Mindfulness in the Clinic Waiting Room May Decrease Pain: Results from Three Pilot Randomized Controlled Trials.

Introduction: Mindfulness interventions can improve a broad range of patient outcomes, but traditional mindfulness-based interventions are time and resource intensive. Emerging evidence indicates brief, single-session mindfulness interventions can also improve patient outcomes, and brief mindfulness interventions can be embedded into medical care pathways with minimal disruption. However, the direct impact of a brief mindfulness intervention on patients' pain while waiting in the clinic waiting room remains unexamined. Objective: A series of three, pilot, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were conducted to examine the impact of a brief, audio-recorded, mindfulness intervention on patients' pain in the clinic waiting room. Method: Study 1 examined an 8-min mindfulness recording delivered before a provider visit; Study 2 examined a 5-min mindfulness recording after a provider visit; and Study 3 examined a 4-min mindfulness recording before a provider visit. Time- and attention-matched control conditions were used in each study. Studies 1 and 2 were conducted in an academic cancer hospital. Study 3 was conducted at a walk-in orthopedic clinic. Pain intensity was measured in each of the three studies. Anxiety and depression symptoms were measured in Studies 2 and 3. Pain unpleasantness was measured in Study 3. Results: A brief (i.e., 4- to 8-min), audio-recorded mindfulness intervention decreased patients' pain intensity in the clinic waiting room, whether delivered before (Study 1 Cohen's d=1.01, Study 3 Cohen's d=0.39) or after (Study 2 Cohen's d=0.89) a provider visit. Mindfulness had a significant effect on anxiety symptoms in both studies in which it was measured. No effect on depression symptoms was observed. Conclusions: Results from these three pilot RCTs indicate brief, audio-recorded, mindfulness interventions may be capable of quickly decreasing clinical symptoms. As such, embedding brief, audio-recorded, mindfulness interventions in clinic waiting rooms may have the potential to improve patient outcomes. The continued investigation of this intervention approach is needed. Clinical Trial Registrations: NCT04477278 and NCT06099964.

Simultaneous Bilateral Quadriceps Tendon Rupture Secondary to Parathyroid Carcinoma: A Case Report.

Simultaneous bilateral quadriceps tendon ruptures are a rare occurrence commonly associated with a traumatic event or systemic disease. A 31-year-old man presented with simultaneous bilateral quadriceps tendon ruptures with associated hyperparathyroidism secondary to parathyroid carcinoma. The injury occurred after the patient attempted to lift a small wooden log from the ground. We discussed the multidisciplinary management of this patient resulting in bilateral quadriceps tendon repairs, tumor resection, and oncological and endocrinological restoration. Clinical follow-up is reported at 15 years after surgery. Parathyroid carcinoma is an extremely rare cancer and rarely the cause of hyperparathyroidism. The systemic effects of the tumor eventually lead to the rupturing of both quadriceps tendons. Orthopaedic physicians must remain vigilant in identifying the root cause of injuries that are atypical in nature.

Bilateral Ischial Tuberosity Stress Fractures in an Adolescent Football Player: A Case Report.

ABSTRACT: Pelvic stress fractures are rare, making up an estimated 1% to 7% of all stress fractures with the primary locations being the pubic rami, pubic symphysis, and sacrum. Two cases of stress fractures of the ischium have been previously described in the literature, with both occurring in the ischial body. In this case, a 17-year-old high school American football player presented with nonspecific pelvic pain and bilateral point tenderness on deep palpation of the ischial tuberosities. Advanced imaging identified bilateral ischial tuberosity stress fractures. This report outlines the diagnosis and management of the first reported case of bilateral ischial tuberosity stress fractures. We report how ischial tuberosity stress fractures present clinically, potential management strategies, and highlight the use of computed tomography imaging for pelvic stress fractures. Knowledge of unusual stress fracture locations may improve early diagnosis, limit complications, reduce healthcare costs, and promote an accelerated recovery time.

Norm-Based Cutoffs as Predictors of Prolonged Recovery After Adolescent Sport-Related Concussion.

