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Special Issue "Prevalence, Evaluation and Management of Chronic Spinal Pain and Musculoskeletal Disorders"

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Health Behavior, Chronic Disease and Health Promotion".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2024 | Viewed by 9681

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Gustavo Plaza-Manzano

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Guest Editor

Department of Radiology, Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Interests: manual therapy; myofascial pain syndromes; neuropathic pain; neck pain; low back pain; chronic pain
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Juan Antonio Valera-Calero

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Guest Editor

VALTRADOFI Research Group, Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health, Universidad Camilo José Cela, Villanueva de la Cañada, 28692 Madrid, Spain
Interests: ultrasound imaging; neck pain; low back pain; myofascial pain syndromes; elastography; chronic pain; dry needling; manual therapy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Musculoskeletal conditions are the leading contributor to disability globally, affecting up to 1.71 billion people according to the World Health Organization. Despite low back pain causing the highest economic burden, there are more than 150 musculoskeletal conditions compromising the locomotor system. Since musculoskeletal health is essential for human function and the ability of work and daily living activities, a major issue for clinicians and researchers is to provide appropriate recommendations for guiding diagnosis and management. Please join us in presenting this Special Issue currently focused on the prevalence, evaluation and management of chronic musculoskeletal conditions (e.g., neck pain, low back pain, osteoarthritis, etc.) in order to provide a multidisciplinary approach and update on recent advances and perspectives for this health problem, including prevalence and epidemiological, imaging, diagnosis accuracy and experimental studies.

Prof. Dr. Gustavo Plaza-Manzano
Dr. Juan Antonio Valera-Calero
Guest Editors

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Keywords

neck pain
low back pain
musculoskeletal diseases
myofascial pain syndromes
pain management
clinical medicine
ultrasound imaging
chronic pain
dry needling
manual therapy

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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Open AccessArticle

Trunk Control Measurement Scale (TCMS): Psychometric Properties of Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Spanish Version

Javier López-Ruiz

Cecilia Estrada-Barranco

Carlos Martín-Gómez

Rosa M. Egea-Gámez

Juan Antonio Valera-Calero

Patricia Martín-Casas

and

Ibai López-de-Uralde-Villanueva

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(6), 5144; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20065144 - 15 Mar 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1371

Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop a Spanish Version of the Trunk Measurement Scale (TCMS-S) to analyze its validity and reliability and determine the Standard Error of Measurement (SEM) and Minimal Detectable Change (MDC) in children with Cerebral Palsy (CP). Participants were assessed twice 7–15 days apart with the TCMS-S and once with the Gross Motor Function Measurement-88 (GMFM-88), Pediatric Disability Inventory-Computer Adaptive Test (PEDI-CAT), Cerebral Palsy Quality of Life (CPQoL), and Gross Motor Classification System (GMFCS). Internal consistency was evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha, and the intraclass correlation (ICC) and kappa coefficients were used to investigate the agreement between the assessments. Finally, 96 participants with CP were included. The TCMS-S showed excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.95 [0.93 to 0.96]); was highly correlated with the GMFM-88 (rho = 0.816) and the “mobility” subscale of the PEDI-CAT (rho = 0.760); showed a moderate correlation with the “feeling about functioning” CPQoL subscale (rho = 0.576); and differentiated between the GMFCS levels. Excellent test–retest agreement was found for the total and subscale scores (ICC ≥ 0.94 [0.89 to 0.97). For the total TCMS-S score, an SEM of 1.86 and an MDC of 5.15 were found. The TCMS-S is a valid and reliable tool for assessing trunk control in children with CP. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prevalence, Evaluation and Management of Chronic Spinal Pain and Musculoskeletal Disorders)

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Open AccessArticle

Development of the Web-Based Spanish Version of the Barthel Index in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Sandra Aguilar-Zafra

Tamara del Corral

Juan Antonio Valera-Calero

Patricia Martín-Casas

Gustavo Plaza-Manzano

and

Ibai López-de-Uralde-Villanueva

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(21), 13965; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192113965 - 27 Oct 2022

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Abstract

Background: The aims of this study were to develop a web-based Spanish form of the Barthel index (BI), to evaluate its psychometric properties and stability over time (test-retest), and to determine minimal detectable change (MDC) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: Participants answered the BI on two forms (web-based and face-to-face interview), 7–10 days apart. The internal consistency was evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha, and intraclass correlation (ICC) and kappa (κ) coefficients were used to investigate the agreement between both forms. Results: 143 participants were included. The Spanish web-based form of the BI showed excellent agreement between both forms for each item (κ = 0.86 (0.79 to 0.92), and for total score (κ = 0.87 (0.81 to 0.93); ICC = 0.99 (0.98 to 0.99). The internal consistency was good–excellent (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.89 (0.86–0.91)). The stability over time was adequate, the agreement of each item was κ = 0.63 (0.52–0.74)), and for total score (ICC = 0.97), determining a MDC₉₅ of 12.09 points. Conclusions: The Spanish web-based form of the BI is a valid and reliable tool to assess functionality and can be applied in both formats in patients with MS. A total score difference of more than 12 points was found to indicate a deterioration or improvement in the patient’s functionality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prevalence, Evaluation and Management of Chronic Spinal Pain and Musculoskeletal Disorders)

