Fear and avoidance of shoulder movement according to the International Code of Functioning: cross-sectional study / Medo e evitação de movimento do ombro segundo o Código Internacional de Funcionalidade: estudo transversal

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Shoulder pain is a limiting condition that has a major impact on daily activities and work. Knowing which specific activities involving the shoulder are associated with the occurrence of higher levels of pain may be of interest to professionals. The use of images of shoulder movements can be an effective tool to check the presence of pain and fear of movement, break down language and cultural barriers, and facilitate communication between professional and patient. The objectives of this study were: (1) to carry out a descriptive analysis of fear responses and movement avoidance based on passive viewing of images of shoulder movements based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) codes; (2) to check whether there is a correlation between fear responses and movement avoidance with the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI). METHODS: In this cross-sectional observational study, individuals with chronic shoulder pain were recruited. Participants responded to the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) and the TAMPA Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK) to measure the intensity of shoulder pain and disability, and fear of movement, respectively. Participants viewed 58 movement images based on codes and descriptors from the third chapter of ICF. In addition, they responded to a numerical scale to judge fear of movement and a second numerical scale to judge movement avoidance. RESULTS: The study included 42 individuals. The activities belonging to the mobility subgroup (chapter 4), which refers to chapter 3 of the ICF, are those that present greater responses of fear and movement avoidance. Multiple regression resulted in a significant model [F(1, 40) = 31.119; p<0.001; R2 = 0.438], when verifying whether fear and movement avoidance responses related to ICF images are associated with SPADI in participants with chronic shoulder pain. The fear response is associated with SPADI (β=0.661; t=5.578; p<0.001), however, the avoidance response did not present a significant result with the scale (β=−0.063; t=-0.160; p=0.874). CONCLUSION: Movements that refer to mobility seem to be the most feared and avoided by people with chronic shoulder pain. Fear of movement is associated with shoulder disability.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A dor no ombro é uma condição limitante, que apresenta grande impacto nas atividades de vida diárias e no trabalho. Conhecer quais atividades específicas envolvendo o ombro estão associadas à ocorrência de maiores níveis de dor pode ser de interesse dos profissionais. A utilização de imagens de movimentos do ombro pode ser uma ferramenta eficaz para verificar a presença de dor e medo de movimento, quebrar barreiras de linguagem e culturais e facilitar a comunicação entre profissional e paciente. Os objetivos deste estudo foram: (1) realizar a análise descritiva das respostas de medo e evitação do movimento a partir da visualização passiva de imagens de movimentos do ombro baseadas nos códigos da Classificação Internacional de Funcionalidade, Incapacidade e Saúde (CIF); (2) verificar se há correlação das respostas de medo e evitação do movimento com o Índice de dor e Incapacidade do Ombro (SPADI). METODOS: Neste estudo observacional do tipo transversal foram recrutadas pessoas com dor crônica no ombro. Os participantes responderam ao Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) e à Escala TAMPA de Cinesiofobia (TSK) para mensurar a intensidade da dor e incapacidade do ombro, e de medo do movimento, respectivamente. Os participantes visualizaram 58 imagens de movimentos baseadas em códigos e descritores do terceiro capítulo de Atividade e Participação da CIF. Além disso, responderam a uma escala numérica para julgar o medo do movimento e a uma segunda escala numérica para julgar a evitação ao movimento. RESULTADOS: Participaram do estudo 42 pessoas. As atividades pertencentes ao subgrupo mobilidade (capítulo 4), referente ao capítulo 3 da CIF, são as que apresentam maiores respostas de medo e evitação do movimento. A regressão múltipla resultou em um modelo significativo [F (1, 40) = 31, 119; p<0,001; R2 = 0,438], ao verificar se as respostas de medo e evitação do movimento referente às imagens da CIF estão associadas ao SPADI dos participantes com dor crônica no ombro. A resposta de medo é associada ao SPADI (β=0,661; t=5,578; p<0,001), porém a resposta de evitação não apresentou resultado significativo com a escala (β=−0,063; t=−0,160; p=0,874). CONCLUSÃO: Os movimentos que se referem à mobilidade parecem ser os mais temidos e evitados por pessoas com dor crônica no ombro. O medo do movimento está associado com a incapacidade do ombro.

Reliability and Validity of the Avoidance of Daily Activities Photo Scale for Patients With Shoulder Pain (ADAP Shoulder Scale).

OBJECTIVE: The Avoidance of Daily Activities Photo Scale for Patients With Shoulder Pain (ADAP Shoulder Scale) was developed to assess pain-related avoidance behavior during daily activities in people with shoulder pain. However, its measurement properties must be verified according to international guidelines. As such, this study investigated the following 4 measurement properties of the ADAP Shoulder Scale: reliability, measurement errors, convergent validity, and floor and ceiling effects. METHODS: The sample comprised 100 individuals with chronic shoulder pain (43 men and 57 women; mean duration of symptoms of 29.7 [SD = 89.0] months; mean age of 44.9 [SD = 15.9] years). The mean test-retest reliability range was 5 days via the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Measurement errors included the standard error of measurement and the minimal detectable change. Convergent validity was analyzed by applying the Pearson correlation with the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia, Pain Catastrophizing Scale, and Shoulder Pain and Disability Index. RESULTS: The ADAP Shoulder Scale showed excellent test-retest reliability, both in all domains and in the total score [ICC(2,1) = 0.94; 95% CI = 0.92-0.96]. The standard errors of measurement for the free-movement, high-effort, and self-care domains were 8.1%, 6.0%, and 7.6%, respectively. The minimal detectable change for the total score of the ADAP Shoulder Scale was 16.0%. The total score of the ADAP Shoulder Scale was low to moderately correlated with the total scores of the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (r = 0.52), Pain Catastrophizing Scale (r = 0.30), and Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (r = 0.72). No floor or ceiling effects were detected in the total score. CONCLUSION: The ADAP Shoulder Scale is a reliable, valid instrument for assessing avoidance behavior in adults who have chronic shoulder pain and are not athletes. IMPACT: This study provides evidence that the ADAP Shoulder Scale is appropriate for clinical and practical use in people with chronic shoulder pain.

