Articles: low-back-pain.
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A prospective follow-up study. ⋯ 4.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Investigating the effects of myofascial induction therapy techniques on pain, function and quality of life in patients with chronic low back pain.
Low back pain (LBP) is well documented as a common health problem; it is the leading cause of activity limitation and work absence throughout much of the world, and it causes an enormous economic burden on individuals, families, communities, industry, and governments. The aim of this study was to comparatively investigate the effects of myofascial induction therapy (MIT) against pain neuroscience education (PNE) on pain and function in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP). ⋯ Although both MIT and PNE were found to be effective on pain and function in patients with CLBP, MIT techniques were substantially better in improving the mobility of trunk flexion and quality of life in these patients.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Exposure to Odors Increases Pain Threshold in Chronic Low Back Pain Patients.
Structured exposure to odors is an acknowledged therapy in patients with smell loss but has also been shown to be effective in depression. The latter might rely on connections between olfactory and emotional structures, suggesting possible effects of a similar approach in pain patients. Based on neuroanatomy, there are several interfaces between the "pain matrix" and olfactory system, such as the limbic system, hypothalamus, and mediodorsal thalamus. We aimed to investigate whether structured exposure to odors may impact perceived pain in patients with chronic low back pain. ⋯ The present results indicate that regular exposure to odors increases pain thresholds in patients with chronic back pain and could be useful for general pain control in these patients. Furthermore, olfactory training in chronic pain patients might help to reduce chronification of pain by desensitization.
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Descriptors provided by patients with neuropathic low back pain (NLBP) with or without spinally referred leg pain are frequently used by clinicians to help to identify the predominant pain mechanisms. Indeed, many neuropathic screening tools are primarily based on subjective descriptors to determine the presence of neuropathic pain. There is a need to systematically review and analyse the existing evidence to determine the validity of such descriptors in this cohort. ⋯ Subjectively reported allodynia and numbness would suggest a neuropathic pain mechanism in LBP. Dysesthesia would raise the suspicion of NLBP. More research is needed to determine if descriptors suggesting autonomic dysfunction can identify NLBP. There is poor consensus on whether other descriptors can identify NLBP.
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Effective, inexpensive, and low-risk interventions are needed for patients with nonspecific persistent low back pain (NS-PLBP) who are unresponsive to primary care interventions. Cognitive functional therapy (CFT) is a multidimensional behavioral self-management approach that has demonstrated promising results in primary care and has not been tested in secondary care. ⋯ These findings support that CFT is beneficial for patients with NS-PLBP who are unresponsive to primary care interventions. Subsequent randomized controlled trials could incorporate booster sessions, which may result in larger effects at 12-month follow-up.