Retaining the patient perspective in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Core Set for low back pain

Cecilie Røe1,2, Unni Sveen1, Erik Bautz-Holter1,21Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ulleval University Hospital, Oslo, Norway; 2Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, NorwayObjective: To examine the relationship between health problems as rated by the health professionals in the Norwegian form of the Core Set for low back pain and the patients’ self-reported health problems in Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule II (WHODAS II).Methods: This was part of an international multicenter study where a convenience sample of 118 Norwegian patients with low back pain (LBP) participated. The ICF Core Set for LBP was filled in by the health professionals. The patients reported their health problems in the WHODAS II and ODI. The items in WHODAS II and ODI were linked to the ICF. The problems reported in WHODAS II and ODI were compared to the problems scored by the health professionals in the linked ICF categories in the Comprehensive ICF Core Set for LBP.Results: All items in ODI could be linked the ICF. Four items in WHODAS II could not be linked to the ICF and additionally two items could not be linked to specific ICF categories. All ICF categories linked to the ODI were included in the Comprehensive Core Set for LBP, whereas six items in WHODAS II could not be linked, and additionally 11 of the items were not represented in the Core Set. With the exception of sexual function, above three quarter of the patients’ reported problems within body functions was captured by the health professionals. Within several of the activities and participation categories the health professionals scores in the ICF reflected the patients’ reported problems well. Surprisingly some of the problems in activities of daily living were poorly reflected.Conclusion: The Comprehensive ICF Core Set for LBP covers most of the items in ODI and WHODAS II in areas where patients report significant problems, with some exceptions. The subjective dimension related to the impact of the health condition as well as the feeling of being a burden to their family appeared to be important to these patients and not covered in the ICF. Problems with sexual functions and relationship were poorly reflected in the health professionals’ scores in the Comprehensive ICF Core Set for LBP. In clinical practice it is a challenge to assess the individual patients’ broad spectrum of problems precisely.Keywords: low back pain, WHODAS II, ICF, musculoskeletal disorder

Measurement properties of the high-level mobility assessment tool for mild traumatic brain injury

Background. The High-Level Mobility Assessment Tool (HiMAT) was developed to quantify balance and mobility problems after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Measurement properties of the HiMAT have not been tested in the mild TBI (MTBI) population. Objective. The aim of this study was to examine the reliability, validity, and responsiveness of the HiMAT in a sample of the MTBI population. Design. A cohort, pretest-posttest, comparison study was conducted. Methods. Ninety-two patients (69% men, 31% women) with a mean age of 37.1 years (SD 13.8) and a mean Glasgow Coma Scale score of 14.7 (SD 0.7) were recruited from Oslo University Hospital. All patients were tested with the HiMAT (range of scores 0 [worst] to 54 [best]) at 3 months postinjury. Fifty-one patients were retested at 6 months. A subgroup of 25 patients was selected for the reliability testing. Balance function reported on the Rivermead Post Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire was chosen as a criterion and anchor. Criterion-related validity was studied with correlation analysis. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were used for assessing interrater and intrarater reliability. Minimal detectable change (MDC) for the HiMAT was estimated. Responsiveness was assessed with receiver operating characteristic curve analyses. Results. The mean HiMAT sum score was 46.2 (95% confidence interval 44.4 to 48.1). The HiMAT had a ceiling effect of 22.8%. The correlation between HiMAT scores and self-reported balance problems was large (r .63, P .001). Interrater and intrarater reliability of the HiMAT sum score was high (interrater ICC .99, intrarater ICC .95). The MDC was 3 to 4 points. Responsiveness was good, and the HiMAT discriminated well between patients with self-perceived improved balance function versus unchanged balance function (area under the curve 0.86). Limitations. The small sample size, a ceiling effect, and lack of a gold standard were limitations of the study. Conclusions. The HiMAT demonstrated satisfactory measurement properties for patients with MTBI. The HiMAT can be used as an outcome measure of balance and mobility problems in patients with MTB

Mortality and one-year functional outcome in elderly and very old patients with severe traumatic brain injuries: observed and predicted

Published version. Source at http://doi.org/10.1155/2015/845491.The aim of the present study was to evaluate mortality and functional outcome in old and very old patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) and compare to the predicted outcome according to the internet based CRASH (Corticosteroid Randomization After Significant Head injury) model based prediction, from the Medical Research Council (MRC). Methods. Prospective, national multicenter study including patients with severe TBI ≥65 years. Predicted mortality and outcome were calculated based on clinical information (CRASH basic) (age, GCS score, and pupil reactivity to light), as well as with additional CT findings (CRASH CT). Observed 14-day mortality and favorable/unfavorable outcome according to the Glasgow Outcome Scale at one year was compared to the predicted outcome according to the CRASH models. Results. 97 patients, mean age 75 (SD 7) years, 64% men, were included. Two patients were lost to follow-up; 48 died within 14 days. The predicted versus the observed odds ratio (OR) for mortality was 2.65. Unfavorable outcome (GOSE < 5) was observed at one year follow-up in 72% of patients. The CRASH models predicted unfavorable outcome in all patients. Conclusion. The CRASH model overestimated mortality and unfavorable outcome in old and very old Norwegian patients with severe TBI