How does my pain look like? Characterizing dysmenorrhea-related pain using the body map / Como se parece a minha dor? Caracterizando a dor relacionada à dismenorreia utilizando o mapa corporal da dor

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is a common gynaecological disorder characterized by pain in the abdominal region without pelvic disease. Evidence suggests that PD-related pain may not be restricted to the pelvis region, hence body mapping could be helpful in assessing the subjective location, intensity, and distribution of pain areas in women with PD. The objective of this study was to characterize dysmenorrhea-related pain location and intensity using body map. METHODS: We conducted a web-based cross-sectional study for adult women to self-report menstrual pain during three menstrual cycles. Each participant was instructed through a messaging application to paint the body map after printing it and rank their pain according to the 11-point Numerical Rating Scale. RESULTS: Seventy-three women (24.1 ± 3.0 years) participated in the study. A considerable proportion of participants reported pain in the lower abdomen (90.4%) and other body areas, such as the lower back (82.1%), head (54.6%), breasts (32.9%), upper abdomen (31.5%), and legs (28.8%). CONCLUSION: Our findings revealed that women with PD also present pain outside the uterine referral area during their period. In this way, body maps can help healthcare professionals to record specific regions of pain and track changes or patterns in the location or intensity pain during menses, helping to determine treatment strategies appropriate to the individual needs of each woman with PD. Therefore, we strongly recommend the clinical use of the self-report body map to evaluate menstrual pain and help health providers to improve PD symptoms in this population.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A dismenorreia primária (DP) é um distúrbio ginecológico comum caracterizado por dor na região abdominal sem doença pélvica. Evidências sugerem que a dor relacionada à DP pode não estar restrita à região da pelve, portanto, o mapeamento corporal pode ser útil para avaliar a localização subjetiva, a intensidade e a distribuição das áreas de dor em mulheres com DP. O objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar a localização e a intensidade da dor relacionada à dismenorreia por meio do mapa corporal. MÉTODOS: Conduziu-se um estudo transversal baseado na web para mulheres adultas para autorrelato de dor menstrual durante três ciclos menstruais. Cada participante foi instruído por meio de um aplicativo de mensagens a pintar o mapa corporal após imprimi-lo e classificar sua dor de acordo com a Escala de Avaliação Numérica de 11 pontos. RESULTADOS: Setenta e três mulheres (24,1±3,0 anos) participaram do estudo. Uma proporção considerável de participantes relatou dor na parte inferior do abdômen (90,4%) e em outras áreas do corpo, como a parte inferior das costas (82,1%), cabeça (54,6%), mamas (32,9%), parte superior do abdômen (31,5%) e pernas (28,8%). CONCLUSÃO: Os presentes achados revelaram que mulheres com DP também apresentam dor fora da área de referência uterina durante o período menstrual. Dessa forma, os mapas corporais podem ajudar os profissionais de saúde a registrar regiões específicas de dor e rastrear mudanças ou padrões na localização ou intensidade da dor durante a menstruação, ajudando a determinar estratégias de tratamento adequadas às necessidades individuais de cada mulher com DP. Portanto, recomenda-se fortemente o uso clínico do mapa corporal de autorrelato para avaliar a dor menstrual e ajudar os profissionais de saúde a melhorar os sintomas de DP nessa população.

Pain interference, neuropathic-like symptoms, pain intensity, and symptoms of central sensitization negatively impact individual's disability after Chikungunya fever: cross-sectional study / Interferência da dor, sintomas do tipo neuropático, intensidade da dor e sintomas de sensibilização central afetam negativamente a capacidade funcional dos indivíduos após a febre Chicungunha: estudo transversal

