Biomedical subjects

Robert J Gatchel

Publications and source records attributed to Robert J Gatchel.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

MMPI disability profile: the least known, most useful screen for psychopathology in chronic occupational spinal disorders.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study on predicting psychopathology in chronic occupational spinal disorders (COSDs). OBJECTIVE: To assess prevalence of specific profiles on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) and their ability to predict psychopathology in a COSD cohort. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: In the relatively small number of COSDs that develop chronic pain and disability, the MMPI-2 has been an important part of the psychosocial assessment. Certain profiles have been thought to have a high prevalence in COSD. They have also been widely popularized as predicting certain treatment outcomes, and have often been used to "screen" surgical and rehabilitation candidates. METHOD: Of an initial cohort of 1,489 consecutive COSD patients completing a valid prerehabilitation MMPI-2, 1,185 patients (79.6%) were classifiable into one of four MMPI profile groups. A new Disability Profile (DP) group was identified, which was the most common profile. Patients attended a 5- to 7-week interdisciplinary rehabilitation program. They completed a psychosocial assessment battery, and a Structured Clinical Interview for DSM IV diagnosis (SCID-I and II) was administered as the "gold standard" for defining psychopathology. One year postrehabilitation, a structured clinical interview assessed socioeconomic outcomes. RESULTS: A previously unrecognized MMPI profile, now termed the DP, was found to have a prevalence of 53.2% of the whole group, and 66.9% of those with "classifiable" MMPI profiles in this large population of COSD patients. Only 6.9% of subjects had normal profiles (NP), while only 19.5% had profiles previously thought to occur commonly in this population. NP patients were twice as likely to retain work 1 year after treatment than the 3 abnormal MMPI groups combined. The DP group was 14 times more;1 likely to have an Axis I diagnosis (such as depression or anxiety) than the NP group, and was also almost 5 times more likely have an Axis II personality disorder diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of commonly cited MMPI profiles, often used for presurgical or chronic pain screening in this population, is relatively small. The prevalence of four or more elevations (DP), however, is large, representing two thirds of patients demonstrating any classifiable MMPI pattern. The DP group showed extremely high levels of associated psychopathology, which raises "red flags" to the surgeon likely to operate on such patients, or the interdisciplinary pain team. Screening COSD patients with the MMPI-2 may be effective in identifying psychopathology, but only if the physician is aware that the DP is commonplace and significant.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Is obesity overrated as a "risk factor" for poor outcomes in chronic occupational spinal disorders?

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether obesity is a risk factor for poor socioeconomic outcomes in patients with chronic occupational spinal disorders beginning an interdisciplinary functional restoration program. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Obesity is known as a risk factor for a multitude of physical and mental health disorders. A classification system can define obesity based on body mass index (BMI). Limited evidence is available on the effect of obesity on rehabilitation from chronic occupational spinal disorders. METHODS: A large cohort of chronic occupational spinal disorder patients with extended disability (average 16 months) following work-related injuries (n = 2483) were divided into 5 groups based on BMI. Socioeconomic outcomes were identified through a 1-year post-rehabilitation structured telephone interview. Patients were also assessed before and after intervention with validated questionnaires measuring pain intensity, functional deficits, and depression. The interdisciplinary functional restoration program was individualized for length of disability and severity of physical and psychological deficits. RESULTS: The prevalence of obesity in this population was high. Only 22% of patients were "normal" (BMI <25), while 43% were obese (BMI >30). There was a significant linear trend for males to be progressively less represented as obesity increased. There was also a significant trend for hypertension to be associated with greater levels of obesity. However, there were no significant differences in site of injury, disability duration, or attorney representation among the groups. Most importantly, there were no statistically significant differences in all but 1 of the socioeconomic outcomes among any of the obese groups and the normal weight patients. There was a trend toward higher pretreatment and posttreatment functional assessment scores (i.e., greater perception of disability), and a linear trend for higher pretreatment depression ratings across BMI groups, although they all improved at comparable rates after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity is more prevalent and severe in chronic occupational spinal disorders when entering a functional restoration program as the final step in a prolonged treatment regimen. We conclude that obesity, even gross obesity, has no significant impact on outcomes of an interdisciplinary functional restoration program for patients disabled an average of 16 months.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Prevalence of psychiatric disorders in patients with chronic disabling occupational spinal disorders.

