scholarly journals Effect of a Consumer-Focused Website for Low Back Pain on Health Literacy, Treatment Choices, and Clinical Outcomes: Randomized Controlled Trial

10.2196/27860 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. e27860
Author(s):  
Paul William Hodges ◽  
Leanne Hall ◽  
Jenny Setchell ◽  
Simon French ◽  
Jessica Kasza ◽  
...  

Background The internet is used for information related to health conditions, including low back pain (LBP), but most LBP websites provide inaccurate information. Few studies have investigated the effectiveness of internet resources in changing health literacy or treatment choices. Objective This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the MyBackPain website compared with unguided internet use on health literacy, choice of treatments, and clinical outcomes in people with LBP. Methods This was a pragmatic, web-based, participant- and assessor-blinded randomized trial of individuals with LBP stratified by duration. Participants were randomly allocated to have access to the evidence-based MyBackPain website, which was designed with input from consumers and expert consensus or unguided internet use. The coprimary outcomes were two dimensions of the Health Literacy Questionnaire (dimension 2: “having sufficient information to manage my health;” dimension 3: “actively managing my health;” converted to scores 1-100) at 3 months. Secondary outcomes included additional Health Literacy Questionnaire dimensions, quality of treatment choices, and clinical outcomes. Results A total of 453 participants were recruited, and 321 (70.9%) completed the primary outcomes. Access to MyBackPain was not superior to unguided internet use on primary outcomes (dimension 2: mean difference −0.87 units, 95% CI −3.56 to 1.82; dimension 3: mean difference −0.41 units, 95% CI −2.78 to 1.96). Between-group differences in other secondary outcomes had inconsistent directions and were unlikely to be clinically important, although a small improvement of unclear importance in the quality of stated treatment choices at 1 month was found (mean difference 0.93 units, 95% CI 0.03 to 1.84). Conclusions MyBackPain was not superior to unguided internet use for health literacy, but data suggest some short-term improvement in treatment choices. Future research should investigate if greater interactivity and engagement with the website may enhance its impact. Trial Registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) ACTRN12617001292369; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=372926 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) RR2-10.1136/bmjopen-2018-027516

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul William Hodges ◽  
Leanne Hall ◽  
Jenny Setchell ◽  
Simon French ◽  
Jessica Kasza ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND The internet is used for information related to health conditions, including low back pain (LBP), but most LBP websites provide inaccurate information. Few studies have investigated the effectiveness of internet resources in changing health literacy or treatment choices. OBJECTIVE This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the MyBackPain website compared with unguided internet use on health literacy, choice of treatments, and clinical outcomes in people with LBP. METHODS This was a pragmatic, web-based, participant- and assessor-blinded randomized trial of individuals with LBP stratified by duration. Participants were randomly allocated to have access to the evidence-based MyBackPain website, which was designed with input from consumers and expert consensus or unguided internet use. The coprimary outcomes were two dimensions of the Health Literacy Questionnaire (dimension 2: “having sufficient information to manage my health;” dimension 3: “actively managing my health;” converted to scores 1-100) at 3 months. Secondary outcomes included additional Health Literacy Questionnaire dimensions, quality of treatment choices, and clinical outcomes. RESULTS A total of 453 participants were recruited, and 321 (70.9%) completed the primary outcomes. Access to MyBackPain was not superior to unguided internet use on primary outcomes (dimension 2: mean difference −0.87 units, 95% CI −3.56 to 1.82; dimension 3: mean difference −0.41 units, 95% CI −2.78 to 1.96). Between-group differences in other secondary outcomes had inconsistent directions and were unlikely to be clinically important, although a small improvement of unclear importance in the quality of stated treatment choices at 1 month was found (mean difference 0.93 units, 95% CI 0.03 to 1.84). CONCLUSIONS MyBackPain was not superior to unguided internet use for health literacy, but data suggest some short-term improvement in treatment choices. Future research should investigate if greater interactivity and engagement with the website may enhance its impact. CLINICALTRIAL Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) ACTRN12617001292369; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=372926 INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT RR2-10.1136/bmjopen-2018-027516


2010 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie M. Fritz ◽  
Shannon N. Clifford