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Particular pain features, such as pain interference, neuropathic-like symptoms, and central sensitization (CS) symptoms may be present in patients with Chikungunya fever and lead to functional limitations. The present study aimed to assess the association between pain characteristics and the disability in participants affected by Chikungunya fever in the chronic phase. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 36 participants who filled out a sociodemographic, pain characteristics (pain interference - Brief Pain Inventory, neuropathic-like symptoms - PainDETECT Questionnaire, and CS-related signs and symptoms - Central Sensitization Inventory) and disability (Health Assessment Questionnaire) questionnaires. The Spearman correlation test (rho) verified the relationship between the outcomes. RESULTS: Most of the participants were female (77%), with a mean age of 43 years. Twenty-seven (75%) participants presented nociceptive pain and 11 (30%) had central sensitization symptoms. There was a high positive correlation between the presence of neuropathic-like symptoms and disability (rho=0.71; p<0.001) and pain intensity and disability (rho=0.76; p<0.001). A moderate positive correlation was found between the central sensitization symptoms and disability (rho=0.51; p=0.002). Moreover, there is a low positive correlation between pain interference in an individual's life and disability (rho=0.34; p=0.041). CONCLUSION: Patients in chronic phase of Chikungunya fever revealed mild pain intensity and predominance of nociceptive pain. Pain interference, neuropathic-like symptoms, and central sensitization symptoms negatively impact individual's disability after Chikungunya fever.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Características particulares da dor, como interferência da dor, sintomas do tipo neuropático e sintomas de sensibilização central (SC), podem estar presentes em pacientes com febre Chicungunha e levar a limitações funcionais. O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a correlação entre as características da dor e a capacidade funcional em participantes acometidos pela febre Chicungunha na fase crônica. MÉTODOS: Foi realizado um estudo transversal com 36 participantes que preencheram questionários sociodemográficos, de características de dor (interferência da dor - Inventário Breve de Dor, sintomas do tipo neuropático - questionário PainDETECT, e sinais e sintomas relacionados à SC - Inventário de Sensibilização Central) e de capacidade funcional (Health Assessment Questionnaire). O teste de correlação de Spearman (rho) verificou a relação entre os desfechos. RESULTADOS: A maioria dos participantes era do sexo feminino (77%), com média de idade de 43 anos. Vinte e sete (75%) participantes apresentaram dor nociceptiva e 11 (30%) apresentaram sintomas de sensibilização central. Houve alta correlação positiva entre a presença de sintomas do tipo neuropático e capacidade funcional (rho=0,71; p<0,001) e intensidade da dor e capacidade funcional (rho=0,76; p<0,001). Foi encontrada uma correlação positiva moderada entre os sintomas de sensibilização central e a capacidade funcional (rho=0,51; p=0,002). Além disso, há uma correlação positiva baixa entre a interferência da dor na vida do indivíduo e a capacidade funcional (rho=0,34; p=0,041). CONCLUSÃO: Pacientes em fase crônica da febre Chicungunha apresentaram intensidade de dor leve e predominância de dor nociceptiva. A interferência da dor, os sintomas do tipo neuropático e os sintomas de sensibilização central afetam negativamente a capacidade funcional do indivíduo após a febre Chicungunha.

Investigating the hypoalgesic effects of spinal manipulative therapy using hidden pain conditioning and positive expectation in patients with chronic low back pain: protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Placebo effects are responses capable of modulating pain and influencing treatment response. Two mechanisms are commonly related to placebo effects: expectations and conditioning. However, the research in this field is focused on laboratory studies with healthy participants. This study aims to identify whether a conditioning procedure with positive induced expectations about spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) will result in greater hypoalgesic effects in adults with chronic low back pain (CLBP) in a clinical trial design. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This trial will enrol 264 patients with non-specific CLBP, aged 18-60 years. Patients will undergo a calibration test to determine the thermal pain threshold for the hidden pain conditioning procedure. Afterward, they will be randomised to one of the three groups: hidden pain conditioning with positive induced expectations-group one (G1); positive expectations-group two (G2) and neutral expectations-group three (G3). Patients will receive instructions to manipulate the expectations. The pretreatment heat pain test will be performed before the SMT and after the intervention patients will undergo again the heat pain intensity test. However, only patients in G1 will receive hidden pain conditioning to reinforce the association between SMT and pain intensity reduction. All patients will undergo five sessions of SMT. The outcomes will be assessed immediately after the last session and at the 6 weeks and 3-month follow-ups. All statistical analyses will be conducted following intention-to-treat principles, and the treatment effects will be determined with linear mixed models. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The Federal University of São Carlos approved this research (Process n° 52359521.1.0000.5504). All participants will give written informed consent. Dissemination of the results will include publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at conferences. If positive expectations and classical conditioning improve outcomes, it may support the administration of such intervention. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05202704.

Credibility, accuracy and readability of patient-oriented information about low back pain on Brazilian websites: a mixed-method review / Credibilidade, acurácia e legibilidade das informações orientadas ao paciente sobre dor lombar em sites brasileiros: uma revisão de método misto

