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Cureus Jul 2023Musculoskeletal shoulder pain (MSP) is a common orthopedic condition frequently treated by orthopedic surgeons and physical therapists in an interdisciplinary manner.... (Review)
Review
The Impact of Dry Needling With Electrical Stimulation on Pain and Disability in Patients With Musculoskeletal Shoulder Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
Musculoskeletal shoulder pain (MSP) is a common orthopedic condition frequently treated by orthopedic surgeons and physical therapists in an interdisciplinary manner. Dry needling with electrical stimulation (DNES) is an increasingly popular intervention used for the conservative treatment of MSP during physical therapy. To date, no systematic review and meta-analysis have examined the impact of DNES on outcomes in patients with MSP. This study aims to explore the effectiveness and safety of DNES in patients with MSP to improve patient outcomes. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted using PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Web of Science from database inception to March 10, 2023. Inclusion criteria were studies with DNES as an intervention, recorded patient outcomes, and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) only. DNES with or without conventional physical therapy (CPT) was compared to CPT alone, which included interventions such as exercise, manual therapy, dry needling without electrical stimulation, and/or interferential current. A total of five RCTs were analyzed from 144 articles retrieved on the initial search. Included patients (n=342) had an average age of 48.75 ± 5.92 years, an average follow-up time of 3.40 ± 1.42 months, and 184 patients receiving DNES with or without CPT. Patients treated with DNES with or without CPT (n=163) had a frequency-weighted mean decrease in pain of 4.8 ± 1.4 points, whereas patients treated with CPT alone (n=158) had a frequency-weighted mean decrease in pain of 3.3 ± 2.2 points. For meta-analysis of pain outcomes (n=321 total patients), DNES with or without CPT improved pain by 1.40/10 points as compared to CPT alone with no significant difference between groups (p=0.203; Cohen's d effect size (ES): 4.352; 95% CI: -2.343, 11.048). Patients treated with DNES with or without CPT (n=118) had a frequency-weighted mean decrease in disability of 34.7 ± 9.1 points. In contrast, patients treated with CPT alone (n=115) had a frequency-weighted decrease in disability of 20.1 ± 5.0 points. For meta-analysis of disability outcomes (n=233 total patients), DNES with or without CPT did not have a significant improvement in disability as compared to CPT alone (p=0.282; Cohen's d ES: 0.543; 95% CI: -0.446, 1.532). No serious adverse effects were reported for patients treated with DNES with or without CPT or CPT alone. DNES with or without CPT may significantly improve pain and disability in patients with MSP. However, DNES with or without CPT does not provide statistically significant improvements in pain or disability compared to CPT alone. Furthermore, DNES appears to be a safe intervention for MSP.
PubMed: 37546088
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.41404 -
Endocrine Practice : Official Journal... Sep 2023Age-related declines in muscle and bone, alongside a shift toward greater adiposity, contribute to falls and fracture risk. Testosterone is osteogenic, myogenic, and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Safety and Efficacy of Testosterone Therapy on Musculoskeletal Health and Clinical Outcomes in Men: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trials.
OBJECTIVE
Age-related declines in muscle and bone, alongside a shift toward greater adiposity, contribute to falls and fracture risk. Testosterone is osteogenic, myogenic, and catabolic to fat. As such, we examined the effects of testosterone therapy on musculoskeletal health and clinical outcomes in men.
METHODS
Electronic databases (Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Central) were systematically searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reporting on the effects of testosterone therapy versus placebo on any primary outcome (bone density, muscle mass, fat mass, muscle strength/physical performance) or secondary outcome (falls, fractures, disability, adverse events) in men (≥18 years). A random effects meta-regression examined the effects of testosterone on prespecified outcomes.
RESULTS
One thousand seven hundred twenty-eight men across 16 RCTs were included (mean age: 77.1 ± 7.6 years). Baseline mean serum testosterone ranged from 7.5 ± 0.3 to 18.9 ± 1.2 nmol/L. Compared to placebo, 6 months of testosterone therapy increased hip bone density and total lean mass, but effects for handgrip and total fat mass did not reach statistical significance. No significant effects of testosterone therapy on musculoskeletal outcomes were evident at 12 months. The limited number of RCTs reporting on adverse events/clinical outcomes, and the low incidence of these events across RCTs, prohibited statistical comparisons.