OBJECTIVES: To identify predictors of prolonged recovery (ie, >28 days) using patient demographic factors and healthy, norm-based cutoffs on a multimodal test battery in adolescents after sport-related concussions (SRCs). DESIGN: Retrospective cohort. Patients were deemed recovered after successful completion of return-to-play/school protocols and received medical clearance. SETTING: Community concussion clinic. PATIENTS: Male and female adolescent student athletes diagnosed with a SRC and evaluated within 1 week of injury. INDEPENDENT VARIABLES: Patient demographics, medical history, injury description, computerized neurocognitive testing, vestibular/ocular testing, and symptoms at initial clinical visit. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Performance on clinical testing to predict recovery duration, classified as normal (<28 days) or prolonged (>28 days). RESULTS: A total of 201 adolescent student athletes (age = 15.3 ± 1.4 years) were included (female 35%). Average recovery duration for the entire cohort was 22.3 ± 13.3 days, with 22% (n = 45) of adolescent student athletes taking >28 days to recover. The final model was 88.3% accurate in classifying normal and prolonged recovery. Predictor variables included sex, loss of consciousness, history of ocular disorder, history of concussion, performance on visual motor speed composite, visual motion sensitivity symptom provocation and near point of convergence distance, number-naming total time, and symptom count. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that using norm-based cutoffs from cognitive, oculomotor, and vestibulo-ocular testing and symptom reporting, clinicians can accurately predict a prolonged recovery (sensitivity = 81%) and normal recovery (specificity = 83%) in an adolescent, SRC cohort.

Feasibility and Clinical Utility of Assessing Behavioral and Psychological Risk Factors in Pain Management.

BACKGROUND: The role of psychological factors influencing chronic pain is well documented, although less is known about the implication and logistics of conducting behavioral and psychological assessments in clinical practice, specifically within pain management. OBJECTIVES: To identify the feasibility and clinical utility of assessing behavioral and psychological risk factors in pain management, as well as documenting the challenges and opportunities of integrating multidisciplinary care into a pain management practice. STUDY DESIGN: A convenience sample of pain management patients was prospectively recruited from a private, multispecialty orthopedic clinic in Tallahassee, Florida. All patients reported experiencing chronic pain (i.e., greater than 3 months). METHODS: Patients were approached before their initial clinical interaction at the pain management clinic. Approximately one year following their initial appointment, medical records were reviewed to determine the patients' responses to treatment and subsequent management of their ailments. RESULTS: Findings from the pilot study suggest that the behavioral and psychological assessments identified much higher rates of depression and suicidal ideations and lower resilience within the sample than in previously published US rates. The median time to complete the consent and battery was 30.2 minutes [interquartile range: 21]. This suggests that a shortened battery appears feasible in a pain management practice and could offer benefit by identifying factors that are known to impact clinical care. LIMITATIONS: This study is limited in sample size, restricting generalizability. The incomplete follow-up survey data and cross-sectional nature of the study are also limitations. CONCLUSIONS: The utility and feasibility of psychological and behavioral health assessments appear to be a critical component of a pain management practice as there is substantial overlap with psychological comorbidities (e.g., depression and anxiety) and chronic pain. Positive affect, such as resilience, may act to confer some protection against the sequelae of chronic pain, and identifying such factors appears vital.

Utilizing Multidisciplinary Medicine in Pain Management: A Narrative Review.

BACKGROUND: The role of psychological factors influencing chronic pain has been well documented. This review includes a historical perspective and current examination of the literature on psychological and behavioral health characteristics and their influence on chronic pain. OBJECTIVES: To identify psychological and behavioral health factors involved with chronic pain, as well as the challenges and opportunities of integrating multidisciplinary care into a pain management practice. STUDY DESIGN: Narrative review of peer-reviewed literature examining psychological and behavioral health factors associated with poor clinical outcomes with an emphasis on orthopedics. METHODS: The Medline database was reviewed to identify peer-reviewed research that discussed psychological and behavioral health factors relevant to pain management or orthopedics. RESULTS: The evidence provided suggests that these constructs should receive strong consideration when managing chronic pain. The incorporation of such factors may improve patient care and clinical outcomes and reduce total health care costs. LIMITATIONS: This narrative review is not systematic in nature, but rather focused on the impacts on orthopedics and pain management. CONCLUSIONS: Psychological and behavioral health factors should be an integral component of a pain management practice as there is substantial overlap between depression and anxiety with chronic pain. Positive affect, such as resilience, may act as a buffer and confer some protection against the sequelae of chronic pain. There is evidence that psychological screeners offer further insight into the patient condition and would contribute to the treatment plan. The novel role of a behavioral health navigator in a pain management clinic is worthy of further exploration as it has proved beneficial in other chronic health conditions.