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Low-quality online health-related content may lead to inefective or harmful decision-making from patients related to their healthcare. The aim of this study was to evaluate the credibility, accuracy and readability of web-based content on Brazilian websites. METHODS: This is a mixed-method review with exploratory sequential design. Google was selected as the search engine for retrieving web-information about low back pain (LBP) in Brazilian websites. We assessed the URL on three domains: credibility, accuracy, and readability. Qualitative analysis of each URL was performed in three steps: (1) organization into thematic units; (2) data exploration; and (3) interpretation of the data and summarization. RESULTS: Credibility was assessed in 135 URLs, 72 (53%) URLs had no authorship, 119 (88%) did not mention the sources of their information, none presented a declaration of conflict of interest or the declared source of funding, 76 (56%) URLs present the date of creation. Accuracy was assessed in 121 URLs and none fully adhered to the guidelines. Readability was assessed in 128 and texts were classified as "very easy" or "easy" to read. Five main themes emerged in the qualitative analysis: (1) Explanations and causes for low back pain, (2) diagnosis, (3) recommendation about treatment, (4) recommendation for coping and self-management, and (5) lifestyle factors. CONCLUSION: Content analysis of web-based searches on the Brazilian Portuguese language demonstrated low credibility standards, mostly inaccurate information, and moderate-high readability levels about low back pain.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: O conteúdo on-line relacionado à saúde quando apresenta baixa qualidade pode levar a tomadas de decisão ineficazes ou prejudiciais por parte dos pacientes. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a credibilidade, acurácia e legibilidade do conteúdo em portais brasileiros. MÉTODOS: Esta é uma revisão de método misto com design sequencial exploratório. O Google foi selecionado como o mecanismo de busca para recuperar informações da web sobre dor lombar em sites brasileiros. Avaliamos os URL em três domínios: credibilidade, acurácia e legibilidade. A análise qualitativa de cada URL foi realizada em três etapas: (1) organização em unidades temáticas; (2) exploração de dados; e (3) interpretação dos dados e resumo. RESULTADOS: A credibilidade foi avaliada em 135 URLs, 72 (53%) URLs não tinham autoria, 119 (88%) não mencionavam as fontes de suas informações, nenhuma apresentava declaração de confito de interesse ou fonte de fnanciamento declarada, 76 (56%) URLs apresentam a data de criação. A acurácia foi avaliada em 121 URLs e nenhuma aderiu totalmente às diretrizes. A legibilidade foi avaliada em 128 e os textos foram classificados como "muito fáceis" ou "fáceis" de ler. Cinco temas principais emergiram na análise qualitativa: (1) Explicações e causas da dor lombar, (2) diagnóstico, (3) recomendação sobre tratamento, (4) recomendação para enfrentamento e autogerenciamento e (5) fatores de estilo de vida. CONCLUSÃO: A análise de conteúdo de pesquisas baseadas na web, no idioma português do Brasil, demonstrou baixos padrões de credibilidade, acurácia e níveis moderados a altos de legibilidade sobre a dor lombar.

Relationship between the Widespread Pain Index and the PainMAP software for pain sites measurement in patients with Widespread Pain / Relação entre o Índice de Dor Espalhada e o software PainMAP para medida de localização da dor em pacientes com dor espalhada

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Identifying pain sites is essential to managing patients with Widespread Pain. Several instruments have been developed, including pain drawings, a grid system and computerized methods. However, it is not yet known whether the Widespread Pain Index matches an automated method (painMAP) for quantifying the number of pain areas. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the relationship between the Widespread Pain Index and the painMAP software to measure pain sites in participants with Widespread Pain. METHODS: A pre-planned secondary analysis of data collected from 311 patients with musculoskeletal pain was conducted. The Widespread Pain Index and the painMAP software assessed pain sites. Spearman's correlation coefficient investigated the correlation between the Widespread Pain Index and the painMAP software. RESULTS: A total of 98 participants with Widespread Pain were included in this study. Most participants were female (67; 83.7%), with a mean age of 57,7±11,5 years, mean height of 1.6 (0.1) meters and mean weight of 73.2 (11.8) kilograms. The mean pain intensity was 6.7 (2.0), and the pain duration was 92.3 (96.3) months. The mean number of pain sites in the Widespread Pain Index was 10.1 (3.7), and in the painMAP software, it was 11.7 (8.8). A weak positive correlation (rho = 0.26, 95% CI 0.45 to 0.04, p = 0.022) between the Widespread Pain Index and the painMAP software was found. CONCLUSION: The Widespread Pain Index and the painMAP software showed a weak correlation for assessing pain sites in participants with Widespread Pain.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A identificação dos locais de dor é um aspecto essencial no manejo de pacientes com Dor Espalhada. Vários instrumentos foram desenvolvidos, incluindo desenhos de dor, um sistema de grade e métodos computadorizados. No entanto, ainda não se sabe se o Índice de Dor Espalhada coincide com um método automatizado (painMAP) para quantificar o número de áreas de dor. Portanto, este estudo teve como objetivo identificar a relação entre o Índice de Dor Espalhada e o painMAP para medir as áreas doloridas em participantes com esse quadro de dor. MÉTODOS: Uma análise secundária pré-planejada de dados coletados de 311 pacientes com dor musculoesquelética foi realizada. O Índice de Dor Espalhada e o painMAP avaliaram as áreas de dor. O coeficiente de correlação de Spearman foi utilizado para investigar a correlação entre o Índice de Dor Espalhada e o software painMAP. RESULTADOS: Um total de 98 participantes com Dor Espalhada foram incluídos neste estudo. A maioria dos participantes era do sexo feminino (67;83,7%), com média de idade de 57,7±11,5 anos, média de altura de 1,6 (0,1) metros e média de peso de 73,2 (11,8) quilogramas. A média de intensidade da dor foi de 6,7 (2,0) e da duração da dor de 92,3 (96,3) meses. O número médio de áreas de dor no Índice de Dor Espalhada foi de 10,1(3,7) e no software painMAP foi de 11,7 (8,8). Uma correlação positiva fraca (rho=0,26, IC de 95% 0,45-0,04, p=0,022) entre o Índice de Dor Espalhada e o painMAP foi encontrada. CONCLUSÃO: O Índice de Dor Espalhada e o painMAP mostraram correlação positiva fraca para avaliar as áreas de dor em participantes com dor espalhada.