CONCLUSION
After 6 months, testosterone effectively increases hip bone density and total lean mass in men, but its effects are unclear for lumbar spine bone density and handgrip strength. Further, RCTs are needed to clarify the safety and efficacy of testosterone on musculoskeletal health and clinical outcomes.
Topics: Male; Humans; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Testosterone; Bone Density; Fractures, Bone; Bone and Bones; Muscle Strength; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 37164187
DOI: 10.1016/j.eprac.2023.04.013 -
Journal of Musculoskeletal & Neuronal... Dec 2023The study objective was to assess bone quality measured by high resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) in competitive athletes. Medline, EMBASE... (Review)
Review
The study objective was to assess bone quality measured by high resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) in competitive athletes. Medline, EMBASE and Sport Discus were searched through May 2022. Prior to submission, a follow-up database search was performed (January 2023). Studies of competitive athletes using HR-pQCT to assess bone quality were included. Athletes were aged between 14 and 45 years. Data extraction included study design and location (country), skeletal imaging modality and site, bone variables and any additional musculoskeletal-related outcome. Information identifying sports and athletes were also extracted. This review included 14 manuscripts and a total of 928 individuals (male: n=75; female: n=853). Athletes comprised 78% (n=722) of the included individuals and 93% of athletes were female. Assessment scores indicate the studies were good to fair quality. The athletes included in this review can be categorized into three groups: 1) healthy athletes, 2) athletes with compromised menstrual function (e.g., amenorrhoea), and 3) athletes with compromised bone health (e.g., bone stress injuries). When assessing bone quality using HR-pQCT, healthy competitive athletes had denser, stronger and larger bones with better microarchitecture, compared with controls. However, the same cannot be said for athletes with amenorrhoea or bone stress injuries.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Adolescent; Young Adult; Adult; Middle Aged; Bone Density; Amenorrhea; Bone and Bones; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Athletes; Radius
PubMed: 38037364
DOI: No ID Found -
Sleep Medicine Reviews Oct 2023This systematic review aimed to systematically investigate the literature on the effectiveness of exercise and physical activity programs on fatigue and sleep in people... (Review)
Review
This systematic review aimed to systematically investigate the literature on the effectiveness of exercise and physical activity programs on fatigue and sleep in people with arthritis. For that, seven databases were searched for relevant randomized controlled trials. After the searches, 36 studies investigating 2281 participants were included. Risk of bias assessments were done by two independent reviewers using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool 2. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed, and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation framework was used to judge the certainty of evidence. The evidence on benefits of exercise and physical activity programs on fatigue and sleep parameters in people with osteoarthritis and psoriatic arthritis was either lacking or inconclusive. There was very low to low certainty evidence for a slight benefit of exercise and physical activity programs on fatigue at short-term in people with ankylosing spondylitis and rheumatoid arthritis. However, the evidence was very uncertain for the medium- and long-term as well as for any sleep parameters. The results indicate that exercise and physical activity programs may offer some benefits on fatigue for people with arthritis in the short-term, although the best type of exercise remains uncertain. The available evidence on improvements in sleep was insufficient to draw strong conclusions.
PubMed: 37591046
DOI: 10.1016/j.smrv.2023.101832 -
Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and... Sep 2023Vibration therapy (VT), a treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, has been developed for clinical applications in the past decade. However, its effect on relieving... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Vibration therapy (VT), a treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, has been developed for clinical applications in the past decade. However, its effect on relieving chronic low back pain (CLBP) and improving lumbar function is still illusive, lacking sufficient evidence-based medical data.
OBJECTIVE
This systematic review aimed to evaluate the efficacy of vibration therapy on pain and function in people with CLBP.