Postexercise Slowing on the King-Devick Test and Longer Recovery From Sport-Related Concussion in Adolescents: A Validation Study.

CONTEXT: The King-Devick (KD) test is a rapid number-reading test that has emerging use in the assessment of sport-related concussion (SRC). Previous research suggested that healthy individuals and patients with acute concussions who had shorter recovery times (<3 weeks) demonstrated a learning effect on the KD test after mild to moderate exertion, whereas patients with longer recovery times did not. OBJECTIVE: To assess if the absence of postexertional improvement on the KD test within 10 days of concussive head injury was associated with a longer duration of recovery. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: University concussion-management clinics. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Male and female adolescent athletes (n = 99, aged 13-18 years) presenting within 10 days of SRC. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The KD test was administered before and after the Buffalo Concussion Treadmill Test (BCTT). Days from injury to recovery, with recovery defined as being asymptomatic, confirmed by the assessment of a physician who was blinded to the treatment group, and the return of normal exercise tolerance on the BCTT were recorded. RESULTS: Participants with postexertional slowing (PES group, n = 33) had a longer duration of recovery (17 days versus 13.5 days, P = .033) than participants without PES (no-PES group, n = 66). At any clinic visit, PES was also associated with a relative risk of 2.36 (95% confidence interval = 1.55, 3.61; P < .001) of not recovering within the following week. CONCLUSIONS: The current study validates our prior work showing that acutely concussed adolescents who did not display the typical learning effect on the KD test after the BCTT took longer to recover from SRC than those who exhibited the typical learning effect.

Office-Based Kyphoplasty: A Viable Option Using Local Anesthesia with Oral Sedation.

BACKGROUND: Vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) can be conservatively treated with pain management, bracing, and bed rest, or treated surgically with a kyphoplasty or vertebroplasty procedure. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this retrospective review was to assess the viability, safety, and efficacy of using local anesthesia with oral sedation for an office-based kyphoplasty procedure. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review. SETTING: Private orthopedic clinic. METHODS: Ninety-nine consecutive patients (9 office-based and 90 ambulatory surgical centers [ASC]) between January 2015 to May 2017 receiving their first percutaneous balloon kyphoplasty (PBK) with our physician in an office-based setting or at an ASC. Clinical outcomes observed were rates of surgical complications, 6-month re-fracture rates, adjacent fracture rates, and postprocedure medical management. RESULTS: No intraoperative complications were observed during the PBK procedure. No re-fractures occurred during the 6-month follow-up window. A total of 6% of the patients experienced an adjacent vertebral compression fracture, but there were no significant differences between facility type. Level-specific verbal pain score at the postoperative follow-up visit was significantly lower than at the preoperative visit for the cohort (5.3 ± 3.1 vs.7.5 ± 2.0) (P = 0.001) and the ASC group (5.5 ± 3.1 vs. 7.5 ± 2.0) (P = 0.002). LIMITATIONS: Only 9 single-level office-based PBKs were performed by a single physician andfollowed for at least 6 months suggesting these findings cannot be generalized to all patients, practitioners, facilities, or vertebral augmentation procedures (VAPs). CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, this study of a continuous series of primary PBKs was the first to report the safety of an office-based procedure. The cohort reported significantly lower pain at their first postoperative follow-up visit when compared to their preoperative visit, adding to the body of evidence that PBKs are an effective treatment for pain associated with VCFs. The overall adjacent fracture rate in this series (6%) was slightly lower than previously reported for VAPs performed in a hospital under local anesthesia (7%-13%). KEY WORDS: Osteoporosis, vertebral compression fracture, kyphoplasty, local anesthesia, office- based, oral sedation.

A Physiologically Based Approach to Prescribing Exercise Following a Sport-Related Concussion.