Abstract Context: Back pain is common in adolescents. Participation in sports has been identified as a risk factor for the development of back pain in adolescents, but the influence of sports participation on treatment outcomes in adolescents has not been adequately examined. Objective: To examine the clinical outcomes of rehabilitation for adolescents with low back pain (LBP) and to evaluate the influence of sports participation on outcomes. Design: Observational study. Setting: Outpatient physical therapy clinics. Patients or Other Participants: Fifty-eight adolescents (age  =  15.40 ± 1.44 years; 56.90% female) with LBP referred for treatment. Twenty-three patients (39.66%) had developed back pain from sports participation. Intervention(s): Patients completed the Modified Oswestry Disability Questionnaire and numeric pain rating before and after treatment. Treatment duration and content were at the clinician's discretion. Adolescents were categorized as sports participants if the onset of back pain was linked to organized sports. Additional data collected included diagnostic imaging before referral, clinical characteristics, and medical diagnosis. Main Outcome Measure(s): Baseline characteristics were compared based on sports participation. The influence of sports participation on outcomes was examined using a repeated-measures analysis of covariance with the Oswestry and pain scores as dependent variables. The number of sessions and duration of care were compared using t tests. Results: Many adolescents with LBP receiving outpatient physical therapy treatment were involved in sports and cited sports participation as a causative factor for their LBP. Some differences in baseline characteristics and clinical treatment outcomes were noted between sports participants and nonparticipants. Sports participants were more likely to undergo magnetic resonance imaging before referral (P  =  .013), attended more sessions (mean difference  =  1.40, 95% confidence interval [CI]  =  0.21, 2.59, P  =  .022) over a longer duration (mean difference  =  12.44 days, 95% CI  =  1.28, 23.10, P  =  .024), and experienced less improvement in disability (mean Oswestry difference  =  6.66, 95% CI  =  0.53, 12.78, P  =  .048) than nonparticipants. Overall, the pattern of clinical outcomes in this sample of adolescents with LBP was similar to that of adults with LBP. Conclusions: Adolescents with LBP due to sports participation received more treatment but experienced less improvement in disability than nonparticipants. This may indicate a worse prognosis for sports participants. Further research is required.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph F Norman ◽  
Kevin A Kupzyk ◽  
Nancy T Artinian ◽  
Steven J Keteyian ◽  
Windy S Alonso ◽  
...  

Background: Regular exercise training has beneficial effects on quality of life, physical function, depression and anxiety in individuals with heart failure. Unfortunately, individuals with heart failure have low levels of adherence to exercise. Thus, studies are needed to assess intervention strategies which may enhance clinical outcomes. Aim: The aim of this study was to identify the components of the HEART Camp intervention, which contributed to optimizing clinical outcomes. Methods: The Heart Failure Exercise and Resistance Training Camp (HEART Camp) was a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effect of a multicomponent intervention on adherence to exercise (6, 12 and 18 months) compared to an enhanced usual care group. This study assessed various components of the intervention on the secondary outcomes of physical function, health-related quality of life, depression, anxiety, and fatigue. Results: Individuals participating ( n=204) in this study were 55.4% men and the average age was 60.4 (11.5) years. A combination of individualized and group-based strategies demonstrated clinical improvements, HEART Camp versus enhanced usual care groups, in physical function, positive trends in health-related quality of life and positive changes in the minimally important differences for depression, anxiety, and fatigue. Conclusions: Individualized coaching by an exercise professional and group-based educational sessions were identified as important components of patient management contributing to improvements in the secondary outcomes of physical function, health-related quality of life, depression, anxiety and fatigue.


2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-76
Author(s):  
Erik J. Groessl ◽  
Lin Liu ◽  
Laura Schmalzl ◽  
Douglas G. Chang ◽  
Adhana McCarthy ◽  
...  