STUDY DESIGN: A prevalence study. OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of psychiatric disorders among a large group of patients with chronic disabling occupational spinal disorders (CDOSDs), using a reliable and valid diagnostic instrument. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Although unrecognized and untreated psychiatric disorders have been found to interfere with successful treatment of CDOSD patients, little data are currently available regarding the psychiatric characteristics of patients claiming work-related injuries that result in CDOSDs. METHODS: Psychiatric disorders in a consecutive group of CDOSD patients (n = 1,323) attending a tertiary referral center for patients with CDOSD were diagnosed using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. RESULTS.: Overall prevalence of psychiatric disorders was found to be significantly elevated in CDOSD patients compared with base rates in the general population. A majority (65%) of patients were diagnosed with at least one current disorder (not including Pain Disorder, which is nearly universal in this population), compared with only 15% of the general population. Major Depressive Disorder (56%), Substance Use Disorders (14%), Anxiety Disorders (11%), and Axis II Personality Disorders (70%) were the most common diagnoses. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians treating CDOSD patients must be aware of the high prevalence of psychiatric disorders in this population. They must also be prepared to use mental health professionals to assist them in identifying and stabilizing these patients. Failure to follow a biopsychosocial approach to treatment will likely contribute to prolonged disability in a substantial number of these chronic pain patients.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

The pain disability questionnaire: relationship to one-year functional and psychosocial rehabilitation outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: The Pain Disability Questionnaire (PDQ) is a new functional assessment instrument designed for evaluating chronic disabling musculoskeletal disorders. It is useful for assessing function/disability as affected by pain. This is the first study to assess the predictive validity of the PDQ in its relationship to 1-year post-treatment work- and health-related outcomes in a chronic disabling occupational musculoskeletal disorder (CDOMD) population. DESIGN: A prospective cohort of CDOMD patients (n=150) completed a prescribed functional restoration rehabilitation program, with PDQ and other psychosocial measures evaluated before and immediately after treatment. A structured telephonic interview for objective work- and health-related outcomes took place 1-year following treatment. RESULTS: Lower rates of work retention were associated with more severe pre-treatment PDQ scores. Higher post-treatment PDQ were associated with decreased return-to-work rates, decreased work retention and a greater percentage seeking health care from a new provider. In addition, PDQ scores were also associated with psychosocial measures such as depression and perceived pain intensity, as well as alternative measures of disability. CONCLUSIONS: Results demonstrated the ability of this simple and psychometrically-sound disability rating scale for systematic functional assessment in predicting treatment outcomes in patients with CDOMD. Results support the further use of the PDQ as a standard treatment outcomes measure in this area of musculoskeletal disorders.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Biopsychosocial profiles of different pain diagnostic groups.

UNLABELLED: Different pain diagnoses have been examined separately in various research studies. The major aim of the present investigation was to add to the current understanding of the various groups of patients who make up the chronic pain population. This study expanded the research literature by including 7 different predominantly chronic pain syndromes (fibromyalgia, upper extremity pain, cervical pain, thoracic pain, lumbar pain, lower extremity pain, and headache). These 7 groups were examined by using a broad array of variables focusing on demographic, self-reported psychosocial, and physical/functional factors. There were 661 patients included from an interdisciplinary treatment program who had been given 1 physical pain diagnosis. Results revealed differences among the 7 groups with regard to self-reported physical/functional limitations. The headache group had less physical/functional impairment than most of the other groups. On the other hand, the lumbar, fibromyalgia, and lower extremity groups had the most physical/functional problems. On self-reported psychosocial measures, the fibromyalgia group had the most difficulties, and the lower extremity and lumbar groups had fewer problems in this area. Overall, though, besides the fibromyalgia group, there was a lack of differences among the other groups on the psychosocial measures. PERSPECTIVE: Biopsychosocial profiles were examined for different pain diagnostic groups. Seven different pain groups were compared. It was discovered that, in general, the lumbar, fibromyalgia, and lower extremity groups reported more physical/functional limitations, and the fibromyalgia and headache groups reported more psychosocial difficulties.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Evidence-based scientific data documenting the treatment and cost-effectiveness of comprehensive pain programs for chronic nonmalignant pain.