METHODS
PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Embase, CNKI, Wanfang Date, VIP, and CBM were applied to search for clinical randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on vibration therapy for people with CLBP. The electronic databases were searched from the establishment of the database until July 1, 2023. Two researchers assessed the quality of the included studies and extracted data. The outcome indicators included the pain intensity index, Oswestry dysfunction index (ODI) score, and Roland-Morris dysfunction questionnaire (RMDQ) score. GRADE was used to evaluate the certainty of evidence of each outcome indicator. The meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.3 software.
RESULTS
Fourteen papers met the inclusion criteria with 860 subjects (VT group n = 432 and control group n = 428). VT for patients with CLBP reduced the pain intensity index [SMD = - 0.71, 95% CI (- 1.02, - 0.39), I = 76%, P < 0.0001], the ODI score value [MD = - 4.24, 95% CI (- 8.10, - 0.38), I = 88%, P = 0.03], and the RMDQ score value [MD = - 2.21, 95% CI (- 3.41, - 1.01), I = 0%, P = 0.0003]. Subgroup analysis displayed that the pain intensity index was lower in the whole-body vibration (WBV) group than in the control group [SMD = - 0.49, 95% CI (- 0.79, - 0.19), I = 58%, P = 0.001] and the local vibration (LV) group [SMD = - 1.07, 95% CI (- 1.60, - 0.53), I = 76%, P < 0.0001]. The ODI scores in the WBV group were lower than those in the control group [MD = - 3.30, 95% CI (- 5.76, - 0.83), I = 36%, P = 0.009]. There was no statistically significant difference in ODI scores between the LV group and the control group [MD = - 5.78, 95% CI (- 16.23, 4.66), I = 97%, P = 0.28].
CONCLUSION
The data from this study suggest that VT can reduce pain and improve lumbar function in patients with CLBP. However, we still need to carefully interpret the results of this study, as the certainty of evidence was low, and the clinical relevance of the results is questionable. Further RCTs are needed in the future to ascertain this.
Topics: Humans; Low Back Pain; Vibration; Physical Therapy Modalities; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Pain Measurement; Chronic Pain
PubMed: 37752526
DOI: 10.1186/s13018-023-04217-2 -
Work (Reading, Mass.) 2024Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) and ergonomic risk factors are very common in bakery workers. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) and ergonomic risk factors are very common in bakery workers.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to (1) assess the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among bakers because they use automated machines or traditional baking, and (2) to determine the strategies to prevent musculoskeletal disorders in bakers.
METHODS
A systematic review of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science was conducted from the beginning to February 4, 2022, based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Mesh keywords and phrases were used to execute the search strategy. Information on MSDs and ergonomic risk factors in bakery workers was collected. Two reviewers worked independently on study selection, data extraction, and paper quality ranking.
RESULTS
This study identified 14 papers from seven countries. Although the prevalence of MSDs in bakery workers has been studied, only a handful of them have been studied ergonomic risk factors, and the findings have been very limited. The association between different risk factors and MSDs seemed significant compared to many other occupational diseases. The traditional bread-baking system and lack of mechanization may increase the risk of MSDs in bakery workers.
CONCLUSION
WRMSDs for bakery workers have been less studied than other occupational diseases. Our systematic review found several significant relations between the factors influencing the prevalence of MSDs. This study also showed the comparison of traditional and modern cooking systems with diseases of the upper limbs, shoulders, and back pain as possible fields for future research.
Topics: Humans; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Back Pain; Ergonomics; Occupational Diseases; Risk Factors; Prevalence
PubMed: 37718825
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-220165 -
International Journal of Emergency... Nov 2023Several validated decision rules are available for clinicians to guide the appropriate use of imaging for patients with musculoskeletal injuries, including the Canadian... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Several validated decision rules are available for clinicians to guide the appropriate use of imaging for patients with musculoskeletal injuries, including the Canadian CT Head Rule, Canadian C-Spine Rule, National Emergency X-Radiography Utilization Study (NEXUS) guideline, Ottawa Ankle Rules and Ottawa Knee Rules. However, it is unclear to what extent clinicians are aware of the rules and are using these five rules in practice.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the proportion of clinicians that are aware of five imaging decision rules and the proportion that use them in practice.
