Telehealth for the Initial Evaluation of Musculoskeletal Disorders: Qualitative Study of Patients, Health Care Providers, and Key Stakeholders in the Province of Quebec in Canada.

Background: Access to care for patients with musculoskeletal disorders (MSKDs) remains a significant challenge. Telehealth has emerged as a promising solution to improve access to care. However, conducting initial evaluations of MSKDs remotely raises concerns about patient safety and clinical efficacy due to the necessary adaptations required for a clinical examination and the challenges of obtaining an accurate and reliable diagnosis.

Impact of different acute low back pain definitions on the predictors and on the risk of transition to chronic low back pain: a prospective longitudinal cohort study.

Inconsistencies in the identification of predictors for the transition from acute low back pain (aLBP) to chronic LBP (cLBP) may be attributed to the varying definitions of aLBP used in different studies. We investigated how adopting different aLBP definitions affects the set of predictors and the risk of transition to cLBP (LBP > 3 months that caused a problem for at least half the days in the past 6 months). We leveraged data from the ongoing prospective Quebec Low Back Pain Study to compose 3 aLBP groups at baseline: nonchronic (individuals not meeting the cLBP criteria, n = 788), acute (LBP < 3 months, n = 230), and new episode (LBP < 3 months preceded by ≥3 pain-free months, n = 182).

Trajectories of Physical Disabilities Over 6 Months in Patients With Long COVID.

Importance: Understanding the long-term impact of long COVID on physical function and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is essential to guide clinical care and rehabilitation.

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare physical capacity over time among adults in 3 groups: those without COVID-19 (control group [CG]), those who recovered from COVID without persistent symptoms (short COVID group [SCG]), and those with long COVID (long COVID group [LCG]). A secondary objective was to identify baseline predictors of 6-month HRQoL in the LCG.

Arm supports for the prevention of work-related upper extremity disorders: A narrative review.

Background: Work-related upper extremity disorders are often exacerbated by repetitive tasks and sustained non-neutral positions. These disorders significantly impact workers' quality of life, leading to absenteeism, decreased productivity, and economic burden.

Purpose: This narrative review aims to summarize the characteristics and effectiveness of arm support technologies to prevent work-related upper extremity disorders.

Proprioceptive Exercises Combined With Strengthening Exercises Are Not Superior to Strengthening Exercises Alone for Shoulder Pain and Disability in Individuals With Chronic Rotator Cuff-Related Shoulder Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

To compare the effect of combining proprioceptive exercises with strengthening exercises versus strengthening exercises alone, on shoulder pain and disability in individuals with chronic rotator cuff-related shoulder pain (RCRSP). Parallel group randomized controlled trial. : Seventy individuals with chronic RCRSP were randomly assigned to either the control group (n = 35; muscle strengthening exercises) or the experimental group (n = 35; muscle strengthening combined with proprioceptive exercises) for a 2-month program of supervised and home-based exercises.

Cognitive and psychological functioning in individuals with long COVID: a comparative cross-sectional study.

Purpose: Although several studies have examined cognitive and psychological functioning in long COVID, few have included appropriate comparison groups and utilized both subjective and objective measures. First, this study compared objective cognitive performance and self-reported cognitive and psychological symptoms across individuals with long COVID, those recovered without persistent symptoms, and a Control Group with no history of COVID-19 infection. Second, the relationship between sociodemographic and disease characteristics and cognitive and psychological outcomes was explored in the Long COVID Group (LCG).

Could a feedback device help manage work-related shoulder disorders?: protocol of a mixed methods pilot study.

Background: Work-related shoulder disorders (WRSDs) significantly impact workers' health and well-being. Various factors contribute to WRSDs, including work environment, physical workload, psychological stressors, and an aging workforce. Despite numerous interventions proposed to address WRSDs, finding high-quality evidence to support any of them remains challenging.

Implementing a 3D dynamic arm support within the workplace of medical laboratory technicians: A nonrandomized feasibility trial.

Background: A three-dimensional dynamic arm support (3D-DAS) was designed in response to medical laboratory technicians' need for solutions to reduce the physical demands on the upper extremities during biomedical manipulations.