UNLABELLED: Chronic pain is one of the most prevalent and costly problems in the United States today. Traditional medical treatments for it, though, have not been consistently efficacious or cost-effective. In contrast, more recent comprehensive pain programs (CPPs) have been shown to be both therapeutically efficacious and cost-effective. The present study reviews available evidence demonstrating the therapeutic efficacy and cost-effectiveness of CPPs, relative to conventional medical treatment. Searches of the chronic pain treatment literature during the past decade were conducted for this purpose, using MEDLINE and PSYCHLIT. Studies reporting treatment outcome results for patients with chronic pain were selected, and data on the major outcome variables of self-reported pain, function, healthcare utilization and cost, medication use, work factors, and insurance claims were evaluated. When available, conventional medical treatments were used as the benchmark against which CPPs were evaluated. This review clearly demonstrates that CPPs offer the most efficacious and cost-effective, evidence-based treatment for persons with chronic pain. Unfortunately, such programs are not being taken advantage of because of short-sighted cost-containment policies of third-party payers. PERSPECTIVE: A comprehensive review was conducted of all studies in the scientific literature reporting treatment outcomes for patients with chronic pain. This review clearly revealed that CPPs offer the most efficacious and cost-effective treatment for persons with chronic pain, relative to a host of widely used conventional medical treatment.

Chronic Disease↗

PubMed2006

A cost-utility analysis of chronic spinal pain treatment outcomes: converting SF-36 data into quality-adjusted life years.

OBJECTIVES: The present retrospective case review study sought to analyze the cost-utility, expressed in cost/quality-adjusted life years (QALY), of current chronic spinal pain treatments. In addition, it expands upon previously published data evaluating the efficacy of interdisciplinary pain management in relation to medication management. METHODS: A recently developed algorithm was used to calculate QALYs using SF-36, v. 1 responses for 121 patients receiving treatment for chronic spinal pain at a pain rehabilitation center. Treatment groups evaluated were: (1) interdisciplinary program completers who received medication management and supplementary anesthetic procedures; (2) interdisciplinary program completers receiving medication management but not anesthetic procedures; (3) patients receiving medication management alone; and (4) patients receiving medication management with supplemental anesthetic procedures. Assessments were conducted at pretreatment and 6 months after the initiation of treatment. RESULTS: One-way analyses of covariance indicated that patients who participated in an interdisciplinary pain management program, which included medication management, psychotherapy, group education, and physical therapy, reported significantly less impairment in daily activities of living, less subjective experience of pain, and a higher quality of life and more preferred health state at the completion of their treatment phase, relative to patients receiving medication with or without anesthetic procedures. In addition, improvements in all outcome measures between pretreatment and posttreatment were significantly greater for those patients completing the interdisciplinary component of treatment. Cost-utility analyses revealed that the interdisciplinary treatment alone group was cost-saving, relative to the medication and procedures alternative, suggesting the former modality was both less costly and more effective than the latter. DISCUSSION: Average cost-utility ratios for both interdisciplinary treatment groups, ranging from 57,627 dollars /QALY to 75,885 dollars /QALY, were within established cost-effective parameters (20,000 dollars to 100,000 dollars /QALY, generally considered a good value), whereas cost-utility ratios for the standard care treatment groups were not interpretable because of a decrease in QALYs from pretreatment to posttreatment.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Efficacy of an early intervention for patients with acute temporomandibular disorder-related pain: a one-year outcome study.

