Behavioral Activation, Brief Psychodynamic Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Interpersonal Therapy, Mindfulness-Based CBT, Problem-Solving Therapy, and Self-Control Therapy. Principal component analysis was employed to identify practice patterns. RESULTS: The principal component analysis included 31 practice elements and revealed a three-factor model with distinct patterns of practice that did not align with traditional evidence-based practice approaches, including: (i) Planning, Practice, and Monitoring; (ii) Cognitive, Didactic, and Interpersonal; and (iii) Between Session Activities. CONCLUSIONS: Therapist-reported practice patterns confirmed an eclectic approach that brought together elements from theoretically distinct evidence-based psychotherapies. Future research is needed to explore how these patterns of practice relate to client outcomes to inform focused training and/or de-implementation efforts.

Postural correction reduces hip pain in adult with acetabular dysplasia: A case report.

Developmental dysplasia of the hip is often diagnosed in infancy, but less severe cases of acetabular dysplasia are being detected in young active adults. The purpose of this case report is to present a non-surgical intervention for a 31-year-old female with mild acetabular dysplasia and an anterior acetabular labral tear. The patient presented with right anterior hip and groin pain, and she stood with the trunk swayed posterior to the pelvis (swayback posture). The hip pain was reproduced with the anterior impingement test. During gait, the patient maintained the swayback posture and reported 6/10 hip pain. Following correction of the patient's posture, the patient's pain rating was reduced to a 2/10 while walking. The patient was instructed to maintain the improved posture. At the 1 year follow-up, she demonstrated significantly improved posture in standing and walking. She had returned to recreational running and was generally pain-free. The patient demonstrated improvement on self-reported questionnaires for pain, function, and activity. These findings suggest that alteration of posture can have an immediate and lasting effect on hip pain in persons with structural abnormality and labral pathology.