Spreading the word: pediatric pain education from treatment to prevention.

Pain affects everyone hence one can argue that it is in each individual's interest to understand pain in order to hold correct and adaptive beliefs and attitudes about pain. In addition, chronic pain is reaching pandemic proportions and it is now well known that people living with chronic pain have a reduced life expectancy. To address and to prevent the growth of this public health disaster, we must start looking beyond adulthood. How children view pain has an impact on their behavioral coping responses which in turn predict persistent pain early in the lifespan. In addition, children who suffer from chronic pain and who are not (properly) treated for it before adolescence have an increased risk of having chronic pain during their adult life. Explaining pain to children and youth may have a tremendous impact not only on the individual child suffering from chronic pain but also on society, since the key to stop the pain pandemic may well lie in the first two decades of life. In order to facilitate the acquisition of adaptive behavioral coping responses, pain education aims to shift people's view on pain from being an apparent threat towards being a compelling perceptual experience generated by the brain that will only arise whenever the conceivable proof of danger to the body is greater than the conceivable proof of safety to the body. Nowadays a lot of pain education material is available for adults, but it is not adapted to children's developmental stage and therefore little or not suitable for them. An overview of the state-of-the-art pain education material for children and youth is provided here, along with its current and future areas of application as well as challenges to its development and delivery. Research on pediatric pain education is still in its infancy and many questions remain to be answered within this emerging field of investigation.

'Painting my pain': the use of pain drawings to assess multisite pain in women with primary dysmenorrhea.

BACKGROUND: To verify the use of pain drawing to assess multisite pain in with primary dysmenorrhea (PD) and to assess its divergent validity, test-retest reliability, intra- and inter-rater reliability and measurement errors. METHODS: Cross-sectional study. Adult women with self-reported PD three months prior to the study. Women answered the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and the pain drawing during two consecutive menstruations. The pain drawings were digitalized and assessed for the calculation of total pain area (%). Intra- and inter-rater reliability and the test-retest reliability between the first and the second menstruations were assessed with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Measurement errors were calculated with the standard error of measurement (SEM), smallest detectable change (SDC) and the Bland-Altman plot. Spearman correlation (rho) was used to check the correlation between the total pain area and pain intensity of the two menstruations. RESULTS: Fifty-six women (24.1 ± 3.1 years old) participated of the study. Their average pain was 6.2 points and they presented pain in the abdomen (100%), low back (78.6%), head (55.4%) and lower limbs (50%). All reliability measures were considered excellent (ICC > 0.75) for the total pain area; test-retest SEM and SDC were 5.7% and 15.7%, respectively. Inter-rater SEM and SDC were 8% and 22.1%, respectively. Correlation between total pain area and pain intensity was moderate in the first (rho = 0.30; p = 0.021) and in the second menstruations (rho = 0.40; p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Women with PD presented multisite pain, which could be assessed with the pain drawing, considered a reliable measurement.

Feasibility, Usability, and Implementation Context of an Internet-Based Pain Education and Exercise Program for Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain: Pilot Trial of the ReabilitaDOR Program.

BACKGROUND: Internet-based self-management programs and telerehabilitation initiatives have increased and have been extensively used for delivering health care in many areas. These programs overcome common barriers that patients face with traditional face-to-face health care, such as travel expenditures, lack of time, and high demand on the public health system. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this mode of web-based health care delivery had become more popular. However, there is still a lack of studies testing this mode of delivery in low- and middle-income countries. To gain a better understanding of the context, feasibility, and factors involved in the implementation of a web-based program, pilot and implementation studies are necessary. These studies can better inform whether a strategy is feasible, acceptable, and adequate for its purposes and for optimizing resource allocation. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the feasibility, usability, and implementation context of a self-management internet-based program based on exercises and pain education (ReabilitaDOR) in people with chronic musculoskeletal pain and to compare this program with a program using only a web-based self-management booklet. METHODS: The study design was a parallel pilot study of a prospectively registered, assessor-blinded, 2-arm randomized controlled trial with economic evaluation. This study was performed using waiting lists of physiotherapy and rehabilitation centers and advertisements on social media networks. The participants were 65 patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain aged between 18 and 60 years. The effects of an 8-week telerehabilitation program based on exercises and pain education (intervention group) were compared with those of a program based only on a web-based self-management booklet (control group). The main outcome measures were implementation outcomes of patients' perceptions of acceptability, appropriateness, feasibility, and usability of the program and the societal costs and feasibility of the main trial at 8-week posttreatment follow-up. Adverse events were also analyzed. RESULTS: In total, 56 participants were analyzed at the 8-week follow-up. The intervention group showed responses with a mean of 4.5 (SD 0.6) points for acceptability, 4.5 (SD 0.5) points for appropriateness, and 4.5 (SD 0.6) points for feasibility measured on a 1 to 5 scale. All patients in the intervention group showed satisfactory responses to the system usability outcome. There is satisfactory evidence for the feasibility of the main trial. For costs related to the interventions, health care, patients, and loss of productivity at 8 weeks, we found a total expenditure of US $278.30 per patient in the intervention group and US $141.52 per patient in the control group. No adverse events were reported during the intervention period. CONCLUSIONS: We found that the ReabilitaDOR program is feasible, appropriate, and acceptable from the users' implementation perspective. This system was considered usable by all the participants, and the main trial seemed feasible. Cost data were viable to be collected, and the program is likely to be safe. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04274439; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04274439.