DESIGN
Systematic review.
METHODS
This was a systematic review conducted in accordance with the 'Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses' (PRISMA) statement. We performed searches in MEDLINE (via Ovid), CINAHL (via EBSCO), EMBASE (via Ovid), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Web of Science and Scopus databases to identify observational and experimental studies with data on the following outcomes among clinicians related to five validated imaging decision rules: awareness, use, attitudes, knowledge, and barriers and facilitators to implementation. Where possible, we pooled data using medians to summarise these outcomes.
RESULTS
We included 39 studies. Studies were conducted in 15 countries (e.g. the USA, Canada, the UK, Australasia, New Zealand) and included various clinician types (e.g. emergency physicians, emergency nurses and nurse practitioners). Among the five decision rules, clinicians' awareness was highest for the Canadian C-Spine Rule (84%, n = 3 studies) and lowest for the Ottawa Knee Rules (18%, n = 2). Clinicians' use was highest for NEXUS (median percentage ranging from 7 to 77%, n = 4) followed by Canadian C-Spine Rule (56-71%, n = 7 studies) and lowest for the Ottawa Knee Rules which ranged from 18 to 58% (n = 4).
CONCLUSION
Our results suggest that awareness of the five imaging decision rules is low. Changing clinicians' attitudes and knowledge towards these decision rules and addressing barriers to their implementation could increase use.
PubMed: 37957570
DOI: 10.1186/s12245-023-00555-4 -
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders Dec 2023Chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP) is defined as persistent or recurrent pain that occurs in the joints, musculo-soft tissue, spine or bones for more than three months...
PURPOSE
Chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP) is defined as persistent or recurrent pain that occurs in the joints, musculo-soft tissue, spine or bones for more than three months and is not completely curable. Although topical Chinese patent medicine (CPM) is the most extensively utilized medication in Asia and is widely used for pain management, its efficacy remains controversial. This article presents a systematic review of clinical studies on the therapeutic properties of topical CPM for CMP patients to better inform clinical decision-making and provide additional and safer treatment options for patients with CMP.
METHOD
We performed a comprehensive search on PubMed, Cochrane Library, web of science and Chinese databases (CNKI and WanFang data) from 2010 to 2022. In all the studies, knee osteoarthritis, cervical spondylosis, low back pain, and periarthritis of shoulder met the International Pain Association definition of chronic musculoskeletal pain. We included only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using topical CPM primarily for chronic musculoskeletal pain in adults. To determine the effect of topical CPM on clinical symptoms, we extracted the Visual Analog Scale (VAS, range 0-10) and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index pain scores (WOMAC pain, range 0-20), in which the lower the score, the better the results. We also accepted the comprehensive outcome criteria developed by the Chinese National Institute of Rheumatology as an endpoint (total effectiveness rate, range 0-100%, higher score = better outcome), which assesses the overall pain, physical function and wellness. Finally, trial sequential analysis of VAS pain score and total effectiveness rate was performed using TSA software.
RESULTS
Twenty-six randomized controlled trials (n = 3180 participants) compared topical CPM with oral Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) (n = 15), topical NSAIDs (n = 9), physiotherapy (n = 5), exercise therapy (n = 4), and intra-articular Sodium hyaluronate injection (n = 2). Sixteen studies found that topical CPM was statistically significant in improving CMP pain (measured by VAS pain and Womac pain scores)(p < 0.05), and 12 studies found topical CPMs to be more clinically effective (assessed by ≥ 30% reduction in symptom severity) in treating patients with CMP (p < 0.05). Trial sequential analysis indicates that the current available evidence is robust, and further studies cannot reverse this result. In most of the studies, randomisation, allocation concealment and blinding were not sufficiently described, and no placebo-controlled trials were identified.