BACKGROUND: The authors conducted a randomized clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of a biopsychosocial intervention for patients who were at high risk (HR) of progressing from acute to chronic temporomandibular disorder (TMD)-related pain. METHODS: The authors classified subjects' risk using a predictive algorithm and randomized them into an early-intervention (EI) or a nonintervention (NI) group. The EI included cognitive behavioral skills training and biofeedback. The authors assessed pain and psychosocial measures at intake and at a one-year follow-up. Subjects' self-reported pain levels were measured on an analog scale and as a response to palpation. RESULTS: At one year, EI-group subjects had significantly lower levels of self-reported pain and depression. At one year, more NI-group subjects than EI-group subjects had utilized health care for jaw-related pain. NI-group subjects were 12.5 times as likely to have a somatoform disorder, more than seven times as likely to have an anxiety disorder, and 2.7 times more likely to have an affective disorder at one year, compared with EI-group subjects. CONCLUSIONS: EI-group subjects had reduced pain levels, improved coping abilities and reduced emotional distress at one year. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The TMD-related pain experience is complex and requires early identification with a biopsychosocial EI to achieve maximal, sustainable results.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

High pain ratings predict treatment failure in chronic occupational musculoskeletal disorders.

BACKGROUND: Pain intensity is one of the most widely used measures in the treatment of patients with chronic disabling occupational musculoskeletal disorders. Few studies have comprehensively investigated the relationship of pain intensity at the time of rehabilitation to objective socioeconomic outcomes at one year after treatment. This study evaluated the ability of pain intensity ratings, measured with a visual analog scale, to predict rehabilitation outcomes and to identify patients who are "at risk" for a poor outcome. METHODS: A cohort of 3106 patients with chronic disabling occupational musculoskeletal disorders in a multidisciplinary occupational tertiary rehabilitation program was divided into four groups on the basis of the pain intensity ratings (0 to 3, 4 to 5, 6 to 7, and 8 to 10) before and after rehabilitation. A structured interview to assess the socioeconomic outcomes, including work status, health-care utilization, recurrent injury, and whether there had been resolution of Workers' Compensation or third-party financial disputes, was conducted one year after rehabilitation. RESULTS: High pain intensity before rehabilitation was linearly associated with declining rates of program completion and higher rates of self-reported depression and disability after rehabilitation. Although higher pain ratings both before and after rehabilitation were associated linearly with a declining quality of socioeconomic outcomes, extremely high pain ratings (8 to 10) after rehabilitation were most predictive of poor outcomes. At the post-rehabilitation evaluation, patients with extreme pain were far more likely than those with mild pain to seek surgical treatment (risk ratio = 11.2 [95% confidence interval, 4.3, 29.5]) or to persist in seeking health care from new providers (risk ratio = 3.3 [95% confidence interval, 2.4, 4.5]). They were less likely to either return to work (risk ratio = 3.9 [95% confidence interval, 2.6, 6.0]) or to retain work (risk ratio = 4.2 [95% confidence interval, 2.9, 6.0]). They were also twice as likely to claim a new injury to the same musculoskeletal site after returning to work and to fail to settle Workers' Compensation or third-party financial disputes. CONCLUSIONS: High pain ratings before rehabilitation are associated with higher rehabilitation dropout rates. The patients with chronic disabling occupational musculoskeletal disorders who reported extreme pain after completing a full course of extended treatment (13% of 2573) were at risk for poor outcomes in terms of lost productivity, high utilization of health care, and cost-shifting of state Workers' Compensation payments to federal resources.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Reliability of a visual analog version of the QuickDASH.

BACKGROUND: The QuickDASH, an abbreviated form of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire, uses a graded-adjectives ordinal measurement response scale. In order to improve the sensitivity of the measure and to make it compatible with widely used measures of pain and disability, a visual analog scale version was developed. The present study investigated the reliability of the new version over time when used for the evaluation of patients undergoing treatment. METHODS: A test-retest model with a two-day interval was used to evaluate a sample of thirty-eight consecutive patients in an interdisciplinary tertiary rehabilitation setting who were identified as having an upper extremity disorder. RESULTS: The intraclass correlation coefficient indicating test-retest reliability was 0.90 for the eleven-item QuickDASH visual analog scale questionnaire (without the work component) and 0.94 for the fifteen-item questionnaire (with the work component), neither of which was significantly different from the results reported for the original questionnaire. CONCLUSIONS: The QuickDASH visual analog scale questionnaire has acceptable reliability over time, and it can be used as an alternative to the original QuickDASH.

