Assistência de Enfermagem a pacientes com dor lombar / Nursing care for patients with low back pain: a scope review / Cuidados de enfermería para pacientes con lumbalgia: una revisión de alcance

Objetivo: identificar na literatura e descrever a assistência prestada por enfermeiros a pacientes com dor lombar. Método: revisão de escopo, segundo método Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) e recomendações Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Review (PRISMA-ScR). Foi utilizada a estratégia de pesquisa População-Conceito-Contexto para compor a questão de pesquisa. Foram incluídos artigos de seis bases de dados indexadas, sem limite de tempo, nos idiomas português, inglês e espanhol. Resultados: obtiveram-se 1.025 artigos com a busca nas bases de dados, sendo selecionadas 23 publicações para análise após a aplicação dos critérios de exclusão. As informações foram categorizadas em histórico e avaliação do paciente, intervenções invasivas e não invasivas e educação em saúde. Conclusões: há prevalência de intervenções não farmacológicas e práticas educativas no acompanhamento do enfermeiro ao paciente com dor lombar. O sucesso no cuidado é reforçado pela capacidade do profissional em sistematizar a assistência prestada.(AU)

Objective: to identify in the literature and describe the assistance provided by nurses to patients with low back pain. Method: scope review, according to the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) method and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Review (PRISMA-ScR) recommendations. The research strategy Population-Concept-Context was used to compose the research question. Articles from six indexed databases were included, with no time limit, in Portuguese, English and Spanish. Results: 1,025 articles were obtained after searching the databases, with 23 publications selected for analysis after applying the exclusion criteria. Information was categorized into patient history and assessment, invasive and non-invasive interventions, and health education. Conclusions: there is a prevalence of non-pharmacological interventions and educational practices in nurses' monitoring of patients with low back pain. Success in care is reinforced by the professional's ability to systematize the assistance provided.(AU)

Objetivo: identificar en la bibliografía y describir la asistencia prestada por enfermeras a pacientes con lumbalgia. Método: revisión del alcance, según el método del Instituto Joanna Briggs (JBI) y las recomendaciones Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Review (PRISMA-ScR). Se utilizó la estrategia Población-Concepto-Contexto para componer la pregunta de investigación. Se incluyeron artículos de seis bases de datos indexadas, sin límite de tiempo, en los idiomas portugués, inglés y español. Resultados: se obtuvieron 1025 artículos con la búsqueda en las bases de datos y 23 publicaciones para análisis después de aplicar los criterios de exclusión. La información fue categorizada en historia y evaluación del paciente, intervenciones invasivas y no invasivas y educación para la salud. Conclusiones: Existe una prevalencia de intervenciones no farmacológicas y prácticas educativas en los cuidados de enfermería a pacientes con lumbalgia. El éxito en la atención se ve reforzado por la capacidad del profesional para sistematizar la asistencia prestada.(AU)

In vivo exposure for fear of pain and avoidance of movement in low back pain.

OBJECTIVES: to verify the effects of hierarchization and in vivo exposure for fear of pain, avoidance of movement, and anxiety in chronic low back pain. METHODS: quasi-experimental study. The 27 patients who participated graded the damage associated with the movements in each of the 40 activities of daily living depicted in pictures using a scale from 0 to 100. The patients chose five out of all the activities that received a score higher than 50 to carry out the exposure. The intensities of fear and anxiety were measured before and after each exposure session. RESULTS: the frequencies of the gender were equal, and the mean age was 44.9 years. The activities chosen more frequently for the exposure were shoveling (33.3%) and running (33.3%). There was reduction of fear and anxiety before and after exposure (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: hierarchization and in vivo exposure were effective in reducing fear and anxiety.

How to care for adults with low back pain in the primary care setting.

Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most frequent patient complaints in primary care. This article discusses the assessment and treatment of patients with LBP, including nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic approaches.

Development of a Web Exercise Video for Nursing Intervention in Outpatients With Low Back Pain.

The purpose of this study was to develop a Web exercise video for nursing intervention among outpatients with low back pain by applying the analysis-design-development-implementation-evaluation model to promote continuous exercise. During the analysis phase, we assessed the needs for the lower back exercise video as well as details of the current situations of the participants. Additionally, we investigated the intervention methods that the medical practitioners thought would be helpful in promoting lower back exercise. After the design and development phase, a lower back exercise video of 5 minutes 46 seconds was developed. The main contents in the video were the stretching and flexing exercises of the spine and muscles, including "One knee to chest," "Both knees to chest," "Hip bridge," "Prone position to erect spine," "Kneeling back extension," "Kneeling, opposite arm and leg raised," and "Sitting rotation stretch." For the implementation and analysis phase, a pilot test was done. The lower back exercise video was posted on the Web site, and participants watched the video and exercised individually. Participants reported that they were able to use the Web video whenever required, and after following the video a few times, they grew accustomed to the practice and were able to perform it repeatedly to help strengthen the lower back. In the future, experimental research is needed to confirm the effectiveness of exercise using Web video.

