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New Challenges in Health Care Services among Patients with Musculoskeletal...
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New Challenges in Health Care Services among Patients with Musculoskeletal Pain

A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032). This special issue belongs to the section "Nursing".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2025 | Viewed by 9025

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Jesús Seco Calvo

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
Department of Nursing and Physical Therapy, University of León, 24004 León, Spain
Interests: low back pain; neck pain; musculoskeletal pain; physical therapy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Musculoskeletal pain is a prevalent and complex health issue that affects millions of individuals worldwide. With an aging population, increased prevalence of chronic conditions, and changing lifestyles, the demand for healthcare services related to musculoskeletal pain is growing rapidly. To address the evolving challenges in this field, Healthcare is pleased to announce a Special Issue focused on "New Challenges in Health Care Services among Patients with Musculoskeletal Pain".

This Special Issue aims to provide a platform for researchers, clinicians, and healthcare professionals to present their latest findings, innovative approaches, and best practices in the assessment, management, and delivery of healthcare services for patients suffering from musculoskeletal pain. We encourage submissions that cover a wide range of topics related to this field, including but not limited to:

  • Diagnosis and assessment of musculoskeletal pain disorders;
  • Multidisciplinary approaches to musculoskeletal pain management;
  • Telehealth and digital solutions for musculoskeletal pain care;
  • Pain education and self-management programs;
  • Innovative interventions and treatment modalities;
  • Quality of life and psychosocial aspects of musculoskeletal pain;
  • Health disparities in musculoskeletal pain care;
  • Health economics and cost-effectiveness in musculoskeletal pain management;
  • Patient-centered care and shared decision making.

In this Special Issue, we welcome original studies, using qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods, and (all kinds of) reviews.

I look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Jesús Seco Calvo
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Healthcare is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • musculoskeletal pain
  • quality of life
  • patient-centered care
  • health services
  • care