Arm↗

PubMed2006

The relationships among depression, pain, and masticatory functioning in temporomandibular disorder patients.

AIMS: To evaluate the effect of comorbid depression and pain on an early biopsychosocial intervention for acute temporomandibular disorder (TMD) patients. METHODS: Depressed (either current or lifetime; n=32) or nondepressed (n=31) acute TMD patients received a biopsychosocial intervention, and were evaluated at preintervention and again 12 months postintervention by Characteristic Pain Intensity, the Beck Depression Inventory, and a masticatory function test. RESULTS: Findings revealed that both depressed and nondepressed patients reported comparable pain decreases at 12 months postintervention. Moreover, there were no significant differences between patient groups in masticatory function. CONCLUSION: With appropriate early biopsychosocial intervention, acute TMD patients, regardless of the presence or absence of vulnerability to depression symptomatology, can be effectively treated.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

The impact on health-related quality of life from non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, methotrexate, or steroids in treatment for juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess and compare the impact of medication treatments on health-related quality of life (HRQOL), family function, and medical status in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). METHODS: Fifty-seven children diagnosed with JIA were assessed by a pediatric rheumatologist and placed into one of three treatment groups: (1) non-steroidal anti-inflammatory; (2) methotrexate; or (3) steroids via IV methylprednisolone. Questionnaires were administered at baseline and 4-month follow-up. The attending pediatric rheumatologist provided additional medical information. RESULTS: Data document the impact of JIA on HRQOL, particularly on physical and pain domains. Steroid patients experienced improved HRQOL at follow-up relative to other groups, despite reporting more problems with side effects. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate positive benefits of steroids in treating JIA children, despite the greatest incidence of adverse side effects.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Are gender, marital status or parenthood risk factors for outcome of treatment for chronic disabling spinal disorders?

Recent clinical research has suggested that single working mothers may differ in their response to health treatment and outcomes, relative to their married female or male counterparts. The present study explored, on an a priori basis, the existence and extent of differences in chronic pain rehabilitation outcomes of pain report, return-to-work and future health utilization for single working mothers, relative to other patients. A cohort of 1,679 consecutive chronically disabled work related spinal disorder (CDWRSD) patients were placed into one of eight groups as a function of gender, marital status (single/married), and parenthood (with/without children). All patients completed an assessment battery measuring psychosocial variables at pre- and post-treatment, and a structured clinical interview evaluating socioeconomic outcomes at 1 year following completion of a 5-7 week functional restoration program. Results revealed that single females with children differed from all other groups in racial representation, with 57.1% of these individuals being African American, widely disparate from the prevailing local ethnicity. Single females and males with children were represented by a higher incidence of cervical injuries (25.0% and 26.7%, respectively) than all other groups (5.4-16.6%, p < .001). Contrary to expectation, the 8 groups did not differ significantly in program completion rate, work return, work retention, health utilization, recurrent injury or case settlement rates at one-year follow-up. The single females with children group did display greater levels of depression pre-treatment compared to the other groups. However, at post-treatment, these differences no longer existed. This investigation is one of the first to examine if the combination of gender and parenthood distinguishes significantly among CDWRSD patients. Overall, contrary to expectation, the single mothers did not show any significant differences in CDWRSD outcome at one-year post-rehab follow-up, and the single mothers and fathers showed no differences in depression or pain severity post-treatment. Thus, in spite of the societal belief to the contrary, it seems that single parent patients can show similar chronic pain rehabilitation outcomes, relative to other CDWRSD patients, after a prescribed course of tertiary functional restoration rehabilitation.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Failure to complete a functional restoration program for chronic musculoskeletal disorders: a prospective 1-year outcome study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare comprehensively the likelihood of various socioeconomically relevant outcomes between functional restoration completers and noncompleters, while simultaneously identifying risk factors for noncompletion. DESIGN: A prospective cohort study of patients with chronic disabling occupational musculoskeletal disorders (CDOMD). SETTING: Chronic pain management facility. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1440 patients with CDOMD were consecutively divided into 2 groups-one with 303 patients who did not complete the prescribed treatment program (noncompleters [NC]) and a second with 1137 patients who did (completers). INTERVENTION: The Interdisciplinary Functional Restoration: Rehabilitation program. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Validated questionnaires about pain, disability, and depression were added to results of a structured 1-year posttreatment telephone interview on socioeconomic outcomes covering work status, health utilization, recurrent injury claims, and resolution of financial disputes. RESULTS: The 1-year posttreatment socioeconomic outcomes were most striking. The NC group was 7 times more likely to have postrehabilitation surgery in the same area, and nearly 7 times more likely to have more than 30 visits to a new health provider in persistent health care-seeking efforts. The NC group also had only half the rates of work return and work retention, being 9.7 times less likely to have returned to any type of work, and 7 times less likely to have retained work at the end of the year. Regression analysis also revealed that work return, surgery in a compensable injured area, more health care utilization from a new provider, and more overall health care utilization (>30 visits) were most reliably predicted by whether the rehabilitation program was completed. CONCLUSIONS: This large prospective study determined that noncompleters of interdisciplinary tertiary rehabilitation for CDOMDs had comparatively poor socioeconomic outcomes in the year after discharge from treatment, especially on work status and health utilization outcomes. These outcomes are of great relevance to societal, medical, and indemnity costs and future worker productivity. Several risk factors of possible importance in identifying potential noncompleters early in the treatment program were identified that may yield more effective interventions tailored to maintain compliance and decrease the percentage of drop-outs.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Interdisciplinary treatment of failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS): a comparison of FBSS and non-FBSS patients.

