THE INFLUENCE OF MOOD DURING TREADMILL RUNNING ON BIOMECHANICAL ASYMMETRY OF THE LOWER-LIMB

This study aimed to investigate if mood effects lower-limb biomechanical asymmetry during running. Twenty runners (13M, 7F; age 22-58 years), performed four 3-minute runs at their 5km pace (3.3 ± 0.3 m/s), preceded by a mood questionnaire. Baseline data were captured, followed by randomised mood conditions: anger, happiness, and sadness; elicited with film clips and music. Symmetry angles used for analysis. In the sadness condition, compared with baseline, biomechanical asymmetry significantly increased (p \u3c .05) by 3.7% at ground contact for hip abduction, and at toe-off for knee abduction by 0.6% and internal rotation by 1.1%. Toe-off plantarflexion asymmetry decreased by 2.2% with anger, compared to baseline. Happiness did not appear to affect asymmetry. Results suggest sadness may increase asymmetry and associated overuse injury risk, and anger may facilitate symmetry

The Impact of Female Chronic Pelvic Pain Questionnaire (IF-CPPQ): a validation study

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the validity, reliability, and factor structure of the Impact of Female Chronic Pelvic Pain Questionnaire (IF-CPPQ).Methods: This was a cross-sectional questionnaire study that was administered online. To be eligible to participate, women had to have experienced chronic pelvic pain (CPP) for a minimum of three months and be at least 18 years of age. A total of 969 women (mean age 35.4y, SD = 12.0) took part. The main outcome measure was the IF-CPPQ. Additional validated measures that assessed related constructs were also administered. Principal axis factor analysis (PAF) was used to assess the factor structure of the IF-CPPQ. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's alpha. Convergent and discriminant validity was assessed using Pearson correlations between factor scores on the IF-CPPQ and measures of related constructs. The consistency and model fit of the resulting factor structure was assessed using confirmatory factor analysis.Results: The final 26-item questionnaire comprised five factors (Psychological Impact, Sexual Impact, Relationship Impact, Occupational Impact, and Emotional Impact). Findings suggested good convergent and discriminant validity and internal consistency.Discussion: The findings indicate that the IF-CPPQ is a reliable and valid measure of the impact of CPP on women. While the IF-CPPQ has the potential for multiple uses within research and clinical practice, further research is needed to determine the questionnaire's ability to detect clinically meaningful changes with treatment.</p

Direct and mediated effects of treatment context on low back pain outcome: a prospective cohort study

Objectives Contextual components of treatment previously associated with patient outcomes include the environment, therapeutic relationship and expectancies. Questions remain about which components are most important, how they influence outcomes and comparative effects across treatment approaches. We aimed to identify significant and strong contextual predictors of patient outcomes, test for psychological mediators and compare effects across three treatment approaches.Design Prospective cohort study with patient-reported and practitioner-reported questionnaire data (online or paper) collected at first consultation, 2 weeks and 3 months.Setting Physiotherapy, osteopathy and acupuncture clinics throughout the UK.Participants 166 practitioners (65 physiotherapists, 46 osteopaths, 55 acupuncturists) were recruited via their professional organisations. Practitioners recruited 960 adult patients seeking treatment for low back pain (LBP).Primary and secondary outcomes The primary outcome was back-related disability. Secondary outcomes were pain and well-being. Contextual components measured were: therapeutic alliance; patient satisfaction with appointment systems, access, facilities; patients’ treatment beliefs including outcome expectancies; practitioners’ attitudes to LBP and practitioners’ patient-specific outcome expectancies. The hypothesised mediators measured were: patient self-efficacy for pain management; patient perceptions of LBP and psychosocial distress.Results After controlling for baseline and potential confounders, statistically significant predictors of reduced back-related disability were: all three dimensions of stronger therapeutic alliance (goal, task and bond); higher patient satisfaction with appointment systems; reduced patient-perceived treatment credibility and increased practitioner-rated outcome expectancies. Therapeutic alliance over task (ηp2=0.10, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.14) and practitioner-rated outcome expectancies (ηp2=0.08, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.11) demonstrated the largest effect sizes. Patients’ self-efficacy, LBP perceptions and psychosocial distress partially mediated these relationships. There were no interactions with treatment approach.Conclusions Enhancing contextual components in musculoskeletal healthcare could improve patient outcomes. Interventions should focus on helping practitioners and patients forge effective therapeutic alliances with strong affective bonds and agreement on treatment goals and how to achieve them