Occupational therapy and pain management

OBJECTIVE: To examine variables associated with engagement in (1) integrative health and medicine (IHM) and (2) nonpharmacologic modalities rather than opioids among United States adults with chronic pain. METHODS: Using the 2019 National Health Interview Survey, we examined sociodemographic, pain, and mental health predictors of (1) the sum of IHM modalities (ie, chiropractic care, yoga/Tai Chi, massage, or meditation/guided imagery) used to manage pain and (2) exclusive engagement in nonpharmacologic pain management modalities (ie, IHM, a chronic pain self-management program, support groups, or physical, rehabilitative, occupational, or talk therapy) or opioids in the past 3 months...

BACKGROUND: Apart from a consistent focus on treating inflammation, patients with inflammatory arthritis (IA) report a range of unmet needs. Many experience not only residual symptoms but also various other physical, psychological, and social effects. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a complex Interdisciplinary Nurse-coordinated self-management (INSELMA) intervention for patients with IA, as an add-on treatment to usual outpatient care for those with substantial disease impact. METHODS: This study followed the British Medical Research Council's updated framework for developing complex interventions...

BACKGROUND: The use of teleconsultation platforms enabling health professionals to provide advice especially in the new normal post COVID-19 situation has increased in both developing and developed countries. This teleconsultation has also expanded beyond that of post COVID-19 application to other purposes such as in the treatment of musculoskeletal pain. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this commentary is to focus on presenting a feasible guide related to physical as well as psychological aspects in relation to computer based workers that could be taught to the computer-based workers using teleconsultation platforms...

BACKGROUND: Long-term care (LTC) facilities were hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada. Using life course theory concepts, we looked for conditions that led to worker moral distress -i.e. pain or anguish over not being able to take right action - and how life stage may influence experiences. OBJECTIVE: To illuminate the experiences of adults under the age of 30 who stepped into, and/or persevered in, working in LTC during the pandemic, recognizing that this emerging workforce represents the future of LTC in Canada...

OBJECTIVE: To explore the available knowledge on the application of biopsychosocial model (BPS) in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP). METHODS: A scoping review, including 32 papers that used a BPS to manage adult patients with CLBP, published in any language. Six different databases were searched. RESULTS: According to the description of the protocols, most of them use BPS for assessment of the patients. In this first stage the most often evaluated were pain and disability, kinesiophobia and quality of life, and work-related factors...

INTRODUCTION: Successful return to pre-injury occupational performance following distal radius fracture (DRF) may be influenced by person and environment factors such as pain, age, social support, and socioeconomic status. The primary aim of this study was to explore Australian hand therapists' current clinical practice and determine whether they consider these factors during the management of DRF. METHODS: A mixed methods online survey was distributed to members of the Australian Hand Therapy Association...

Objective: The Non-Opioid Pain Alleviation Information Network (NOPAINMN) project was designed to identify, consolidate, and map evidence-based non-opioid and non-pharmacological pain management complementary and integrative health (CIH) modalities for chronic pain management across Minnesota into a searchable and informational website (www.nopainmn.org). Methods: The Academic Consortium for Integrative Medicine & Health's Pain Task Force White Paper identifying evidence-based research of non-pharmacological pain practice (NPPC) was reviewed and referenced...

BACKGROUND: Rotator cuff disorders include a broad spectrum of pathological conditions including partial-thickness and full-thickness tears. Studies have shown partial-thickness rotator cuff tear (PTRCT) prevalence to be twice that of full-thickness tears. In the working population, PTRCTs are one of the most common causes of shoulder pain and often result in occupational disability due to pain, stiffness, and loss of shoulder function. Treatment of PTRCTs remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to consolidate the existing high-quality evidence on best management approaches in treating PTRCTs using both nonoperative and operative approaches...

This study provides an update on multidisciplinary staffing and clinical activity in Australian specialist persistent pain services. Of the 109 services identified, 57 responded, met inclusion criteria and completed a study-specific questionnaire detailing service characteristics, staff resources and clinical activities. Where possible, data were compared between the 'Waiting in Pain' (WIP) investigations (WIP-I: Dec'08-Jan'10, WIP-II: Jul'16-Feb'18). WIP-II found more pain services (Level 1 centres, rural services) and more full-time equivalent (FTE) staffing (overall, psychiatry, psychology, occupational therapy) than WIP-I...

Occupational back pain has emerged as a significant public health concern. Despite several efforts to mitigate the adverse effects of occupational back pain, this issue still persists across the globe. This systematic review summarizes the preventive and therapeutic options available for managing occupational back pain. A systemic search was carried out in various databases including PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL Ultimate, and Scopus to identify relevant literature. The search was also extended to Google Scholar to identify more relevant studies...