Many patients enrolled in chronic pain centers suffer from failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS). However, there has been a paucity of research concerning how these patients differ from other chronic pain patients, and how to most effectively address their complex problems within an interdisciplinary chronic pain treatment environment. The current study represents the first large-scale examination of these issues, with two major aims: (1) to elucidate the differences between FBSS patients and other chronic lumbar pain patients; and (2) to clarify the role of injections in interdisciplinary treatment, particularly with FBSS patients. A total of 128 chronic lumbar pain patients who presented for treatment at an interdisciplinary center were included in the study. Patients completed various measures at pre-, mid-, and post-treatment intervals, including physical, functional, and psychosocial measures. Overall, both FBSS and Non-FBSS patients reported significantly decreased pain and disability, and significant improvements in physical and psychosocial functioning after interdisciplinary treatment. However, Non-FBSS patients were associated with greater reductions in self-reported pain and disability than FBSS patients. On the other hand, FBSS patients were significantly more improved on physical therapy measures, including Activities of Daily Living, Strength, and Fear of Exercise. Statistical comparisons of Injection (INJ) and No-Injection (No-INJ) groups yielded few significant findings.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2004

A randomized clinical trial of treatment for lumbar segmental rigidity.

STUDY DESIGN: A randomized single-blind clinical trial of facet injections plus exercise, versus exercise alone, in chronic disabling work-related lumbar spinal disorders (CDWRLSD), accompanied by pilot interrater reliability and facet syndrome prevalence studies. OBJECTIVES: To systematically investigate the use of facet injections as an adjunct to supervised lumbar stretching exercises in regaining lumbar range of motion (ROM) following prolonged deconditioning after work-related lumbar injuries. To assess interrater reliability of visual assessment of segmental rigidity (SR), and to evaluate the prevalence of facet syndrome in cases of lumbar SR. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Corticosteroid joint injections have often been used to reduce musculoskeletal inflammation to facilitate joint mobilization in the presence of degenerative arthritis. Lumbar segmental rigidity is a recently described entity usually associated with painful chronic spinal disorders and postoperative spine surgery. Previous work has shown that SR and lumbar ROM improves with a brief intervention consisting of facet injections followed by specific stretching exercises. No systematic study has investigated the potential benefits of a combination of facet injections and exercise over supervised exercises alone to treat lumbar SR. Similarly, no study has assessed the association between SR and the facet syndrome. METHODS: From a group of consecutive patients (n = 421) with CDWRLSD referred for tertiary rehabilitation between November 1999 and January 2001, 70 were noted to have SR on intake physical examination. The first part of this study assessed interrater reliability for detecting SR, and intrarater reliability for 3-segment true lumbar ROM measurements. Patients randomly assigned to participate in supervised stretching exercises with the addition of fluoroscopically guided bilateral facet injections at the involved levels (Group A, n = 36) also underwent facet syndrome prevalence assessment at the time of injection. They were compared to a randomly allocated comparison group (Group B, n = 34) undergoing exercises alone in a single-blind design. Physical therapists saw patients an average of twice per week, providing supervision of a progressive home stretching program. Inclinometric joint ROM was measured at the time of group allocation, and again 5 to 7 weeks later. Validated questionnaires of pain (intensity VAS) and disability (Million VAS) related to the CDWRLSD were provided before and after the interventions. RESULTS: Part 1 reliability and facet syndrome prevalence work revealed that interrater reliability for experienced examiners to detect rigid segments was excellent (Pearson's r = 0.97, P < 0.01). Intrarater 3-joint motion measurement reliability was also good for all sagittal/coronal ROM (Pearson's r = 0.95-0.99, P < 0.01). Only 5 of 29 subjects with SR met criteria for facet syndrome (17%), consistent with prior prevalence studies of unselected patients with low back pain. In Part 2, a large majority of patients in both groups improved from the initial to the post-treatment ROM measurements (the primary outcome criterion of the study). However, a higher proportion of Group A (injection) patients (87%-95%) showed ROM improvement, compared to Group B (exercise only) patients (64%-79%). Group A patients showed a significantly greater ROM improvement in all sagittal and coronal movements, both in absolute terms and percent of initial measurement. No significant differences in pain or disability self-report were found between groups, pre- or postintervention, but both groups showed significant improvement from pre- to postintervention in pain and disability assessments. CONCLUSIONS: The detection of SR and measurement of 3-segment true lumbar ROM by experienced examiners is highly reliable. Only 17% of CDWRLSD patients with lumbar SR met criteria for the facet syndrome, a rate approximately equal to that of unselected low back pain cohorts. This indicates that lumbar SR may be found whether or not pain of facet joint origin is present. In the randomized trial, facet injections significantly increased the percentage of patients with SR showing ROM improvement, as well as the degree of improvement in lumbar mobility after treatment. There is no evidence that facet injections increase the improvements in pain/disability report noted in both groups.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

PubMed2004

The pain disability questionnaire: a new psychometrically sound measure for chronic musculoskeletal disorders.

STUDY DESIGN: The Pain Disability Questionnaire (PDQ) is a psychometric evaluation study of a new measure of functional status. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the PDQ and compare its validity and responsiveness to traditional measures of functional status, such as the Oswestry, Million (MVAS), and SF-36 instruments. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Measuring clinical outcomes is an essential element of any musculoskeletal treatment. The PDQ was developed for this purpose. It yields a total functional disability score ranging from 0 to 150. The focus, much like other health inventories, is primarily on disability and function. However, unlike most other measures, this instrument is designed for the full array of chronic disabling musculoskeletal disorders (CDMDs), rather than low back pain alone. Further, psychosocial variables, which recent studies have shown to play an integral role in the development and maintenance of chronic pain disability, formed an important core of the PDQ. METHODS: Four groups were used in this psychometric evaluation: an asymptomatic normative population (NP; n = 50), an acute musculoskeletal disorder population (AMD; n = 52), a chronic disabled musculoskeletal disorder population (CDMD; n = 230), and a heterogeneous pain population (HP; n = 114). The NP and AMD groups served as comparison samples for the CDMD and HP groups. Analyses of PDQ reliability, validity, and responsiveness were conducted. RESULTS: Test-retest reliability coefficients (ranging from 0.94 to 0.98) and a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.96 for the PDQ were found to be of excellent quality. The responsiveness of the PDQ, as measured by Cohen's effect size statistic, ranged from 0.85 to 1.07, better than the Oswestry, MVAS, and SF-36. A high level of face validity was observed for the PDQ, as the CDMD population exhibited significantly higher pretreatment PDQ scores than a group of patients suffering from acute injuries. The construct-related validity of the PDQ was also found to be of excellent quality, as it correlated well to both the MVAS (0.65-0.81) and Oswestry (0.55-0.80). The PDQ consistently demonstrated stronger correlation coefficients to a wide variety of physical and psychosocial measures of human function, such as the SF-36, Beck Depression Inventory, Hamilton-D, State-Trait Anxiety Scale, and Pain Intensity VAS, than either the Oswestry or MVAS. A factor analysis of the PDQ revealed two factors: a Functional Status Component (FSC) and a Psychosocial Component (PC). Analyses proved each of these two components to be valid in assessing their theorized constructs. CONCLUSIONS: The present study represents a comprehensive psychometric evaluation of a new functional status measure for musculoskeletal conditions in general, and a CDMD population in particular. The psychometric properties of the PDQ are excellent, demonstrating strong reliability, responsiveness, and validity, relative to many other existing measures of functional status. The many weaknesses cited for some of the existing measures were taken into account in designing this instrument. Consequently, the characteristics commonly noted as weaknesses for these other measures (such as a restriction to only the low back pain population, and inconsistent responsiveness) can be cited as strengths of the PDQ. Its generalizability and utility for assessing orthopedic treatment progress and functional outcomes must now be evaluated in broader settings.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2004