Abstract Chronic low-back pain (cLBP) is a prevalent condition, and rates are higher among military veterans. cLBP is a persistent condition, and treatment options have either modest effects or a significant risk of side-effects, which has led to recent efforts to explore mind-body intervention options and reduce opioid medication use. Prior studies of yoga for cLBP in community samples, and the main results of a recent trial with military veterans, indicate that yoga can reduce back-related disability and pain intensity. Secondary outcomes from the trial of yoga with military veterans are presented here. In the study, 150 military veterans (Veterans Administration patients) with cLBP were randomized to either yoga or a delayed-treatment group receiving usual care between 2013 and 2015. Assessments occurred at baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 6 months. Intent-to-treat analyses were conducted. Yoga classes lasting 60 minutes each were offered twice weekly for 12 weeks. Yoga sessions consisted of physical postures, movement, focused attention, and breathing techniques. Home practice guided by a manual was strongly recommended. The primary outcome measure was Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire scores after 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes included pain intensity, pain interference, depression, fatigue, quality of life, self-efficacy, and medication usage. Yoga participants improved more than delayed-treatment participants on pain interference, fatigue, quality of life, and self-efficacy at 12 weeks and/or 6 months. Yoga participants had greater improvements across a number of important secondary health outcomes compared to controls. Benefits emerged despite some veterans facing challenges with attending yoga sessions in person. The findings support wider implementation of yoga programs for veterans, with attention to increasing accessibility of yoga programs in this population.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jana Semrau ◽  
Christian Hentschke ◽  
Stefan Peters ◽  
Klaus Pfeifer

Abstract Background The long-term effects of behavioural medical rehabilitation (BMR), as a type of multidisciplinary rehabilitation, in the treatment of chronic non-specific low back pain (CLBP) have been shown. However, the specific effects of behavioural exercise therapy (BET) compared to standard exercise therapy (SET) within BMR are not well understood. The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of BMR + BET compared to BMR + SET in individuals with CLBP in a two-armed, pre-registered, multicentre, parallel, randomised controlled trial (RCT). Methods A total of 351 adults with CLBP in two rehabilitation centres were online randomised based on an ‘urn randomisation’ algorithm to either BMR + SET (n = 175) or BMR + BET (n = 176). Participants in both study groups were non-blinded and received BMR, consisting of an multidisciplinary admission, a psychosocial assessment, multidisciplinary case management, psychological treatment, health education and social counselling. The intervention group (BMR + BET) received a manualised, biopsychosocial BET within BMR. The aim of BET was to develop self-management strategies in coping with CLBP. The control group (BMR + SET) received biomedical SET within BMR with the aim to improve mainly physical fitness. Therapists in both study groups were not blinded. The BMR lasted on average 27 days, and both exercise programmes had a mean duration of 26 h. The primary outcome was functional ability at 12 months. Secondary outcomes were e.g. pain, avoidance-endurance, pain management and physical activity. The analysis was by intention-to-treat, blinded to the study group, and used a linear mixed model. Results There were no between-group differences observed in function at the end of the BMR (mean difference, 0.08; 95% CI − 2.82 to 2.99; p = 0.955), at 6 months (mean difference, − 1.80; 95% CI; − 5.57 to 1.97; p = 0.349) and at 12 months (mean difference, − 1.33; 95% CI − 5.57 to 2.92; p = 0.540). Both study groups improved in the primary outcome and most secondary outcomes at 12 months with small to medium effect sizes. Conclusion BMR + BET was not more effective in improving function and other secondary outcomes in individuals with CLBP compared to BMR + SET. Trial registration Current controlled trials NCT01666639, 16/08/2012.


BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. e027516
Author(s):  
Leanne M Hall ◽  
Manuela Ferreira ◽  
Jenny Setchell ◽  
Simon French ◽  
Jessica Kasza ◽  
...  