CONCLUSION
Most studies showed superior analgesic effects of topical CPM over various control treatments, suggesting that topical CPM may be effective for CMP and is an additional, safe and reasonable treatment option. These reported benefits should be validated in higher-quality RCTs.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Musculoskeletal Pain; Nonprescription Drugs; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Osteoarthritis, Knee; Exercise Therapy
PubMed: 38124185
DOI: 10.1186/s12891-023-07072-8 -
Journal of Safety Research Feb 2024Due to the nature of their job, firefighters face many ergonomic risk factors and are exposed to several musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). The aim of this systematic... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
INTRODUCTION
Due to the nature of their job, firefighters face many ergonomic risk factors and are exposed to several musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the prevalence of MSDs among firefighters.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This study was conducted based on preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The literature search was conducted in the databases of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, SID, ISC and Google Scholar without applying a time limitation until the end of July 2022. The random effects model was used for meta-analysis, and the I index was used to check heterogeneity among studies. The data were analyzed using STATA version 14 software.
RESULTS
The primary literature searches in the databases identified 1,291 articles, 26 of which were entered the meta-analysis stage after screening, study selection, and quality assessment, including 36,342 firefighters. Based on the results of a meta-analysis, the overall prevalence of MSDs among firefighters was 46.39% (95% CI: 32.45-60.32, I = 99.7%, P < 0.001). The prevalence of MSDs was also investigated at neck (18.36%), low back (34.32%), shoulder (18.68%), hands (7.43%), upper back (10.15%), knee (19.97%) and foot (6.66%).
CONCLUSION
Considering the relatively high prevalence of MSDs among firefighters and their higher exposition to specific job-related risk factors of MSDs compared to other professions, it is suggested to provide firefighters with appropriate training, implement ergonomic interventions, and regularly screen them to reduce MSDs.
Topics: Humans; Occupational Diseases; Firefighters; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Ergonomics; Risk Factors; Prevalence
PubMed: 38485380
DOI: 10.1016/j.jsr.2023.11.009 -
Journal of Oral Rehabilitation Aug 2023Masticatory dysfunction impacts food selection, nutritional intake and social activities; all of which play a vital role to ensure good general health and quality of... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Masticatory dysfunction impacts food selection, nutritional intake and social activities; all of which play a vital role to ensure good general health and quality of life. Despite the rapidly ageing population, there is limited evidence regarding the risk factors that lead to masticatory dysfunction in older adults or protective factors which may help maintain masticatory ability. Furthermore, there is currently no consensus for a specific test which measures masticatory ability.
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this scoping review are to identify the risk and protective factors associated with masticatory dysfunction and determine the most commonly used objective measure of masticatory performance.
DESIGN
A scoping review was performed using the PRISMA recommendations. MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase, Scopus and Web of Science databases were searched. Seventy-eight articles were included in this review. There were six randomised controlled trials, six interventional studies, one systematic review, one quasi-experimental study, five prospective cohort studies, 58 cross-sectional studies and one case-control study. Data were analysed for frequency of studies reporting on risk factors, protective factors and/or objective measures of masticatory performance.
RESULTS
This scoping review identified tooth loss as the most common risk factor for masticatory dysfunction. Other notable risk factors included musculoskeletal conditions such as frailty and sarcopenia, cognitive decline and malnutrition. Additionally, the review identified that the presence or addition of teeth was the main protective factor. Other protective factors included denture maintenance via liners and adhesives, textured foods, and oral exercises. Chewing gum was the most common objective measure of masticatory function, followed by the occlusal force and sieve methods.
CONCLUSIONS
This scoping review found that there was limited evidence for a causal link between each of the risk factors and masticatory dysfunction or the protective factors and the maintenance of masticatory ability in older adults. Establishing a standard method for measuring masticatory performance such as the commonly used chewing gum method and encouraging clinicians to routinely measure masticatory function will enable comparisons across multiple risk and protective factors, improving the evidence base and contributing to better patient care.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Cross-Sectional Studies; Quality of Life; Chewing Gum; Case-Control Studies; Prospective Studies; Mastication
PubMed: 37183339
DOI: 10.1111/joor.13493