In vivo exposure for fear of pain and avoidance of movement in low back pain / Exposición en vivo al miedo al dolor y evitación del movimiento en dolor lumbar / Exposição ao vivo para o medo da dor e evitação do movimento em dor lombar

ABSTRACT Objectives: to verify the effects of hierarchization and in vivo exposure for fear of pain, avoidance of movement, and anxiety in chronic low back pain. Methods: quasi-experimental study. The 27 patients who participated graded the damage associated with the movements in each of the 40 activities of daily living depicted in pictures using a scale from 0 to 100. The patients chose five out of all the activities that received a score higher than 50 to carry out the exposure. The intensities of fear and anxiety were measured before and after each exposure session. Results: the frequencies of the gender were equal, and the mean age was 44.9 years. The activities chosen more frequently for the exposure were shoveling (33.3%) and running (33.3%). There was reduction of fear and anxiety before and after exposure (p<0.001). Conclusions: hierarchization and in vivo exposure were effective in reducing fear and anxiety.

RESUMEN Objetivos: verificar los efectos de la jerarquización y exposición viva al supuesto miedo al dolor y evitar el movimiento y la ansiedad en pacientes con dolor lumbar crónico. Métodos: estudio cuasiexperimental. Los 27 pacientes que participaron clasificaron el dolor de cada uno de los 40 movimientos de la actividad cotidiana representados en fotos, utilizando una escala de 0-100. Entre las actividades clasificadas con más de 50, eligieron 5 para realizar la exposición. La intensidad del miedo y la ansiedad fueron medidas antes y después de cada sesión de exposición. Resultados: la muestra expresó equivalencia entre sexos, media etaria de 44,9 años. Las actividades más elegidas para la exposición fueron: trabajar con la pala (33,3%) y correr (33,3%). Hubo reducción del miedo y de la ansiedad antes y después de las exposiciones (p<0,001). Conclusiones: la jerarquización y exposición vivas fueron efectivas para reducir el miedo y la ansiedad.

RESUMO Objetivos: verificar os efeitos do uso da hierarquização e exposição ao vivo para a crença de medo da dor e evitação do movimento e ansiedade em pacientes com dor lombar crônica. Métodos: estudo quase-experimental. Os 27 pacientes que participaram graduaram o dano de cada um dos 40 movimentos de atividades da vida diária representados em fotos, utilizando uma escala de 0 a 100. Dentre as atividades graduadas acima de 50, escolheram 5 para realizar a exposição. As intensidades do medo e da ansiedade foram mensuradas antes e depois de cada sessão de exposição. Resultados: a frequência entre os sexos foi equitativa, a média da idade foi de 44,9 anos. As atividades mais escolhidas para a exposição foram trabalhar com a pá (33,3%) e correr (33,3%). Houve redução do medo e ansiedade antes e após as exposições (p<0,001). Conclusões: a hierarquização e exposição ao vivo foram efetivas na redução do medo e da ansiedade.

Between hope and fear: A qualitative study on perioperative experiences and coping of patients after lumbar fusion surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Recovery following lumbar fusion surgery is frequently accompanied by post-operative pain, and patients often continue to experience some level of chronic pain. There is a scarcity of qualitative research focusing on patient experiences regarding lumbar fusion surgery. This study aims to clarify how lumbar fusion surgery patients experience the perioperative period; their hopes, their post-operative pain experiences, their fluctuating physical condition and accompanying emotions. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 lumbar fusion surgery patients. Transcripts of these interviews were open and axial coded by two coders using Atlas.ti software and Thematic Analysis. RESULTS: A total of thirteen categories and four overarching themes were generated from the data. Participants described their beliefs and experiences surrounding surgery, including a long preoperative illness process, tumultuous recovery and unfulfilled preoperative expectations. Participants used various forms of pain coping including activity avoidance and endurance, and emotion regulation strategies such as acceptance. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that, for lumbar fusion patients, surgery seems to be a last resort. Professionals should fulfill the patients need for information and focus on managing realistic expectations while respecting the distress and strain the illness process has on a patient, thereby potentially increasing patient satisfaction and enhancing postoperative recovery.

Evaluating and managing low back pain in primary care.

Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most frequent patient complaints in primary care. Common LBP diagnoses include nonspecific LBP, radicular pain, lumbar-disk herniation, spinal infection, and ankylosing spondylitis. A thorough history and physical exam are imperative. LBP treatment is multifactorial and blends pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic approaches.