IntroductionDespite the prevalence of low back pain (LBP) worldwide, many people with the condition do not receive evidence-based care or achieve the best possible outcomes. There is a gap in the dissemination of evidence-based information across the globe. The advent of the internet has changed the way people obtain health information. As such, trustworthy, tailored and validated LBP resources may help bridge the gap. This study aims to measure the effectiveness of a new website (MyBackPain) in improving spinal health literacy, treatment preferences and clinical outcomes for people with LBP, in comparison with other online resources.Methods and analysisThis online, pragmatic, randomised controlled trial will comprise 440 people with non-specific LBP of any duration. In addition to access to publicly available online information (control group), the intervention group will be given access to the MyBackPain.org.au website. Participants and research staff, including the biostatistician, will be blinded to treatment allocation. Data will be collected at baseline, 1, 3 (primary end-point), 6 and 12 months via online surveys and questionnaires. The primary outcome is spinal health literacy. Secondary outcomes include quality of treatment preferences (stated and observed) and LBP clinical outcomes (pain, disability and quality of life). Analyses will be by intention-to-treat and include outcome data on all randomised participants. Descriptive statistics will be presented for demographic and clinical characteristics.Ethics and disseminationThis trial has been prospectively registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry and has ethical approval from the University of Queensland Human Research Ethics Committee (2017000995). Trial outcomes will be shared via national and international conference presentations and peer-reviewed journal publications.Trial registration numberACTRN12617001292369; Pre-results.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
N Quintino ◽  
G David ◽  
E Sabino ◽  
J L Silva ◽  
A L Ribeiro ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Chagas disease (CD) is a neglected tropical disease that affects mainly vulnerable population, whose majority has low ability to understand health information. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of health literacy (HL) and its association with sociodemographic, quality of life, health care aspects and worse clinical outcomes. Methods This is a cross-sectional study developed inside a cohort study (SaMi-Trop) including 1959 patients. It has been conducted in an endemic region to CD in Brazil. The eligible criteria for HL evaluation was the ability to read. The HL was assessed with SALPHA-18 scale and literacy was categorized in inadequate HL; adequate HL and; illiterate. Multiple models were adjusted using binary logistic regression, multinomial and beta regression models using the gamlss framework. Results Of the patients included, 1136 (74.1%) are illiterate. For HL assessment, only 397 managed to complete the HL evaluation. The prevalence of inadequate HL was 85.1% (338), only 59 patients (14.9%) had adequate HL. Our results are as following: 1) being illiterate increases the chance of using more drugs when compared to individuals with adequate HL - 1 or 2 drugs (OR: 1.96; CI: 1.06-3.62) and 3 to 4 medications (OR: 3.06; CI:1.44-6.52), to have hypertension (OR: 2.24; CI: 1.29-3.90), report an average self-perceived health (OR: 2.97; IC: 1.63-5.42) and report poor self-perceived health (OR: 3.67; CI: 1.71-7.89); 2) inadequate literacy increases the chance of using 3 to 4 medications (OR: 2.26; CI: 1.04-4.93) and report an average self-perceived health (OR: 2.48; CI: 1.34-4.62); 3) Illiterate patients present worst quality of life scores in Physical (OR: 0,730; CI: 0,583-0,914), Psychological (OR: 0,671; CI: 0,544-0,828) and Environmental (OR: 0,727; CI: 0,601-0,880) domains. Conclusions We found a high prevalence of inadequate HL; it was associated with worse clinical outcomes and poor self-perceived health. Key messages Our findings reinforce the importance of improving health communication in CD patients seeking to avoid unfavorable outcomes. A high prevalence of inadequate health literacy was observed in our study, which can impact the self-care ability of patients with CD.


2019 ◽  
Vol 108 (4) ◽  
pp. 317-327 ◽  
Author(s):  
John K. Ramage ◽  
Pankaj Punia ◽  
Olusola Faluyi ◽  
Andrea Frilling ◽  
Tim Meyer ◽  
...  