Patients with fibromyalgia present different pain phenotypes compared to patients with generalized pain / Pacientes com fibromialgia apresentam fenótipos de dor diferentes em comparação com pacientes com dor generalizada

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Fibromyalgia and generalized pain represent a global health problem and are distinct musculoskeletal disorders, but there is an overlap in the clinical presentation between these conditions. However, no study has compared pain characteristics between patients with fibromyalgia and patients with generalized pain. Therefore, the present study aimed to compare pain characteristics and functional limitation of patients with fibromyalgia and patients with generalized pain. METHODS A pre-planned secondary analysis of data collected from 311 patients with musculoskeletal pain was performed. Pain characteristics included pain intensity, pain duration, pain area, symptoms of central sensitization, presence of neuropathic-like symptoms, and the conditioned pain modulation. The Patient-Specific Functional Scale assessed functional limitation. RESULTS 98 patients with generalized pain were identified, being 58 (59.18%) classified in the fibromyalgia group and 40 (40.82%) classified in the generalized pain group. Significant differences were found between groups for Widespread Pain Index, Symptom Severity Scale, and Polysymptomatic Distress Scale. Participants with fibromyalgia presented higher values of pain intensity (fibromyalgia = 7.29±2.07, generalized pain = 6.05±2.47; p=0.008), neuropathic-like symptoms (fibromyalgia = 17.74±7.62, generalized pain = 12.17±6.41; p=0.005), and symptoms of central sensitization (fibromyalgia = 51.32±14.26, generalized pain = 33.97±14.65; p<0.001), when compared with generalized pain. There was no significant difference in conditioned pain modulation and functional limitation between groups. CONCLUSION Patients with fibromyalgia exhibited unfavorable pain characteristics, including pain intensity, neuropathic-like symptoms, and symptoms of central sensitization compared to patients with generalized pain. However, pain duration, functional limitation, and conditioned pain modulation did not present meaningful differences between groups.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS Fibromialgia e dor generalizada representam um problema de saúde global e são distúrbios musculoesqueléticos distintos, mas há uma sobreposição na apresentação clínica entre essas condições. Entretanto, nenhum estudo comparou as características da dor entre os pacientes com estas condições. Portanto, o presente estudo teve como objetivo comparar as características da dor e a limitação funcional de pacientes com fibromialgia e dor generalizada. MÉTODOS Realizou-se uma análise secundária pré-planejada de dados coletados de 311 pacientes com dor musculoesquelética. As características da dor incluíram: intensidade da dor, duração da dor, área da dor, sintomas de sensibilização central, presença de sintomas neuropáticos e a modulação condicionada da dor. A escala de funcionalidade específica do paciente avaliou a limitação funcional. RESULTADOS Identificou-se 98 pacientes com dor generalizada, sendo 58 (59,18%) classificados no grupo de fibromialgia e 40 (40,82%) no grupo de dor generalizada. Diferenças significativas foram encontradas entre os grupos para o índice de dor generalizada, escala de severidade de sintomas e escala polissintomática de sofrimento. Os participantes com fibromialgia apresentaram maiores valores de intensidade da dor (fibromialgia = 7,29±2,07, dor generalizada = 6,05 ± 2,47; p=0,008), sintomas neuropáticos (fibromialgia = 17,74±7,62, dor generalizada = 12,17 ± 6,41; p=0,005) e sintomas de sensibilização central (fibromialgia = 51,32±14,26, dor generalizada = 33,97±14,65; p<0,001), quando comparados à dor generalizada. Não houve diferença significativa na modulação condicionada da dor e na limitação funcional entre os grupos. CONCLUSÃO Pacientes com fibromialgia exibiram características de dor desfavoráveis, incluindo intensidade de dor, sintomas neuropáticos e sintomas de sensibilização central, quando comparados a pacientes com dor generalizada. Entretanto, a duração da dor, a limitação funcional e a modulação condicionada da dor não apresentaram diferença significativa entre os grupos.

Which psychosocial factors are related to severe pain and functional limitation in patients with low back pain?: Psychosocial factors related to severe low back pain.

BACKGROUND: Low back pain (LBP) is a global public health issue. Psychosocial factors are linked to LBP. However, there is a lack of knowledge about the relation of psychosocial factors to clinical outcomes of patients with severe LBP. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between specific psychosocial factors with severe pain and functional limitation of patients with LBP. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 472 participants with LBP was conducted. Participants completed self-reported questionnaires, including psychosocial factors, characteristics of pain, and functional limitations. Two multivariable logistic regression models were performed with severe pain intensity (≥ 7 out of 10) and functional limitation (≥ 7 out of 10) (dependent variables) and 15 psychosocial factors (independent variables). RESULTS: One hundred twenty-five (26.5%) participants had severe LBP. Patients with catastrophising symptoms were 2.21 [95%Confidence Interval (CI): 1.30, 3.77] times more likely to have severe pain and 2.72 (95%CI: 1.75, 4.23) times more likely to have severe functional limitation than patients without catastrophising symptoms. Patients with maladaptive beliefs about rest were 2.75 (95%CI: 1.37, 5.52) times more likely to present with severe pain and 1.72 (95%CI: 1.04, 2.83) times more likely to have severe functional limitation. Patients with kinesiophobia were 3.34 (95%CI: 1.36, 8.24) times more likely to present with severe pain, and patients with social isolation were 1.98 (95%CI: 1.25, 3.14) times more likely to have severe functional limitation. CONCLUSION: Catastrophising, kinesiophobia, maladaptive beliefs about rest, and social isolation are related to unfavourable clinical outcomes of patients with LBP.