Purpose: To assess the feasibility of implementing the 3D-DAS in medical laboratory technicians' workplaces, evaluate the potential for conducting a larger randomized controlled trial, and explore the effects of the 3D-DAS on clinical outcomes.

Study Design: Nonrandomized feasibility study.

Extended reality in the management of upper limb musculoskeletal conditions: A scoping review.

Background: Extended reality (XR) is increasingly used in the management of upper limb musculoskeletal conditions.

Purpose: To systematically map reported interventions using XR, explore their effects, and identify gaps in knowledge.

Study Design: Scoping review.

The impact of long COVID on physical and cardiorespiratory parameters: A systematic review.

Background: Since the emergence of COVID-19, millions worldwide have continued to experience persistent symptoms months after infection. Among these, physical and cardiorespiratory impairments are frequently reported, but remain poorly understood. This systematic review aimed to identify and synthesize evidence regarding physical and cardiorespiratory impairments in individuals with long COVID, defined as symptoms persisting for at least three months post-infection.

Do Psychological Factors Explain the Persistence of Symptoms in Individuals With Rotator Cuff-related Shoulder Pain? A Prospective Cohort Study.

Objective: To determine whether psychosocial factors, such as resilience, perceived stress, catastrophizing, anxiety, depression, pain self-efficacy, and social support, explain the persistence of pain and disability in individuals with rotator cuff-related shoulder pain (RCRSP) following an education program.

Methods: One hundred forty-three individuals with persistent RCRSP were included in this prospective cohort study. At baseline, participants completed self-reported questionnaires related to pain, disability, and psychosocial constructs, including resilience, stress, catastrophizing, anxiety and depressive symptoms, pain self-efficacy, and social support.

Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy Diagnosis, Nonsurgical Medical Care, and Rehabilitation: A Clinical Practice Guideline.

This evidence-based clinical practice guideline (CPG) aims to guide clinicians with recommendations covering the assessment, treatment, and prognosis of adults with shoulder pain with suspected rotator cuff (RC) tendinopathy, the nonsurgical medical care and rehabilitation of adults with RC tendinopathy, as well as the return to function and sport for elite and recreational athletes. This CPG includes recommendations for managing RC tendinopathy with or without calcifications and partial-thickness RC tears. .

Is Group-Based Physiotherapy a Cost-Effective Intervention Compared to Usual One-on-One Physiotherapy Care in the Management of Musculoskeletal Disorders in Active Military Personnel? An Economic Evaluation Alongside a Pragmatic Randomized Clinical Trial.

To conduct a cost-utility analysis of a group physiotherapy intervention, compared to usual care, for musculoskeletal disorders in Canadian military personnel. Economic evaluation alongside a pragmatic randomized clinical trial. One hundred and twenty military members presenting with shoulder, knee, ankle, or low back pain were randomized to receive either usual one-on-one physiotherapy care or a group intervention.

Self-reported questionnaires assessing body perception disturbances in adults with chronic non-cancer pain: a scoping review.

Introduction: Body perception disturbances (BPD) are well documented in certain chronic pain populations [e.g., complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)], while being far less studied in chronic pain as a general condition.

Factors Explaining the Severity of Acute Achilles Tendinopathy Among Runners: A Comprehensive Cross-Sectional Analysis.

Background: Achilles tendinopathy (AT) is a prevalent musculoskeletal injury among runners, accounting for approximately 10% of all running-related injuries. AT can result in persistent symptoms and impact the quality of life of runners. The Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment questionnaire (VISA-A) is a widely used self-reported tool for assessing severity of AT.

Assessing Shoulder Proprioceptive Sense of Force: Hand-Held Dynamometer Reliability and Comparison with Isokinetic Protocols.

Background: Proprioception is crucial for shoulder stability, yet clinical methods for assessing all aspects, particularly the sense of force (SOF) -the ability to perceive, interpret, and reproduce force at a joint-are limited. The purpose of this study was to test a new SOF protocol with a handheld dynamometer (HHD) and examine its agreement with an isokinetic dynamometer (IKD), as well as its reliability and the effect of contraction intensity.

