BackgroundMusculoskeletal (MSK) pain is the primary contributor to disability worldwide. There is a growing consensus that MSK pain is a recurrent multifactorial condition underpinned by health and lifestyle factors. Studies suggest that education on work-related pain and individualised advice could be essential and effective for managing persistent MSK pain.ObjectiveThe objective of this scoping review was to map the existing educational resources for work-related MSK (WRMSK) pain, and the effects of implementing educational strategies in the workplace on managing WRMSK pain.MethodsThis scoping review assessed original studies that implemented and assessed education as a strategy to manage WMSK pain. Literature search strategies were developed using thesaurus headings (ie, MeSH and CINAHL headings) and free-text search including words related to MSK in an occupational setting. The search was carried out in PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Library and Web of Science in the period 12–14 February 2019.ResultsA total of 19 peer-reviewed articles were included and the study design, aim and outcomes were summarised. Of the 19 peer-reviewed articles, 10 randomised controlled trial (RCT) studies assessed the influence of education on work-related MSK pain. Many studies provided a limited description of the education material and assessed/used different methods of delivery. A majority of studies concluded education positively influences work-related MSK pain. Further, some studies reported additive effects of physical activity or ergonomic adjustments.ConclusionsThere is a gap in knowledge regarding the best content and delivery of education of material in the workplace. Although beneficial outcomes were reported, more RCT studies are required to determine the effects of education material as compared with other interventions, such as exercise or behavioural therapy.

ObjectivesTo compare the effectiveness of dry needling (DN) versus percutaneous needle electrolysis (PNE) for improving the level of pain, function and quality of life (QoL) of patients suffering from plantar heel pain (PHP) provoked by myofascial trigger points.DesignA prospective, parallel-group, randomised controlled trial with blinded outcome assessment.SettingA single treatment facility in the State of Kuwait.Participants118 participants were screened for eligibility. Of these, 102 participants were enrolled (30 men (49.5±8.9 years) and 72 women (48.1±8.8 years)) and 68 of them completed the trial.InterventionsTwo parallel groups, one study arm received DN and a stretching protocol whereas the other arm received percutaneous needling electrolysis with a stretching protocol.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe primary outcome measure was the Foot Pain domain of the Foot Health Status Questionnaire, with 13 questions related to foot health-related domains. Secondary outcome measures included the 0–10 numerical rating scale pain visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, performed before and after each treatment session. In addition, QoL was measured using the EuroQoL-5 dimensions. All measurements were taken at baseline, at 4, 8, 12, 26 and 52 weeks.ResultsFoot Pain domain improved at all time points for DN group (p<0.001; 29.7 (17.8 to 41.5)) and percutaneous needling electrolysis group (p<0.001; 32.7 (18.3 to 47.0)), without significant differences between groups. Pain VAS scores decreased at all time points for both DN (p<0.001; −2.6 (−4.0 to −1.2)) and percutaneous needling electrolysis group (p<0.001; −3.0 (−4.5 to −1.6)). QoL improved at 4 weeks for both DN (p<0.01; 0.15 (0.5 to 0.25)) and percutaneous needling electrolysis group (p<0.01; 0.09 (0.01 to 0.17)) and at 8 and 52 weeks for the PNE group (p<0.01; 0.10 (0.02 to 0.18)), with significant differences between groups for the QoL at 52 weeks (p<0.05; 0.10 (0.01 to 0.18)). There were two small haematomas in the PNE group and one in the DN group. No serious adverse events were reported.ConclusionsBoth PNE and DN were effective for PHP management, reducing mean and maximum pain since the first treatment session, with long lasting effects (52 weeks) and significant differences between groups in the case of QoL at 52 weeks in favour of the PNE group.Trial registration numberNCT03236779.

Objectives: To investigate the pain-sensory profile of patients with whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) prior and post 2-weeks of standardized rehabilitation and after at 6months follow-up.Methods: Twenty-two WAD-participants (Grade-II; 14 women) and 22 sex-and agematched healthy controls were enrolled. Pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) were assessed at local and distal muscles. Conditioned pain modulation (CPM) of PPTs was assessed using cuff-pressure around the upper-arm. Referred area of pain following suprathreshold pressure stimulation of the infraspinatus muscle was recorded on a body chart.Psychometric variables (Pain intensity, area of perceived pain, pain catastrophizing, kinesiophobia, sleep problems, depression level) were assessed. WAD-group additionally completed the Neck Disability Index (NDI). Results:The WAD-group demonstrated lower local PPTs compared to controls at all timepoints (P<0.05) and lower distal PPTs at baseline and at 2 weeks when compared to 6-months (within-group) (P<0.05). The WAD-group had a reduced CPM response and larger induced referred pain areas compared to controls (P<0.05), while no within-group changes were observed at any time point. The WAD-group reported higher pain intensity and perceived area of pain compared to controls at all timepoints (P<0.05) and a mean NDI-score of 41% at baseline, 16% at 2-weeks, and 4% at 6-months.Furthermore, the WAD-group reported improvements in all other psychometric variables (P<0.05), although only pain catastrophizing levels were comparable to controls at 2-weeks. Discussion: PPTs but not CPM improved in the WAD-group and were comparable to controls following 2-weeks following standardized rehabilitation, indicating that normalization of CPM may not be required to recover from WAD.

ObjectiveThis study aims to define appropriate domains and items for the development of a self-administered questionnaire to assess the risk of developing work-related musculoskeletal disorder (WMSD) and the risk of its progression to chronicity.DesignLiterature review and survey study.Setting and participantsA literature review and a two-round interview with 15 experts in musculoskeletal pain were performed to identify the available domains for WMSD assessment.Interventions and outcomeTo ensure quality, only validated questionnaires were included for the Delphi process. A three-round Delphi method, with three round steps, was used to select the most pertinent and relevant domains and items.ResultsNine questionnaires were identified through the expert discussion and literature review, comprising 38 candidate domains and 504 items. In the first round of the Delphi group, 17 domains reached more than 70% agreement and were selected. In the second round, 10 domains were rejected, while 11 were selected to complete the pool of domains. In the third and final round, 89 items belonging to 28 domains were defined as significant to develop a WMSDs risk assessment questionnaire.ConclusionsNo specific risk assessment questionnaires for WMSDs were identified from the literature. WMSD risk of presence and chronicity can be defined by an assessment tool based on the biopsychosocial model and the fear-avoidance components of chronic pain. The present study provides the formulation and operationalisation of the constructs in domains and items needed for developing and validating the questionnaire.

Plantar heel pain is a common cause of foot pain that affects patients’ quality of life and represents a significant cost for the healthcare system. Dry needling and percutaneous needle electrolysis are two minimally invasive treatments that were shown to be effective for the management of plantar heel pain. The aim of our study was to compare these two treatments in terms of health and economic consequences based on the results of a published randomized controlled trial. For this, we evaluated the costs from the point of view of the hospital and we carried out a cost-effectiveness study using quality of life as the main variable according to the Eq-5D-5L questionnaire. The cost of the complete treatment with dry needling (DN) was €178.86, while the percutaneous needle electrolysis (PNE) was €200.90. The quality of life of patients improved and was translated into +0.615 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) for DN and +0.669 for PNE. PNE presented an average incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of €411.34/QALY against DN. These results indicate that PNE had a better cost-effectiveness ratio for the treatment of plantar heel pain than DN.