Therapeutic approach to pain-related fear and avoidance in adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain: an integrative review and a roadmap for clinicians / Abordagem terapêutica do medo relacionado à dor e da evitação em adultos com dor musculoesquelética crônica: revisão integrativa e roteiro para o clínico

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cognitive-behavioral approaches have been applied in patients with chronic pain as a treatment strategy to reduce symptoms and disability, since fear related to pain, kinesiophobia and catastrophizing may be important psychosocial barriers for recovery. The relevance of fear and avoidance behaviors in the development and maintenance of processes of disabling chronic pain is already well established in the scientific literature. CONTENTS: The cognitive-behavioral approach defines the relationship of pain with defense behaviors and the contribution to functional disability, assisting clinicians to recognize signs of these defensive behaviors during practice, as well as providing strategies for clinical practice, highlighting approaches that can be used, such as pain neuroscience education and exposure therapy. Therefore, it is possible to provide a guide to facilitate the implementation of these concepts in clinical practice for the management of chronic musculoskeletal pain, helping clinicians to ground the theories of fear learning and avoidance in the context of pain and to address the psychosocial factors of patients who present an association between pain and movement. CONCLUSION: Pain-related fear and catastrophic thoughts influence pain intensity and functional disability. Recognizing pain within a multidimensional context assists in establishing targeted approaches. Cognitive-behavioral approaches based on exposure therapy focus on the view beyond body structures.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: As abordagens cognitivo-comportamentais têm sido aplicadas em pacientes com dor crônica como estratégia de tratamento para redução de sintomas e incapacidade, uma vez que o medo relacionado a dor, a cinesiofobia e a catastrofização podem representar barreiras psicossociais importantes para a recuperação. A relevância do medo e de comportamentos de evitação no desenvolvimento e manutenção de processos de dor crônica incapacitante já é bem estabelecida na literatura científica. CONTEÚDO: A abordagem cognitivo-comportamental fundamenta a relação da dor com comportamentos de defesa e a contribuição para a incapacidade funcional, auxiliando os clínicos a reconhecer sinais destes comportamentos defensivos na prática, além de fornecer estratégias para prática clínica, destacando as abordagens que podem ser utilizadas, como a educação em neurociência da dor e as terapias de exposição. Dessa maneira, é possível fornecer um guia para facilitar a implementação desses conceitos na prática clínica para a abordagem de pessoas com dor musculoesquelética crônica, ajudando os clínicos a fundamentar as teorias de aprendizado do medo e evitação no contexto da dor e a lidar com fatores psicossociais dos pacientes que apresentam associação entre dor e movimento. CONCLUSÃO: O medo relacionado à dor e os pensamentos catastróficos influenciam na intensidade da dor e na incapacidade funcional. O reconhecimento da dor dentro do contexto multidimensional auxilia no estabelecimento de abordagens direcionadas. As abordagens cognitivo-comportamentais baseadas em terapia de exposição têm como enfoque o olhar para além das estruturas do corpo.

Use of the painDETECT to discriminate musculoskeletal pain phenotypes.

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal pain patients present similar pain characteristics regardless of the clinical diagnosis. PainDETECT questionnaire is useful for screening neuropathic-like symptoms in many musculoskeletal conditions. However, no previous studies compared pain phenotypes of patients with musculoskeletal pain using the painDETECT. Therefore, the current study aimed to compare the pain characteristics of patients with musculoskeletal pain classified according to the painDETECT as nociceptive pain, unclear, and neuropathic-like symptoms. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 308 participants with musculoskeletal pain. Demographic and clinical characteristics of the participants were examined. Neuropathic-like symptoms, pain intensity, pain area, Central Sensitization-related sign and symptoms, functional limitation, and conditioned pain modulation were assessed in patients with musculoskeletal pain. Independent one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test for between-group differences for the outcome measures with continuous variables and Pearson chi-square test verified between-group differences on the efficiency of the conditioned pain modulation. RESULTS: Participants had a mean age of 52.21 (±15.01) years old and 220 (71.42%) were females. One hundred seventy-three (56.16%) participants present nociceptive pain, 69 (22.40%) unclear, and 66 (21.42%) neuropathic-like symptoms. A one-way ANOVA showed differences for the pain intensity [F (2,305) = 20.097; p < .001], pain area [F (2,305) = 28.525; p < .001], Central Sensitization-related sign and symptoms [F (2,305) = 54.186; p < .001], and functional limitation [F (2,256) = 8.061; p < .001]. However, conditioned pain modulation was similarly impaired among the three groups (X2 = 0.333, p = 0.847). CONCLUSION: Patients with neuropathic-like symptoms revealed unfavorable pain characteristics compared to their counterparts, including pain intensity, generalized pain, Central Sensitization-related sign and symptoms, and functional limitation.