The Effects of Pain Severity, Pain Catastrophizing, Depression, and Exercise on Perceived Disability in Acute Low Back Pain Patients.

Background/Purpose: The effectiveness of cognitive treatments for low back pain, a prevalent and costly condition, are commonly based on the principles of the Cognitive Behavioral Model of Fear of Movement/(Re)injury. In this model, persons with a painful injury/experience who also engage in pain catastrophizing are most likely to avoid activity leading to disability. The validation of this model in patients with acute low back is limited. The purpose of this project was to examine the relationship of perceived disability with variables identified in the Cognitive Behavioral Model of Fear of Movement/(Re)injury such as, pain severity, pain catastrophizing, depression, and exercise in persons with acute low back pain. Methods: A multiple linear regression model was used to assess the association of perceived disability with pain severity, pain catastrophizing, depression, and exercise at baseline among subjects with acute low back pain (N = 44) participating in a randomized clinical trial to prevent transition to chronic low back pain. Results: Controlling for age, the overall model was significant for perceived disability (F[5, 35] = 14.2; p < .001). Higher scores of pain catastrophizing (p = .003) and pain severity (p < .001) were associated with higher perceived disability levels. Exercise and depression were not significantly associated with perceived disability. Implications: The use of the Cognitive Behavioral Model of Fear of Movement/(Re)injury in acute LBP patients is appropriate; because this model is commonly used as rationale for the effectiveness of cognitive treatments, these findings have clinical relevance in the treatment of this condition.

Low Back Pain in Student Nurses: Literature Review and Prospective Cohort Study.

There is consensus that registered nurses worldwide have a high prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders, particularly of the back. Patient handling activities such as lifting present the highest risk of injury, activities that begin in nursing school. A literature review identified 21 studies of back pain in nursing students, indicating a wide range of prevalence rates. A prospective cohort study of nursing students in a United States baccalaureate program followed 119 students who completed the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire upon beginning the 16 month upper division major and then a year later. There was no statistically significant change in low back pain prevalence over time. While nursing students have intermittent and brief exposure to patient handling activities, nursing schools must nevertheless protect them before they enter the high risk profession of nursing by teaching evidence-based safe patient handling techniques, empowering students to refuse unsafe manual lifts, and ensuring that the clinical settings with which they affiliate have adequate mechanical equipment available.

Women's experience of low back and/or pelvic pain (LBPP) during pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: to explore the experiences of women suffering low back and/or pelvic pain during pregnancy. DESIGN: a qualitative design using focus groups. Each group was recorded with a digital audio recorder and analysed using the Newell and Burnard framework for thematic analysis. SETTING: an urban maternity hospital. PARTICIPANTS: a self-selecting sample of 14 women who had taken part in a pilot randomised controlled trial investigating reflexology for pregnancyrelated low back and / or pelvic pain. MEASUREMENTS AND FINDINGS: the group discussions were guided by a pre-determined schedule of questions designed to investigate women's experiences of pregnancyrelated low back and / or pelvic pain. Three main themes emerged: KEY CONCLUSIONS: low back and/ or pelvic pain affected women physically and emotionally during pregnancy. Their attitudes towards, and knowledge about the conditions differed. Women used a range of self-help strategies for their symptoms and there was a general sense of dissatisfaction with routine advice and treatment, a finding supported by a growing body of research. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: given that pregnancy-related low back and/ pelvic pain occur across the world, and affects the majority of pregnant women, heath care providers need to ensure that standard care provided is meeting women's needs. Health care professionals may require specific training in order to effectively provide individualised and evidence-based advice and support to pregnant women experiencing this pain.

Treating co-occurring chronic low back pain & generalized anxiety disorder.

The complex, bidirectional correlation between chronic low back pain (CLBP) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), common ailments in primary care, can increase the risk of inadequate treatment. This article will review the relationship between CLBP and GAD and provide optimal management strategies for NPs caring for individuals with this dyad.

CE: Incorporating Acupressure into Nursing Practice.

Rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, the use of acupressure to alleviate symptoms, support the healing process, promote relaxation, and improve overall health has grown considerably in the West. The effects of acupressure--like those of acupuncture, with which it shares a theoretical framework--cannot always be explained in terms of Western anatomical and physiologic concepts, but this noninvasive practice involves minimal risk, can be easily integrated into nursing practice, and has been shown to be effective in treating nausea as well as low back, neck, labor, and menstrual pain. The author discusses potential clinical indications for the use of acupressure, describes the technique, explains how to evaluate patient outcomes, and suggests how future research into this integrative intervention might be improved.

Promoting Best Practices for Managing Acute Low Back Pain in an Occupational Environment.