Clinical management of concussion has evolved over the last 20 years, and complete cognitive and physical rest remains a common clinical recommendation. The duration of rest may vary widely, from 24-48 h to several weeks or until the patient's symptoms have resolved or returned to near baseline levels. Following a period of rest, a stepwise progression of exercise is used for gradual return to play or to work. Previous research in healthy people suggested that prolonged periods of physical inactivity consistently induced deleterious physiological and psychological effects. A growing body of evidence indicates that initiating exercise earlier in the recovery process following a concussion may reduce symptom burden and lower the incidence of post-concussion syndrome. Preliminary findings appear promising, but data on the appropriate exercise prescription for patients who recently sustained a concussion are limited. We reviewed the literature in healthy individuals and patients with concussion and post-concussion syndrome to develop a physiologically based exercise prescription for the days following a concussion. Using this, practitioners may shorten the rest period and initiate controlled exercise earlier during the recovery process following a concussion.

Resistance training during a 12-week protein supplemented VLCD treatment enhances weight-loss outcomes in obese patients.

BACKGROUND: This investigation evaluated the efficacy by which resistance training enhances body composition, metabolic, and functional outcomes for obese patients undergoing a 12-week medically supervised hypocaloric treatment. METHODS: This was a single-blind, randomized, parallel-group prospective trial. Morbidly obese patients were prescribed a 12-week proprietary very low calorie diet (VLCD) treatment (Optifast®) with supplemental protein (1120 kcals/day) and were placed in one of two groups for 14 weeks: 1) Standard Treatment Control (CON) (n = 5) or 2) Resistance Training (RT) (n = 6). Both groups underwent a pedometer-based walking program; however only RT performed resistance training 3 days/week for 12 weeks. Body composition, resting energy expenditure (REE), neuromuscular function, and serum biomarkers were measured at weeks 0, 6, and 13. RESULTS: Both groups exhibited a significant loss of total body mass (TBM) (CON: -19.4 ± 2.3 kg, p = 0.0009 vs. RT: -15.8 ± 1.5 kg, p = 0.0002) and fat mass (FM) (CON: -14.7 ± 1.8 kg, p = 0.0002 vs. RT: -15.1 ± 2.1 kg, p = 0.0002) with no group differences. CON lost 4.6 ± 0.8 kg (p = 0.004) of lean mass (LM) while RT demonstrated no changes. Group differences were found for the relative proportion of total weight-loss due to FM-loss (CON: 75.6 ± 3.4% vs. RT: 96.0 ± 6.0%, p = 0.03) and LM-loss (CON: 24.4 ± 3.2% vs. RT: 4.0 ± 6.5%, p = 0.03). CON demonstrated a 328.6 ± 72.7 kcal/day (-14.3 ± 2.4%) (p = 0.02) decrease in REE while RT exhibited a non-significant decrease of 4.6 ± 1.6% (p = 0.78). RT demonstrated greater improvements in all measures of contractile function and strength when compared to CON (p < 0.05). At post-treatment, RT exhibited greater serum free fatty acids (p = 0.01), glycerol (p = 0.003), and ß-hydroxybutyrate (p = 0.005) than CON. CONCLUSION: Resistance training was advantageous for weight-loss composition by preservation of LM without compromising overall weight- or fat-loss in morbidly obese men and women undergoing a protein supplemented VLCD. These changes accompanied positive adaptations for resting metabolism and muscular function.

Test Performance and Test-Retest Reliability of the Vestibular/Ocular Motor Screening and King-Devick Test in Adolescent Athletes During a Competitive Sport Season.