Demand, Control and Support at Work Among Sick-Listed Patients with Neck or Back Pain: A Prospective Study

Purpose The main aim of this study was to assess changes in perceived demand, control and support at work of neck and back pain patients over 1 year. We also hypothesised that perceived changes in demand, control and support at work were associated with clinical improvement, reduced fear-avoidance beliefs and successful return to work. Methods Four hundred and five sick-listed patients referred to secondary care with neck or back pain were originally included in an interventional study. Of these, two hundred and twenty-six patients reported perceived psychosocial work factors at both baseline and 1-year follow-up, and they were later included in this prospective study. Changes in demand, control and support dimensions were measured by a total of nine variables. Results At the group level, no significant differences were found among the measured subscales. At the individual level, the regression analyses showed that decreases in fear-avoidance beliefs about work were consistently related to decreases in demand and increases in control, whereas decreases in disability, anxiety and depression were related to increases in support subscales. Conclusions The perception of demand, control and support appear to be stable over 1 year in patients with neck and back pain, despite marked improvement in pain and disability. Disability, anxiety, depression and fear-avoidance beliefs about work were significantly associated with the perception of the work environment, whereas neck and back pain were not. The published version is available at link.springer.co

Change in pain, disability and influence of fear-avoidance in a work-focused intervention on neck and back pain: a randomized controlled trial

Background Neck and back pain are among the most common causes of prolonged disability, and development of interventions with effect on pain, disability and return to work is important. Reduction of fear avoidance might be one mechanism behind improvement after interventions. The aim of the present study was to evaluate changes in pain and disability at the 12-month follow-up of patients with neck and back pain treated with a work-focused intervention compared to patients treated with standard interventions, and the influence of improvement fear avoidance beliefs during the interventions on pain, disability and return to work at 12-month follow-up. Methods 413 employed patients with back or neck pain referred to secondary care, and sick-listed between 4 weeks and 12 months, were randomized to a work-focused rehabilitation or control interventions. Follow-up was conducted 4 and 12 months after inclusion. The groups were compared (independent sample t-test) regarding differences in disability scores (Oswestry disability index/neck disability index) and pain (numeric rating scale) from baseline to 12-month follow-up. Changes in fear avoidance beliefs (FABQ) from baseline to 4 month follow-up were calculated, and the association between this change and return to work, pain and disability at 12 months were tested in stepwise multiple logistic regression models. Results Pain and, disability scores decreased to in both the work-focused and control intervention to 12-month follow-up, and there were no significant differences between the groups. FABQ decreased similarly in both groups to 4 month follow-up. The logistic regression model revealed an association between a reduced FABQ work score at 4 months and return to work within one year (adjusted OR 3.60, 95% CI 1.19 to 10.88). Reduced FABQ physical activity score at 4 months was associated with decreased disability after 12 months (adjusted OR (3.65. 95% CI 1.43 to 9.28). Conclusions Short work-focused rehabilitation had the same effect on pain and disability as control interventions. Reduction in FABQ-W score after treatment seems to be an important predictor for return to work in both groups

Factors associated with met and unmet rehabilitation needs after stroke: A multicentre cohort study in Denmark and Norway

Objectives: To examine patient-reported needs for care and rehabilitation in a cohort following different subacute pathways of rehabilitation, and to explore factors underpinning met and unmet needs. Design: Observational multicentre cohort study. Patients and methods: A total of 318 Norwegian and 155 Danish patients with first-ever stroke were included. Participants answered questions from the Norwegian Stroke Registry about perceived met, unmet or lack of need for help and training during the first 3 months post stroke. The term “training” in this context was used for all rehabilitative therapy offered by physiotherapists, occupational or speech therapists. The term “help” was used for care and support in daily activities provided by nurses or health assistants. Results: Need for training: 15% reported unmet need, 52% reported met need, and 33% reported no need. Need for help: 10% reported unmet need, 58% reported met, and 31% reported no need. Participants from both Norway and Denmark had similar patterns of unmet/met need for help or training. Unmet need for training was associated with lower functioning, (odds ratio (OR) = 0.32, p  Conclusion: Similar levels of met and unmet needs for training and help at 3 months after stroke were reported despite differences in the organization of the rehabilitation services. Functioning and psychological factors were associated with unmet rehabilitation needs

Health-related Quality of Life 12 months after severe traumatic brain injury: A prospective nationwide cohort study