BACKGROUND: Living with chronic pain (CP) often implies major lifestyle changes, including modifications of daily routines and work. Surprisingly, few validated and effective interventions specifically target functional outcomes in this population. Redesign your Everyday Activities and Lifestyle with Occupational Therapy [REVEAL(OT)] is a lifestyle-oriented intervention led by occupational therapists that directly targets the daily functional challenges of living with CP. The intervention was initially developed and studied as an add-on to standard treatment delivered by Danish multidisciplinary specialized pain clinics...

OBJECTIVES: This study explored changes in pain-related parameters, occupational function, occupational balance, lifestyle factors, and self-perceived health status in adults with chronic high-impact pain participating in an occupational therapy lifestyle intervention. METHODS: This one-group longitudinal feasibility study was performed in three continuous feasibility rounds. The occupational therapists-led intervention targeted meaningful occupations, regular physical activity, and a healthy diet...

Tennis elbow, a common musculoskeletal disorder also known as lateral epicondylitis, causes pain and tenderness on the outside of the elbow. Although it is frequently linked to repetitive motions, such as those in racquet sports, it can affect people in a variety of occupations and activities. Tennis elbow can be treated conservatively with physiotherapy, which focuses on pain management, functional recovery, and recurrence prevention. The goal of this review is to give a thorough overview of the physiotherapy methods used to treat tennis elbow...

BACKGROUND: Internet gaming disorder (IGD) leads to social disturbances and isolation, neglect of daily responsibilities, behavioral disorders, and physical impairments. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effect of IGD on spine biomechanics, range of motion in the neck and low back, and lung functions and respiratory muscle strength in children and adolescents. METHODS: Sixty-four children and adolescents with IGD (Group I) and 41 healthy controls (Group II) were included in the study...

As commissioned by the WHO, we updated and expanded the scope of four systematic reviews to inform its (in development) clinical practice guideline for the management of CPLBP in adults, including older adults. Methodological details and results of each review are described in the respective articles in this series. In the last article of this series, we discuss methodological considerations, clinical implications and recommendations for future research.

INTRODUCTION: Necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTIs) are associated with a fulminating course because of their rapid destruction of tissue planes underlying the skin. Aeromonas -associated monomicrobial NSTIs are usually associated with exposure to fresh water, particularly among agricultural workers and fish handlers. Albeit uncommon in incidence, urgent medical and surgical intervention are required once a diagnosis has been made. CASE REPORT: A 40-year-old male patient, a known case of alcoholic liver disease, presented to the emergency department with pain and diffuse swelling of bilateral lower limbs, which quickly progressed to form blackish discolouration and blebs...

BACKGROUND: Chronic shoulder pain is a common presenting compliant in general practice. The differential diagnosis is broad and varies with patient age. OBJECTIVE: This article reviews the management of patients presenting with chronic shoulder pain. A structured approach to history and physical examination is presented, and appropriate investigations are discussed. Non-surgical and surgical treatment options are reviewed. DISCUSSION: Many patients presenting with chronic shoulder pain can be successfully treated non-surgically...

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic neurologic painful disorder usually present after a traumatic insult. It is divided into two subtypes based on the absence of a significant nerve injury: type 1 or dystrophy and type 2 or causalgia. The exact mechanism still needs to be fully understood. The management of CRPS requires a multidisciplinary team approach with a rehabilitation program and physical and occupational therapies. We present a case report of a 22-year-old Saudi female with no medical or surgical history who presented to the clinic with severe pain, swelling, and discoloration in the left lower limb associated with unusual symptoms of non-epileptic convulsion attack and short-term memory loss for three years that increased in intensity...

Rotator cuff tears, particularly involving the supraspinatus muscle and/or tendon, are highly prevalent among individuals engaged in repetitive shoulder motions. Occupations demanding constant and repetitive shoulder movements are especially susceptible to rotator cuff injuries, potentially leading to prolonged joint wear and tear and an increased likelihood of joint replacement. Considering the impact of social determinants of health, including access to healthcare and socioeconomic status, it is imperative to explore conservative treatment modalities that alleviate financial burdens and reduce lengthy recovery periods...

OBJECTIVE: Clinical practice is constantly changing with new guidelines being published, changes in patients' preferences but also by new qualitative requirements for therapists and institutional surveys on delivered care. Electronic health records (EHR) are used for all these purposes. We involved physiotherapists and occupational therapists in an intervention to change documentation practice in their electronic health record for low back pain (LBP) and later evaluated the feasibility of the new health records...