Design: Cross-sectional measurement study.

Subgrouping People With Acute Low Back Pain Based on Psychological, Sensory, and Motor Characteristics: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Clustering helps identify patient subgroups with similar biopsychosocial profiles in acute low-back pain (LBP). Motor factors are common treatment targets and are associated with disability but have not been included in acute LBP cluster development. This study aimed to identify subgroups of individuals with acute LBP based on motor, sensory and psychological characteristics and to compare these subgroups regarding clinical outcomes.

Physical impairments in individuals with Long COVID.

Objective: The primary objective was to compare the physical capacities of individuals with Long COVID [Long COVID group (LCG)] to those who had COVID-19 but did not develop persistent symptoms [short COVID group (SCG)], and to individuals without a history of COVID-19 [control group (CG)]. The secondary objectives were to provide a comprehensive profile of sociodemographic and COVID-19 history of individuals with Long COVID, considering factors such as sex, gender, hospitalization, time since onset, and comorbidities, and b) identify self-reported and objective clinical measures explaining health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in individuals with Long COVID.

Methods: A total of 120 adults were included in each of the groups.

Influence of Sudden Changes in Foot Strikes on Loading Rate Variability in Runners.

Foot strike patterns influence vertical loading rates during running. Running retraining interventions often include switching to a new foot strike pattern. Sudden changes in the foot strike pattern may be uncomfortable and may lead to higher step-to-step variability.

Do biopsychosocial factors predict the level of physical activity in individuals with persistent shoulder pain?

Objective: The objective of this cross-sectional study was to compare the physical activity level between individuals with and without rotator cuff related shoulder pain (RCRSP), and, in individuals with RCRSP, investigate whether biopsychosocial factors are associated with the physical activity level.

Methods: Seventy-four participants with and 84 participants without RCRSP wore a fitness tracking watch for seven consecutive days to assess physical activity (step count, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA)-minutes). Additionally, participants with RCRSP completed questionnaires on their level of pain, disability, and physical activity (short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire [IPAQ]), as well as on biopsychosocial factors, including resilience, stress, catastrophizing, anxiety and depressive symptoms, self-efficacy, and social support.

Theory-Informed Development of a Multicomponent Intervention to Implement Clinical Practice Guideline Recommendations in the Management of Shoulder Pain.

Objective: Suboptimal primary health care management of shoulder pain has been reported in previous studies. Implementing clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) recommendations using a theoretical approach is recommended to improve shoulder pain management. This study aims to identify determinants of implementing recommendations from shoulder CPGs to help develop an intervention based on the identified determinants.

Do patients' preferences and expectations match clinical guidelines? A survey of individuals seeking private primary care for a musculoskeletal disorder.

Background: Physiotherapists often inconsistently adhere to clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) when managing musculoskeletal disorders (MSKDs), potentially due to discrepancies between patient-valued interventions and guideline recommendations. Since patients' expectations are important predictors of outcome, this disparity between CPGs recommendations and patient preferences could be problematic for the effective care of MSKDs.

Objectives: To assess patients' expectations and preferences for the interventions used in their MSKD management and to establish correspondence rates between patients' preferences and recommendations from CPGs.

Neck or Shoulder? Establishing Consensus for Spine Screening in Patients With Shoulder Pain: An International Modified Delphi Study.

Objective: There is no established consensus for screening the spine in patients with shoulder pain. The aim of this study was to explore the role of the spine in shoulder pain and generate a set of recommendations for assessing the potential involvement of the spine in patients with shoulder pain.

Methods: A modified Delphi study was conducted through use of an international shoulder physical therapist's expert panel.

Workplace Injury Prevention and Wellness Program for Orchestra Musicians: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

To evaluate the effect of a workplace injury prevention and wellness program compared to no intervention (control) on musicians' playing-related musculoskeletal pain intensity. The hypothesis was that musicians who completed the program would have a greater reduction in pain intensity than the control group. Pragmatic parallel randomized controlled trial.