Relevance of aerobic capacity measurements in the treatment of chronic work-related spinal disorders.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study of rehab program completers, comparing aerobic capacity data of chronic lumbar spinal disorder patients (CLSD) to that of chronic cervical spinal disorder (CCSD), collected from a tertiary care facility. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated whether CLSD is associated with different pre- and postrehabilitation aerobic capacity deficits than CCSD, and whether such deficits affect functional restoration outcomes. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Chronic spinal disorder patients are thought to lose aerobic fitness as a component of the deconditioning syndrome. Patients with CLSD often restrict aerobic activities because of back or leg pain, while CCSD patients generally do so to a lesser degree. We hypothesized that those with CLSD would have greater deficits in tests of aerobic fitness than patients with CCSD both before and after treatment. METHODS: From a consecutive cohort of 683 patients with work-related spinal disorders, two groups were identified: patients with CLSD (n = 504; age 40.1 years; 68% male); and patients with CCSD (n = 179; 41.3 years; 43% male). All patients completed an intensive, medically supervised functional restoration program. Before and after the program, patients completed a submaximal bicycle ergometer aerobic capacity test and a psychosocial test battery. A structured clinical interview to determine socioeconomic outcomes was conducted 1 year after the program completion. RESULTS: Of CLSD patients 33% and 11% of CCSD patients (P < 0.001) either failed to produce any torque or could not complete at least 2 stages on the bicycle on preprogram tests (invalid tests). However, all patients had valid bicycle tests at program completion. Nearly two-thirds of the subjects with initially invalid tests in the lumbar group failed to develop any torque, while only one-third of subjects with invalid tests of the cervical group had a similar result. Thus, CLSD is associated with greater prerehabiliation aerobic fitness deficits than CCSD. Overall, there was no significant change in pre to postrehab aerobic capacities for the initially valid test subjects. The initially invalid test subjects achieved similar postrehabilitation scores compared to the valid test subjects, although CLSD patients with initially valid tests performed slightly better at the posttest. Socioeconomic outcomes were the same one year after the program for valid and invalid test subjects. CLSD patients had higher preprogram self reports of disability. The subgroup of the initially invalid test subjects that produced no torque whatsoever (19.3% of CLSD and 3.9% of CCSD) did not differ from the subgroup that failed to complete 2 stages in the pretest of aerobic performance on depression. They had higher pretest self-reported disability. CONCLUSIONS: Although mean aerobic fitness levels for all patients improved during rehabilitation, the improvement is almost entirely accounted for by initially invalid tests becoming valid. Aerobic capacity testing measured with submaximal bicycle ergometry may frequently be invalid when fear-avoidance limits effort, particularly in CLSD. Psychosocial fear-avoidance, as it applies to bicycle ergometry, can be overcome in virtually all patients motivated to complete a tertiary rehabilitation program. As such, prerehabilitation aerobic capacity testing is a poor differentiator of postrehabilitation outcomes.

Adult↗