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 1939 KiB  
Article
Patient-Reported Outcomes of Depression and Fibromyalgia Symptoms Do Not Predict Non-Inflammatory versus Inflammatory Diagnoses at Initial Rheumatology Consultation
by Arne Schäfer, Magdolna Szilvia Kovacs, Axel Nigg and Martin Feuchtenberger
Healthcare 2024, 12(19), 1948; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12191948 - 29 Sep 2024
Viewed by 577
Abstract
Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the potential value of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) of depression, fibromyalgia symptoms, and pain in predicting non-inflammatory vs. inflammatory diagnoses in rheumatology patients. Methods: This retrospective, single-center study evaluated electronic health record (EHR) data from [...] Read more.
Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the potential value of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) of depression, fibromyalgia symptoms, and pain in predicting non-inflammatory vs. inflammatory diagnoses in rheumatology patients. Methods: This retrospective, single-center study evaluated electronic health record (EHR) data from adults who were seen for their first rheumatology consultation and subsequently received a diagnosis of an inflammatory (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis or spondyloarthritis) or non-inflammatory (e.g., osteoarthritis or fibromyalgia) condition. The PROs evaluated included depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-2 [PHQ-2]), fibromyalgia symptom severity (FM SS), and pain. Results: A total of 3669 patients were evaluated, including patients with (n = 984; 26.82%) and without (n = 2685; 73.18%) inflammatory rheumatologic disease, of whom 141 (3.8%) had fibromyalgia. The non-inflammatory subgroup reported higher FM SS scores, and the inflammatory subgroup had higher pain and inflammatory markers. Bivariate models based on PHQ-2 and FM SS had a very low specificity (0.3%) for predicting non-inflammatory conditions, resulting in the misclassification of >99% of inflammatory cases. Adding pain, inflammatory markers, and other relevant EHR variables increased specificity but still resulted in a high level of misclassification. Conclusions: The PROs evaluated in this study are not suitable for predicting non-inflammatory vs. inflammatory rheumatologic disease, even when combined with other EHR variables. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Challenges in Health Care Services among Patients with Musculoskeletal Pain)
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12 pages, 1355 KiB  
Article
Comparison of Short-Term Effects of Different Spinal Manipulations in Patients with Chronic Non-Specific Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial
by Jessica García-González, Raúl Romero-del Rey, Virginia Martínez-Martín, Mar Requena-Mullor and Raquel Alarcón-Rodríguez
Healthcare 2024, 12(13), 1348; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12131348 - 5 Jul 2024
Viewed by 2117
Abstract
Spinal manipulations for chronic non-specific neck pain (CNNP) include cervical, cervicothoracic junction, and thoracic spine (CCT) manipulations as well as upper cervical spine (UCS) manipulations. This study aimed to compare the short-term effects of UCS manipulation versus a combination of CCT spine manipulations [...] Read more.
Spinal manipulations for chronic non-specific neck pain (CNNP) include cervical, cervicothoracic junction, and thoracic spine (CCT) manipulations as well as upper cervical spine (UCS) manipulations. This study aimed to compare the short-term effects of UCS manipulation versus a combination of CCT spine manipulations on pain intensity, disability, and cervical range of motion (CROM) in CNNP patients. In a private physiotherapy clinic, 186 participants with CNNP were randomly assigned to either the UCS (n = 93) or CCT (n = 93) manipulation groups. Neck pain, disability, and CROM were measured before and one week after the intervention. No significant differences were found between the groups regarding pain intensity and CROM. However, there was a statistically significant difference in neck disability, with the CCT group showing a slightly greater decrease (CCT: 16.9 ± 3.8 vs. UCS: 19.5 ± 6.8; p = 0.01). The findings suggest that a combination of manipulations in the CCT spine results in a slightly more pronounced decrease in self-perceived disability compared to UCS manipulation in patients with CNNP after one week. However, no statistically significant differences were observed between the groups in terms of pain intensity or CROM. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Challenges in Health Care Services among Patients with Musculoskeletal Pain)
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13 pages, 717 KiB  
Article
Adapting and Evaluating a Theory-Driven, Non-Pharmacological Intervention to Self-Manage Pain
by Jennifer Kawi, Chao Hsing Yeh, Lauren Grant, Johannes Thrul, Hulin Wu, Paul J. Christo and Lorraine S. Evangelista
Healthcare 2024, 12(10), 969; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12100969 - 8 May 2024
Viewed by 1381
Abstract
Background: The existing literature has limited detail on theory-driven interventions, particularly in pain studies. We adapted Bandura’s self-efficacy framework toward a theory-driven, non-pharmacological intervention using auricular point acupressure (APA) and evaluated participants’ perceptions of this intervention on their pain self-management. APA is a [...] Read more.
Background: The existing literature has limited detail on theory-driven interventions, particularly in pain studies. We adapted Bandura’s self-efficacy framework toward a theory-driven, non-pharmacological intervention using auricular point acupressure (APA) and evaluated participants’ perceptions of this intervention on their pain self-management. APA is a non-invasive modality based on auricular acupuncture principles. Methods: We mapped our study intervention components according to Bandura’s key sources of self-efficacy (performance accomplishments, vicarious experience, verbal persuasion, and emotional arousal) to facilitate the self-management of pain. Through a qualitative study design, we conducted virtual interviews at one and three months after a 4-week APA intervention among 23 participants using purposive sampling to describe their experiences in managing their pain based on our theory-driven APA intervention. Results: Using thematic analyses, we found four themes: the enhanced self-management of pain, improved pain outcomes, the feasibility of technology, and the sustainability of APA. Conclusions: Describing how interventions are mapped according to the elements of theoretical frameworks can help to guide intervention development, advance science and knowledge development, and promote the implementation of interventions. As such, using Bandura’s self-efficacy theory as a foundation for the APA intervention, APA was found to be feasible and sustainable, improving self-management, pain intensity, and pain-related outcomes. Participants provided recommendations for the further improvement of this theory-driven intervention. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Challenges in Health Care Services among Patients with Musculoskeletal Pain)