Open AccessArticle

Bayesian Linear Regressions Applied to Fibromyalgia Syndrome for Understanding the Complexity of This Disorder

Margarita I. Cigarán-Méndez

Oscar J. Pellicer-Valero

José D. Martín-Guerrero

Umut Varol

César Fernández-de-las-Peñas

Esperanza Navarro-Pardo

and

Juan A. Valera-Calero

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(8), 4682; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19084682 - 13 Apr 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1405

Abstract

A better understanding of the connection between factors associated with pain sensitivity and related disability in people with fibromyalgia syndrome may assist therapists in optimizing therapeutic programs. The current study applied mathematical modeling to analyze relationships between pain-related, psychological, psychophysical, health-related, and cognitive variables with sensitization symptom and related disability by using Bayesian Linear Regressions (BLR) in women with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). The novelty of the present work was to transfer a mathematical background to a complex pain condition with widespread symptoms. Demographic, clinical, psychological, psychophysical, health-related, cognitive, sensory-related, and related-disability variables were collected in 126 women with FMS. The first BLR model revealed that age, pain intensity at rest (mean-worst pain), years with pain (history of pain), and anxiety levels have significant correlations with the presence of sensitization-associated symptoms. The second BLR showed that lower health-related quality of life and higher pain intensity at rest (mean-worst pain) and pain intensity with daily activities were significantly correlated with related disability. These results support an application of mathematical modeling for identifying different interactions between a sensory (i.e., Central Sensitization Score) and a functional (i.e., Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire) aspect in women with FMS. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prevalence, Evaluation and Management of Chronic Spinal Pain and Musculoskeletal Disorders)

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Open AccessArticle

Physical Function in Amateur Athletes with Lumbar Disc Herniation and Chronic Low Back Pain: A Case-Control Study

Diego Miñambres-Martín

Patricia Martín-Casas

Ibai López-de-Uralde-Villanueva

César Fernández-de-las-Peñas

Juan Antonio Valera-Calero

and

Gustavo Plaza-Manzano

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(6), 3743; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19063743 - 21 Mar 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2238

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze if chronic low back pain (LBP) and lumbar disc herniation induce biomechanics, flexibility, body balance, physical activity, and muscular function alterations compared to a similar asymptomatic cohort. Fifty male volunteers (n = 25 with chronic LBP and lumbar disc herniation and n = 25 pain-free subjects) were enrolled. Range of motion (internal and external hip rotation, ankle dorsiflexion, and active straight leg raise, ASLR), trunk flexibility (finger–floor distance), body balance (Y-balance test) and muscle function (Biering–Sorensen test, prone and lateral bridges) outcomes were assessed. Comparative analyses between sides and group were conducted. Results: Patients showed greater weight and BMI compared with controls (p < 0.05). None of the outcomes bilaterally assessed showed side-to-side differences for pain-free participants (all, p > 0.05) or LBP patients (all, p > 0.05). Regarding the differences between groups, LBP patients showed limited internal hip rotation (p < 0.001), finger–floor distance (p < 0.001), body balance (p < 0.001), and muscle endurance (planks p < 0.001; Biering–Sorensen test p < 0.05). External hip rotation, ASLR, and ankle dorsiflexion range of movement were comparable in both groups (p > 0.05). The sample of pain-free amateur athletes showed greater range of movement for internal hip rotation, lower finger–floor distance, better body balance, and muscle function. However, the external hip rotation, ankle dorsiflexion, and ASLR tests showed no difference between cases and controls. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prevalence, Evaluation and Management of Chronic Spinal Pain and Musculoskeletal Disorders)

Review

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Open AccessReview

Efficacy of Dry Needling and Acupuncture in Patients with Fibromyalgia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Juan Antonio Valera-Calero

César Fernández-de-las-Peñas

Marcos José Navarro-Santana

and

Gustavo Plaza-Manzano

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(16), 9904; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19169904 - 11 Aug 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3261

Abstract

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a syndrome that involves chronic pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance and impaired quality of life and daily functioning. In addition to medical and psychological therapies, other therapies including acupuncture and dry needling aim to reduce pain and disability in patients with FM. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of dry needling and acupuncture in patients with FM regarding pain, function and disability in both the short and the long term. MEDLINE, PubMed, SCOPUS and Web of Science databases were systematically searched for randomized controlled trial studies evaluating efficacy data of dry needling or/and acupuncture treatments to improve pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance and impaired quality of life and/or daily function. A qualitative analysis including the methodological quality and a systematic data synthesis was performed. A total of 25 studies addressed the selection criteria. Most studies had an acceptable methodological quality. Four studies assessed the effect of dry needling, and twenty-one studies assessed the effect of acupuncture. In general, both interventions improved pain, anxiety, depression, fatigue, stiffness, quality of sleep and quality of life. However, both techniques were not compared in any study. Acupuncture and dry needling therapies seems to be effective in patients with FM, since both reduced pain pressure thresholds, anxiety, depression, fatigue, sleep disturbances and disability in the short term. It is still required to compare both techniques and their application in the long term. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prevalence, Evaluation and Management of Chronic Spinal Pain and Musculoskeletal Disorders)

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