BACKGROUND: The Vestibular/Ocular Motor Screening (VOMS) and King-Devick (K-D) test are tools designed to assess ocular or vestibular function after a sport-related concussion. PURPOSE: To determine the test-retest reliability and rate of false-positive results of the VOMS and K-D test in a healthy athlete sample. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: Forty-five healthy high school student-athletes (mean age, 16.11 ± 1.43 years) completed self-reported demographics and medical history and were administered the VOMS and K-D test during rest on day 1 (baseline). The VOMS and K-D test were administered again once during rest (prepractice) and once within 5 minutes of removal from sport practice on day 2 (removal). The Borg rating of perceived exertion scale was administered at removal. Intraclass correlation coefficients were used to determine test-retest reliability on the K-D test and the average near point of convergence (NPC) distance on the VOMS. Level of agreement was used to examine VOMS symptom provocation over the 3 administration times. Multivariate base rates were used to determine the rate of false-positive results when simultaneously considering multiple clinical cutoffs. RESULTS: Test-retest reliability of total time on the K-D test (0.91 [95% CI, 0.86-0.95]) and NPC distance (0.91 [95% CI, 0.85-0.95]) was high across the 3 administration times. Level of agreement ranged from 48.9% to 88.9% across all 3 times for the VOMS items. Using established clinical cutoffs, false-positive results occurred in 2% of the sample using the VOMS at removal and 36% using the K-D test. CONCLUSION: The VOMS displayed a false-positive rate of 2% in this high school student-athlete cohort. The K-D test's false-positive rate was 36% while maintaining a high level of test-retest reliability (0.91). Results from this study support future investigation of VOMS administration in an acutely injured high school athletic sample. Going forward, the VOMS may be more stable than other neurological and symptom report screening measures and less vulnerable to false-positive results than the K-D test.

Comparison of baseline ImPACT performance in amateur motocross riders to football and basketball athletes.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: The American Motorcyclist Association requires professional riders to undergo baseline computerized neurocognitive testing (CNT) using the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) test for concussion management. It is recommended this practice be expanded to the amateur level, but limited research has explored whether baseline testing is necessary for youth when normative data is available. This study evaluates the utility of baseline testing for amateur riders by comparing their performance to those of traditional youth sports comprising normative datasets. DESIGN/METHODS: An cross-sectional study comparing amateur motocross (N = 100) riders matched by age and sex to football (N = 100) and basketball (N = 100) athletes performance on baseline ImPACT testing. RESULTS: ANCOVAs revealed a significant medium effect of group on measures of visual motor speed (F = 11.25, p < 0.001) and reaction time (F = 13.61, p < 0.001). Post hoc analyses revealed that motocross riders were significantly slower compared to football and basketball athletes. There were no significant differences (p > .05) between sport on measures of memory or symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Youth motocross riders performed significantly slower on speed measures compared to football and basketball athletes, providing preliminary support for the expansion of baseline ImPACT testing to the amateur level.

Comparison of the effects of electrical stimulation and cold-water immersion on muscle soreness after resistance exercise.

CONTEXT: Resistance training is a common form of exercise for competitive and recreational athletes. Enhancing recovery from resistance training may improve the muscle-remodeling processes, stimulating a faster return to peak performance. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of 2 different recovery modalities, neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) and cold-water immersion (CWI), on performance and biochemical and ultrasonographic measures. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty resistance-trained men (23.1 ± 2.9 y, 175.2 ± 7.1 cm, 82.1 ± 8.4 kg) were randomly assigned to NMES, CWI, or control (CON). DESIGN AND SETTING: All participants completed a high-volume lower-body resistance-training workout on d 1 and returned to the human performance laboratory 24 (24H) and 48 h (48 H) postexercise for follow-up testing. MEASURES: Blood samples were obtained preexercise (PRE) and immediately (IP), 30 min (30 P), 24 h (24H), and 48 h (48 H) post. Subjects were examined for performance changes in the squat exercise (total repetitions and average power per repetition), biomarkers of inflammation, and changes in cross-sectional area and echo intensity (EI) of the rectus femoris (RF) and vastus lateralis muscles. RESULTS: No differences between groups were observed in the number of repetitions (P = .250; power: P = .663). Inferential-based analysis indicated that increases in C-reactive protein concentrations were likely increased by a greater magnitude after CWI compared with CON, while NMES possibly decreased more than CON from IP to 24H. Increases in interleukin-10 concentrations between IP and 30 P were likely greater in CWI than NMES but not different from CON. Inferential-based analysis of RF EI indicated a likely decrease for CWI between IP and 48 H. No other differences between groups were noted in any other muscle-architecture measures. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicated that CWI induced greater increases in pro- and anti-inflammatory markers, while decreasing RF EI, suggesting that CWI may be effective in enhancing short-term muscle recovery after high-volume bouts of resistance exercise.