OBJECTIVE: To assess health-related quality of life in individuals with severe traumatic brain injury at 12 months post-injury, applying the Quality of Life after Brain Injury (QOLIBRI) instrument, and to study the relationship between injury-related factors, post-injury functioning and health-related quality of life. Design/subjects: The study is part of a prospective, Norwegian multicentre study of adults (≥ 16 years old) with severe traumatic brain injury, as defined by a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 3–8 during the first 24 h post-injury. A total of 126 patients were included. METHODS: Socio-demographic data and injury severity variables were collected. Functioning at 3 and 12 months was assessed with the Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended (GOSE), the Functional Independence Measure (FIM), the Rivermead Post-concussion Questionnaire (RPQ), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Hierarchical regression analysis was applied. RESULTS: Mean QOLIBRI score was 68.5 (standard deviation = 18.8). Predictors of the QOLIBRI in the final regression model were: employment status (p = 0.05), GOSE (p = 0.05), RPQ (p < 0.001) and HADS (p < 0.001). The adjusted R2 showed that the model explained 64.0% of the variance in the QOLIBRI score. CONCLUSION: Symptom pressure and global functioning in the sub-acute phase of traumatic brain injury and psychological distress in the post-acute phase are important for health-related quality of life at 12 months post-injury. These domains should be the focus in rehabilitation aiming to improve health-related quality of life in patients with severe traumatic brain injury

Randomized Controlled Trials of Rehabilitation Services in the Post-acute Phase of Moderate and Severe Traumatic Brain Injury - A Systematic Review

Background and aims: There is a gap in knowledge regarding effective rehabilitation service delivery in the post-acute phase after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Recently, Gutenbrunner et al. proposed a classification system for health-related rehabilitation services (International Classification System for Service Organization in Health-related Rehabilitation, ICSO-R) that could be useful for contrasting and comparing rehabilitation services. The ICSO-R describes the dimensions of Provision (i.e., context of delivered services), Funding (i.e., sources of income and refunding), and Delivery (i.e., mode, structure and intensity) at the meso-level of services.We aim to:Provide an overview of randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) with rehabilitation service relevance provided to patients with moderate and severe TBI in the post-acute phase using the ICSO-R as a framework; andEvaluate the extent to which the provision, funding and delivery dimensions of rehabilitation services were addressed and differed between the intervention arms in these studies.Materials and methods: A systematic literature search was performed in OVID MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINHAL, PsychINFO, and CENTRAL, including multidisciplinary rehabilitation interventions with RCT designs and service relevance targeting moderate and severe TBI in the post-acute phase.Results: 23 studies with 4,644 TBI patients were included. More than two-thirds of the studies were conducted in a hospital-based rehabilitation setting. The contrast in Context between the intervention arms often co-varied with Resources. The funding of the services was explicitly described in only one study. Aspects of the Delivery dimension were described in all of the studies, and the Mode of Production, Intensity, Aspects of Time and Peer Support were contrasted in the intervention arms in several of the studies. A wide variety of outcome measures were applied often covering Body function, as well as the Activities and Participation domains of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF).Conclusion: Aspects of service organization and resources as well as delivery may clearly influence outcome of rehabilitation. Presently, lack of uniformity of data and collection methods, the heterogeneity of structures and processes of rehabilitation services, and a lack of common outcome measurements make comparisons between the studies difficult. Standardized descriptions of services by ICSO-R, offer the possibility to improve comparability in the future and thus enhance the relevance of rehabilitation studies.</div

Neuropsychological functioning in a national cohort of severe traumatic brain injury: demographic and acute injury-related predictors

Objectives: To determine the rates of cognitive impairment 1 year after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) and to examine the influence of demographic, injury severity, rehabilitation, and subacute functional outcomes on cognitive outcomes 1 year after severe TBI. Setting: National multicenter cohort study over 2 years. Participants: Patients (N = 105), aged 16 years or older, with Glasgow Coma Scale score of 3 to 8 and Galveston Orientation and Amnesia Test score of more than 75. Main Measures : Neuropsychological tests representing cognitive domains of Executive Functions, Processing Speed, and Memory. Injury severity included Rotterdam computed tomography score, Glasgow Coma Scale score, and posttraumatic amnesia (PTA) duration, together with length of rehabilitation and Glasgow Outcome Scale&ndash;Extended score. Results: In total, 67% of patients with severe TBI had cognitive impairment. Executive Functions, Processing Speed, and Memory were impaired in 41%, 58%, and 57% of patients, respectively. Using multiple regression analysis, Processing Speed was significantly related to PTA duration, Glasgow Outcome Scale&ndash;Extended score, and length of inpatient rehabilitation (R 2 = 0.30); Memory was significantly related to Glasgow Outcome Scale&ndash;Extended score (R 2 = 0.15); and Executive Functions to PTA duration (R 2 = 0.10). Rotterdam computed tomography and Glasgow Coma Scale scores were not associated with cognitive functioning at 1 year postinjury. Conclusion: Findings highlight cognitive consequences of severe TBI, with nearly two-thirds of patients showing cognitive impairments in at least 1 of 3 cognitive domains. Regarding injury severity predictors, only PTA duration was related to cognitive functioning.acceptedVersio