Cross-cultural adaptation of the painDETECT questionnaire into Brazilian Portuguese.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Neuropathic pain is common in the general population worldwide and Brazil. The painDETECT questionnaire is a notable instrument for screening on neuropathic pain. A Brazilian version of the painDETECT is necessary to broaden the possibilities of identification of neuropathic pain in the Brazilian population for the proper diagnosis and treatment. The current study aimed to perform the translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the painDETECT into the Portuguese language of Brazil. METHODS: A cross-cultural adaptation study was conducted in 11 stages according to standard procedures. Descriptive statistics were performed. The internal consistency of the questionnaire was assessed using Cronbach's Alpha test (α). RESULTS: Four translators, 10 experts, and 30 patients participated in the study. The expert committee adapted five out of nine items (item 2, 3, 6, 8, and 10) to the Brazilian context. The pretesting phase showed good internal consistency (α = 0.74) for the nine items, including the pain pattern and the body chart domains. The Cronbach's α of the instrument with seven descriptor items of pain was 0.83. CONCLUSIONS: The painDETECT was cross-culturally adapted into a Brazilian context and can be used to identify neuropathic components in pain of Brazilian patients. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: PainDETECT is available for Brazilians to identify neuropathic components in pain.

Structural equation modelling provides insights to understand the construct of chronic pain in women with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to adopt a multidimensional approach and investigate the interconnections between biomarkers (cytokines, matrix metalloproteinases, and cortisol) and psychosocial aspects considering pain acceptance, the individual construct of pain perception in terms of blood inflammation biomarkers, anxiety, self-efficacy, and functional performance and to define the quality of life (QoL) in women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: An observational cross-sectional study with a total of 42-RA participants, with chronic pain and 42-women without rheumatic diseases or chronic pain were included. A structural equation model was used to investigate the association between independent variables. RESULTS: Women with RA presented high blood biomarker levels, representing an intense inflammatory process. The participants with RA reported moderate pain most of the time, a worsening QoL, functionality, engagement in activities, and a willingness to live with pain and self-efficacy. It was found that the higher the chronic pain, the greater the intensity of pain perceived by these women with RA, as well as, the worse the functionality, the higher the perceived pain. CONCLUSIONS: The exacerbation of pain perception leads to worsening of the experience of chronic pain. The new construct of pain experience should include functionality as a crucial factor in understanding the mechanisms underlying pain.

Development of the Avoidance Daily Activities Photo Scale for Patients With Shoulder Pain.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to develop the Avoidance of Daily Activities Photo Scale (ADAP Shoulder Scale) to measure shoulder pain-related avoidance behavior in patients with shoulder pain and evaluate and report the structural validity and internal consistency of the scale. METHODS: Potential daily activities involving the shoulder were selected from the activities and participation domain of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. The selected activities were presented to an expert panel, health care professionals, and patients with shoulder pain with the question "How much do you think it is important to ask patients with shoulder pain about this activity?" Activities attaining a content validity index (CVI) ≥ 0.8 were represented using a digitally colored photograph. Activity photographs were evaluated by health care professionals and patients with shoulder pain. Photographs with a CVI ≥ 0.8 were included in the scale. To evaluate structural validity and internal consistency of the scale, exploratory factor analysis was performed to determine the presence of any scale domain. Cronbach alpha was calculated to indicate the internal consistency of each domain. RESULTS: Of the 107 preselected activities, 21 attained a CVI ≥ 0.8. Eighteen photographs (CVI ≥ 0.8) were included in the scale after being analyzed by 120 health care professionals and 50 patients with shoulder pain. Exploratory factor analysis (N = 156) showed that the ADAP Shoulder Scale consists of 3 domains: free movement, high effort, and self-care. The internal consistencies of the domains were 0.92, 0.89, and 0.92, respectively. CONCLUSION: The ADAP Shoulder Scale included 15 photographs distributed in 3 domains. All domains had a high internal consistency. The scale is easily applicable, well understood, and relevant for shoulder pain. IMPACT: The ADAP Shoulder Scale can be used to rate shoulder pain-related avoidance behaviors.

Two-point discrimination and judgment of laterality in individuals with chronic unilateral non-traumatic shoulder pain.

BACKGROUND: Cortical representation of the painful body region may be disrupted in several chronic pain conditions. The two-point discrimination test (TPDT) and the Left/Right Judgement Task (LRJT) have been used to identify changes in the cortical body schema in several chronic pain conditions. However, it is unclear if these changes are present for all chronic pain mechanisms. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the integrity of the body schema of the painful shoulder in patients with chronic unilateral nociceptive shoulder pain. METHODS: The sample consisted of 52 individuals with chronic unilateral nociceptive shoulder pain. The TPDT was measured over the anterosuperior and lateral regions of both shoulders using a staircase method. Participants also performed judgment tests of shoulder and foot laterality. The comparison of the TPDT and LRJT was performed using the linear regression model with mixed effects. RESULTS: There was no difference in TPDT in the anterosuperior and lateral regions when comparing the symptomatic and asymptomatic shoulders. There was no difference in the LRJT accuracy and response time between the symptomatic and asymptomatic shoulders. No differences were observed when comparing LRJT variables from symptomatic shoulder and foot. CONCLUSION: Therefore, results do not provide clear evidence of altered body schema in chronic nociceptive unilateral shoulder pain. This suggest that alterations in body representations may depend on the primary pain mechanism.