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Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain: Nonpharmacologic, Noninvasive Treatments.

American family physician
January 1, 1970
Diane M Flynn
Journal ArticleReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of massage or myofascial release in improving chronic musculoskeletal pain conditions such as low back pain, hip and knee osteoarthritis, and fibromyalgia.

Results Summary

The study found that massage or myofascial release yields a small improvement in low back pain, hip and knee osteoarthritis, and fibromyalgia. The benefits were modest but consistent across these conditions.

Population

Patients with chronic low back pain, hip and knee osteoarthritis, and fibromyalgia.

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (10)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
various forms of exercise
increase
pain and function
patients with chronic pain
-
support the effectiveness
#1
Cognitive behavior therapy and mindfulness techniques
increase
chronic low back pain
-
small to moderate short- and long-term improvement
appear to be effective
#2
Cognitive behavior therapy
increase
fibromyalgia
-
small short- and intermediate-term improvement
may also be effective
#3
Spinal manipulation
increase
chronic neck and low back pain
-
small
leads to a small benefit
#4
Acupuncture
increase
low back pain
-
small to moderate
has a small to moderate benefit
#5
Acupuncture
increase
nonpain fibromyalgia symptoms
-
small
has a small benefit
#6
Massage or myofascial release
increase
low back pain, hip and knee osteoarthritis, and fibromyalgia
-
small
yields a small improvement
#7
Low reactive level laser therapy
increase
chronic neck and low back pain
-
short-term
may provide short-term relief
#8
ultrasound
increase
knee osteoarthritis
-
short-term
may provide short-term pain relief
#9
Multidisciplinary rehabilitation
increase
pain and function for chronic low back pain and fibromyalgia
-
short- and at least intermediate-term improvement
may be effective
#10
Abstract

Chronic low back pain, neck pain, hip and knee osteoarthritis, and fibromyalgia are the most common types of chronic musculoskeletal pain. Because no individual therapy has consistent benefit, a multimodal treatment approach to chronic musculoskeletal pain is recommended. Many nonpharmacologic, noninvasive treatment approaches yield small to moderate improvement and can be used with pharmacologic or more invasive modalities. Systematic reviews and guidelines support the effectiveness of various forms of exercise in improving pain and function in patients with chronic pain. Cognitive behavior therapy and mindfulness techniques appear to be effective for small to moderate short- and long-term improvement of chronic low back pain. Cognitive behavior therapy may also be effective for small short- and intermediate-term improvement of fibromyalgia. Spinal manipulation leads to a small benefit for chronic neck and low back pain. Acupuncture has a small to moderate benefit for low back pain and small benefit for nonpain fibromyalgia symptoms. Massage or myofascial release yields a small improvement in low back pain, hip and knee osteoarthritis, and fibromyalgia. Low reactive level laser therapy may provide short-term relief of chronic neck and low back pain, and ultrasound may provide short-term pain relief for knee osteoarthritis. Multidisciplinary rehabilitation may be effective for short- and at least intermediate-term improvement in pain and function for chronic low back pain and fibromyalgia. Patients should be encouraged to engage in a variety of therapies aligned with their preferences and motivation.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Acupuncture TherapyChronic PainCognitive Behavioral TherapyExerciseFibromyalgiaHumansLow Back PainLow-Level Light TherapyManipulation, SpinalMassageMindfulnessMuscle RelaxationMusculoskeletal PainNeck PainOsteoarthritis, HipOsteoarthritis, KneePain ClinicsPatient Education as TopicUltrasonic Therapy
Study Links
PubMed ID33064421
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy60/10
Quality75/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations54
Citations/Year10.8
Relative Citation Ratio4.48
NIH Percentile91.7%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.95
Weight Score1.80
Normalized Score0.59
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