Background/Aims: To assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL), treatment patterns, and clinical outcomes of adult (≥18 years) patients with advanced (unresectable or metastatic) pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (PanNENs) treated with everolimus in routine clinical practice. Methods: In a prospective, non-interventional, multi-center study patients administered at least one 10 mg dose of everolimus were evaluated for change in HRQoL (EORTC QLQ-C30 Global Health Status scale) from baseline after 6 months treatment (primary endpoint). Secondary endpoints included disease-specific HRQoL measures (EORTC QLQ-G.I.NET21), clinical outcomes, everolimus treatment patterns, and safety. Results: Forty-eight patients were recruited (between August 2013 and March 2015); the median treatment duration was 27.8 months. EORTC QLQ-C30 Global Health score was not significantly different from baseline after 6 months of treatment (mean difference –1.9 points, p = 0.660, n = 30). In pairwise analyses, the only significant changes in HRQoL from baseline were for EORTC QLQ-C30 physical functioning score at month 3 (adjusted mean difference –8.8 points, p = 0.002, n = 36) and the EORTC QLQ-G.I.NET21 disease-related worries scores at months 1 and 2 (adjusted mean differences: –11.5 points [p = 0.001, n = 44] and –8.8 points [p = 0.017, n = 43], respectively). Disease progression or death was recorded in 44.4% (n = 20/45) patients during follow-up; median progression-free survival was 25.1 months and the cumulative survival rate at 3 years was 71%. No new safety signals were detected. Conclusions: The OBLIQUE study demonstrates that HRQoL is maintained in patients with PanNENs during treatment with everolimus in a UK real-world setting. This study adds to the limited HRQoL data available in this patient group.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason Chui ◽  
Moaz B. Y. Chohan ◽  
John M. Murkin ◽  
Maxim Rachinsky ◽  
Shalini Dhir ◽  
...  

Background Evoked potential monitoring is believed to prevent neurologic injury in various surgical settings; however, its clinical effect has not been scrutinized. It was hypothesized that an automated nerve monitor can minimize intraoperative nerve injury and thereby improve clinical outcomes in patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty. Methods A prospective, blinded, parallel group, superiority design, single-center, randomized controlled study was conducted. Study participants were equally randomized into either the automated nerve-monitored or the blinded monitored groups. The primary outcome was intraoperative nerve injury burden as assessed by the cumulative duration of nerve alerts. Secondary outcomes were neurologic deficits and functional scores of the operative arm, and the quality of life index (Euro Quality of life-5 domain-5 level score) at postoperative weeks 2, 6, and 12. Results From September 2018 to July 2019, 213 patients were screened, of whom 200 were randomized. There was no statistically significant difference in the duration of nerve alerts between the automated nerve-monitored and control groups (median [25th, 75th interquartile range]: 1 [0, 18] and 5 [0, 26.5]; Hodges–Lehman difference [95% CI]: 0 [0 to 1] min; P = 0.526). There were no statistically significant differences in secondary outcomes between groups. However, in the ancillary analysis, there were reductions in neurologic deficits and improvements in quality of life index occurring in both groups over the course of the study period. Conclusions Protection from nerve injury is a shared responsibility between surgeons and anesthesiologists. Although a progressive improvement of clinical outcomes were observed over the course of the study in both groups as a consequence of the real-time feedback provided by the automated nerve monitor, this trial did not demonstrate that automated nerve monitoring by itself changes important clinical outcomes compared with no monitoring. Editor’s Perspective What We Already Know about This Topic What This Article Teaches Us That Is New


2021 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
V Posai ◽  
◽  
R Boonchoo ◽  
D Watradul ◽  
K Makkabphalanon ◽  
...  

Objectives To study the level of mental health literacy and quality of life among patients with stroke and to investigate the relationship between mental health literacy and quality of life. Methods A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with 150 purposively selected stroke patients at Sanpasithiprasong Hospital, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand. Data were collected from October 2019 to March 2020. The research tool consisted of 3 parts: general and clinical data, a mental health literacy questionnaire, and the Thai version of the stroke-specific quality of life scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. Results The mean age of participants was 51.80 years (SD 8.62); most were female (65.33%). The level of mental health literacy among patients with stroke was moderate (mean = 3.05, SD = 0.21). The quality of life among patients with stroke was moderate (mean = 3.06, SD = 0.66). The mental health literacy questionnaire yielded a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.92, and the Thai version of the stroke-specific quality of life scale yielded a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.96. Mental health literacy was statistically significantly associated with quality of life among patients with stroke (r = 0.484, p < .001). Conclusions The mental health literacy among patients with stroke was moderate as was their quality of life. Mental health literacy was significantly associated with quality of life among patients with stroke. This suggests that emphasizing and promoting mental health literacy among patients with stroke can improve and increase their quality of life. Chiang Mai Medical Journal 2021;60(1):63-74. doi 10.12982/CMUMEDJ.2021.06


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document