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9 pages, 1504 KiB  
Systematic Review
Efficacy of Therapeutic Exercise in Reducing Pain in Instrumental Musicians: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Cristina Iglesias-Carrasco, María de-la-Casa-Almeida, Carmen Suárez-Serrano, Maria-Luisa Benítez-Lugo and Esther M. Medrano-Sánchez
Healthcare 2024, 12(13), 1340; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12131340 - 5 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1095
Abstract
Playing-related pain poses a significant health concern for musicians, often impacting their ability to perform. Therapeutic exercise emerges as a viable approach to alleviate these symptoms, offering a low-cost intervention with minimal side effects. This review seeks to examine and assess the efficacy [...] Read more.
Playing-related pain poses a significant health concern for musicians, often impacting their ability to perform. Therapeutic exercise emerges as a viable approach to alleviate these symptoms, offering a low-cost intervention with minimal side effects. This review seeks to examine and assess the efficacy of therapeutic exercise in reducing pain intensity among instrumental musicians. Three major databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus) were systematically searched from November 2023 to June 2024. The inclusion criteria required studies to be randomized clinical trials focusing on pain intensity in instrumental musicians, published in the last 10 years. Two independent researchers assessed the characteristics and methodological quality of the selected studies. Out of 305 identified studies, 15 underwent full-text reviews, with 5 ultimately included in the analysis. The total participant count was 273, with an average intervention duration of 32.5 min per session, twice weekly for eight weeks. Overall, therapeutic exercise interventions demonstrated favorable effects, with three studies exhibiting good methodological quality. The meta-analysis revealed significant positive results favoring exercise in reducing pain intensity, with positive responses observed across all clinical populations, so therapeutic exercise appears to be an effective approach for reducing pain intensity in musicians experiencing playing-related pain. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Challenges in Health Care Services among Patients with Musculoskeletal Pain)
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14 pages, 1930 KiB  
Systematic Review
Routine Physical Therapy with and without Neural Mobilization in Chronic Musculoskeletal Neck Disorders with Nerve-Related Symptoms: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by María José López-Pardo, Andrés Calvache-Mateo, Javier Martín-Núñez, Alejandro Heredia-Ciuró, Laura López-López, Marie Carmen Valenza and Irene Cabrera-Martos
Healthcare 2024, 12(12), 1225; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12121225 - 19 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1471
Abstract
No previous study has evaluated the effectiveness of routine physical therapy with and without neural mobilization for patients with chronic musculoskeletal neck disorders and cervical radiculopathy. The objective is to evaluate the effectiveness of routine physical therapy with and without neural mobilization on [...] Read more.
No previous study has evaluated the effectiveness of routine physical therapy with and without neural mobilization for patients with chronic musculoskeletal neck disorders and cervical radiculopathy. The objective is to evaluate the effectiveness of routine physical therapy with and without neural mobilization on pain and mobility in patients with chronic musculoskeletal neck disorders and cervical radiculopathy. A systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials involving the use of neural mobilization techniques for the treatment of chronic musculoskeletal neck disorders and cervical radiculopathy was conducted. Methodological quality was assessed by the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool and PEDro scale. Data were pooled and a meta-analysis was performed using a random effects model with Review Manager 5 software. Seven articles were included in our review. Significant differences were found in mobility but not in pain in favor of using routine physical therapy with neural mobilization for the treatment of chronic musculoskeletal neck disorders and cervical radiculopathy. Our results show that routine physical therapy accompanied by neural mobilization is superior for improving mobility in comparison with routine physical therapy alone in patients with musculoskeletal neck disorders and cervical radiculopathy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Challenges in Health Care Services among Patients with Musculoskeletal Pain)
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31 pages, 1517 KiB  
Systematic Review
Assessment of the Effects of Physiotherapy on Back Care and Prevention of Non-Specific Low Back Pain in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by José Manuel García-Moreno, Inmaculada Calvo-Muñoz, Antonia Gómez-Conesa and José Antonio López-López
Healthcare 2024, 12(10), 1036; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12101036 - 16 May 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1634
Abstract
Non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) in children and adolescents has increased in recent years, and the evidence of the physiotherapy interventions in back care needs to be updated. Our main goal was to quantify the effects of preventive physiotherapy interventions on improving behavior [...] Read more.
Non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) in children and adolescents has increased in recent years, and the evidence of the physiotherapy interventions in back care needs to be updated. Our main goal was to quantify the effects of preventive physiotherapy interventions on improving behavior and knowledge related to back care and prevention of NSLBP in children and adolescents. Based on two previous meta-analyses, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, PEDro, Web of Science, LILACS, IBECS, PsycINFO, and IME databases and several journals were searched. Two researchers independently extracted data and assessed the risk of bias in the studies using the RoB2 tool. Data were described according to PRISMA guidelines. A total of 24 studies (28 reports) were included. In the posttest, the behavior variable obtained an overall effect size of d+ = 1.48 (95%CI: 0.40 to 2.56), and the knowledge variable obtained an effect size of d+ = 1.41 (95%CI: 1.05 to 1.76). Physiotherapy has demonstrated beneficial impacts on behavior and knowledge concerning back care and to prevent NSLBP in children and adolescents. Interventions focusing on postural hygiene and exercise should be preferred, especially those that are shorter in number of weeks, more intense, and incorporate as many intervention hours as possible. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Challenges in Health Care Services among Patients with Musculoskeletal Pain)
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