Providers treating low back pain must be confident and knowledgeable in evidence-based practice (EBP) to provide the best outcomes. An online education course was created in an effort to increase knowledge and confidence in EBP and clinical practice guidelines specific to low back pain in an occupational setting. There were 80 participants who completed the pre-test and post-test. The results showed a statistically significant improvement in knowledge and confidence scores after completion of the course. An online education course was shown to be a cost-effective, accessible tool to increase knowledge and confidence of EBP for different health care providers.

A multifaceted workplace intervention for low back pain in nurses' aides: a pragmatic stepped wedge cluster randomised controlled trial.

This study established the effectiveness of a workplace multifaceted intervention consisting of participatory ergonomics, physical training, and cognitive-behavioural training (CBT) for low back pain (LBP). Between November 2012 and May 2014, we conducted a pragmatic stepped wedge cluster randomised controlled trial with 594 workers from eldercare workplaces (nursing homes and home care) randomised to 4 successive time periods, 3 months apart. The intervention lasted 12 weeks and consisted of 19 sessions in total (physical training [12 sessions], CBT [2 sessions], and participatory ergonomics [5 sessions]). Low back pain was the outcome and was measured as days, intensity (worst pain on a 0-10 numeric rank scale), and bothersomeness (days) by monthly text messages. Linear mixed models were used to estimate the intervention effect. Analyses were performed according to intention to treat, including all eligible randomised participants, and were adjusted for baseline values of the outcome. The linear mixed models yielded significant effects on LBP days of -0.8 (95% confidence interval [CI], -1.19 to -0.38), LBP intensity of -0.4 (95% CI, -0.60 to -0.26), and bothersomeness days of -0.5 (95% CI, -0.85 to -0.13) after the intervention compared with the control group. This study shows that a multifaceted intervention consisting of participatory ergonomics, physical training, and CBT can reduce LBP among workers in eldercare. Thus, multifaceted interventions may be relevant for improving LBP in a working population.

Opioid therapy for chronic low back pain: prescribing considerations for advanced practice registered nurses.

Chronic low back pain is a common, disabling, and costly condition, and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) must carefully evaluate patients before considering long-term opioid therapy as a management strategy. APRNs should refer patients suspected of having a serious condition, or identifiable etiology, for specialist evaluation, as many patients improve with physical therapy, interventional pain management procedures, or surgical intervention. For patients unresponsive to nonopioid treatment, APRNs with an understanding of opioids, and the experience to assess and manage the risks of opioid misuse, abuse, and diversion, may consider long-term opioid therapy as part of a multimodal management plan. Such prescribing necessitates careful patient selection; informed consent; prudent opioid dosing and titration; and monitoring for response to treatment, adverse effects, and aberrant drug-taking behavior. Treatment and regulatory guidelines can assist APRNs in providing safe and effective care to patients with chronic low back pain.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders in nursing: current knowledge and ongoing challenges for occupational health.

Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD) represent a major occupational health concern when considering the relationships between work and disease but associations between MSD and hospital work, especially in the nursing profession, aren't yet full understanded.QMSDuestions that still need to be answered include: Are nurses' work-related musculoskeletal symptoms and injuries dependent on the wards, the hospital organization and even the national occupational health policies that they originated from? Is their MSD related with workplaces demands, equipment, and nurse-patient ratios? Do these factors highlight different nursing occupational exposure to MSD hazards? What are the individual and psychosocial contributes to nurses WRMSDs in different nursing contexts? As such, a new approach which integrates more realistic working conditions, real hospital equipment, workplace features, and individual information would likely be a better way forwards in the addressing the current MSD epidemic among hospital nurses, worldwide......

Nonmedical methods to relieve low back pain caused by lumbar disc herniation: a descriptive study in northeastern Turkey.

Low back pain due to the effects of lumbar disc herniation is a common complaint of patients who often subsequently seek help from medical professionals. It is also a significant health problem which is quite difficult to treat. This descriptive study was conducted to determine nonmedical methods used by patients with lumbar disc herniation to relieve low back pain; the patients' intensity of low back pain when they were admitted to the hospital was also explored. Ninety-two patients with lumbar disc herniation participated in this study, which was carried out at a university hospital in northeastern Turkey. Data were collected using a patient information form and the visual analog scale (VAS). When the patients were admitted to hospital, their mean VAS score was 6.56 ± 2.45. The study results showed that as a first choice nearly all of the patients (94.6%) with lumbar disc herniation preferred consulting with their physicians before to obtain relief for low back pain. However, in addition to seeing their physician, more than one-half of these patients (57.6%) also used nonmedical methods. The primary nonmedical methods were hot/cold compresses, wrapping various substances on the back, and herbal preparations. An increase in pain was noted by 17.0% of patients after using nonmedical methods. Findings indicated that more than two-thirds of patients experienced either no change or an increase in pain after using nonmedical methods to find relief.