Introduction: Persistent musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders are one of the leading reasons for years lived with disability within the UK. Guidelines encourage integrating self-management support. Hydrotherapy supports patients with persistent MSK conditions; however, self-management following NHS-led hydrotherapy has been inconsistent. Aim: To identify outcomes of hydrotherapy alongside the barriers, facilitators, and contributory factors affecting self-management in the local persistent MSK pain population. Methods: Between April 2023 and May 2023, a service evaluation was undertaken exploring factors affecting self-management in the local persistent MSK pain population following NHS-led hydrotherapy. Demographics, clinical factors, functional status (MSK-HQ) and patient-reported experiences, including barriers and facilitators to self-management, were recorded. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics alongside exploration of themes. Results: Ninety patients completed hydrotherapy. White British (n = 24) and Indian British (n = 23) were the most common groups to attend. Multiple joint (n = 27) and spinal conditions (n = 26) were the most common MSK conditions. Mean pre- and post-MSK-HQ scores were 20.8 and 26.1, respectively. Among the contactable patients (n = 69), 49 patients did not maintain independent water-based self-management reporting barriers such as ongoing support, access and financial concerns. Patients supported the establishment of a support group (n = 56) to help maintain water-based exercises. Conclusions: The local persistent MSK pain population lacks self-efficacy for independent water-based self-management. A supportive and collaborative approach is proposed to address this via a patient-led hydrotherapy support group.

Introduction: Health inequality is a global public health challenge, limited by insufficient high-quality data and analysis. Musculoskeletal (MSK) pain disorders are more prevalent among ethnic minority groups disproportionately affected by socioeconomic disparities and poor health outcomes. Ethnicity data collection enables NHS organisations and policymakers to understand specific healthcare needs and ensure equitable access and care provision. Objective: To understand the baseline clinical characteristics across ethnic population groups accessing MSK care at Sandwell and West Birmingham (SWB) NHS Trust. Methods: Retrospective analysis of routine data collected using patient self-report surveys (August 2020-February 2023). Core metrics included demographics, pain characteristics, and Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) including the Musculoskeletal Health Questionnaire (MSK-HQ) and Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS). Descriptive statistics and statistical tests were undertaken, with means, percentage values and variation by ethnic groups across baseline MSK-HQ and pain scores reported. Results: Survey data were provided by 13,248 patients, with 7295 (55.06%) stating their ethnicity. Statistical differences were found between baseline MSK-HQ and NPRS scores between ethnic groups. The mean MSK-HQ score was 24.1 overall, lowest in the Asian group (22.3) and highest in the Mixed group (24.8). Mean baseline pain intensity was (7.8), highest in the Asian group (8.3). One or more comorbidities were present in 46% of patients, with the highest percentage in the White and Black groups sequentially. Conclusion: Baseline health inequalities exist among ethnic groups accessing the SWB MSK service. Disparities may be associated with patient or system barriers and require further exploration.

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are common. Many patients undergo ACL reconstruction (ACLR), with rehabilitation key to successful outcome. Understanding physical prognostic factors is integral to clinical decision-making, but factors predicting outcome are inadequately defined. The objective was to establish physical prognostic factors predicting outcome following ACLR. Methods: A systematic review following a published protocol (CRD42019127732) searched MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, key journals and grey literature to November 28, 2020. Prospective cohort studies, participants ≥16 years of age who had undergone ACLR were included, with multi-ligament and/or ACL repair surgery, and studies not published in English excluded. Two independent reviewers conducted searches, extracted data, assessed risk of bias (QUIPS) and overall quality of evidence (GRADE). Meta-analysis was not possible, therefore narrative synthesis was performed. Results: 13 studies (16 articles) were included (1 low, 12 high risk of bias). Low-level evidence supports postoperative degenerative changes and poor lower-limb strength predicting poorer outcome long term (KOOS). Very low-level evidence supports greater postoperative quadriceps strength predicting improved functional performance medium term; with lower body mass index predicting improvement of multiple outcome measures. Conclusion: Limited evidence of low or very low-level indicates multiple prognostic factors predicting outcome following ACLR. A high-quality prognostic study is required.

Introduction: Goal setting is a key part of rehabilitation across various fields of physiotherapy. It is less clear what evidence exists to underpin its effectiveness and to practically guide its use within musculoskeletal physiotherapy. Objectives: This scoping review provides an overview of current research regarding goal setting in adult physiotherapy-led musculoskeletal care with three aims: 1) to identify and analyse any gaps in the literature, 2) to identify relevant features of goal setting theory and 3) to make recommendations for future research. The principal research question was what does the literature tell us about the role of goal setting for adults over the age of 18 with musculoskeletal pain accessing outpatient physiotherapy services? Inclusion criteria: The population, concept and context framework was used to define the inclusion criteria. Key definitions were adults over the age of 18 with musculoskeletal conditions, goal setting, and physiotherapy-led interventions. Methods: This scoping review followed the guidance set out by the Joanna Briggs Institute Manual for Evidence Synthesis. Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature Plus with Full Text, MEDLINE, American Psychological Association PsycInfo and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Protocols and Trials were searched using pre-defined search criteria. Data were extracted from screened full-text articles and presented in basic statistical and narrative form. Results: 41 articles were included in the review. Several broad themes and research methods were identified. The nature of the studies suggested that the clinical application of goal setting is complex and the depth of understanding is limited. Most studies suggested that goal setting is feasible and has a positive impact on outcomes. A common finding was a lack of clear definitions regarding goal setting terminology and approaches. Study samples were generally defined by biomedical categories, suggesting a pathoanatomical approach to researching a cognitive construct. Theoretical underpinning was lacking in many studies. No frameworks guiding goal setting in physiotherapy-led musculoskeletal rehabilitation have been identified. Conclusions: Goal setting is a popular tool within musculoskeletal outpatient physiotherapy. Further research is required to clarify its efficacy and provide guidance on its role and application in clinical practice.

No abstract available

Anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) give feedforward postural control of the trunk, but they are delayed with ageing, affecting balance and mobility in older individuals. The reticulospinal tract contributes to postural control of the trunk; however, the extent to which age-related changes affect the reticulospinal contributions to APAs of the trunk remains unknown in humans. Here, we tested the hypothesis that a startling acoustic sound, which activates the reticulospinal tract, improves delayed APAs in older individuals. Twenty-two old (75 ± 6 years) and 20 healthy young adults (21 ± 4 years) performed a self-initiated fast bilateral shoulder flexion or shoulder extension task in response to visual, visual and auditory (80 dB), or visual and startling (115 dB) cues. Electromyography (EMG) was recorded from bilateral anterior deltoid (AD) and erector spinae (ES) during shoulder flexion and from bilateral posterior deltoid (PD) and rectus abdominis (RA) during shoulder extension. EMG onset of all muscles shortened during the startling cue in both age groups, suggesting a non-specific modulation of the reticulospinal tract on prime movers (AD or PD) and non-prime movers (ES or RA). Interestingly, APAs of the ES were accelerated in older participants to a similar degree as in younger participants during the startling cue. Conversely, APAs of the RA were not influenced by the startling cue in older participants. Our results suggest differential effects of ageing on functional contributions of the reticulospinal tract to APAs between back extensors and abdominal muscles.

Suprascapular nerve block (SSNB) injections are growing in popularity as a treatment option for people with chronic shoulder pain. The optimal method of injection and aftercare is unknown. This review describes the current methods and drugs used for performing SSNB injections in the non-surgical management of adults with chronic shoulder pain in order to inform future research in this area. Systematic searches of CINAHL, MEDLINE (OVID), AMED, Embase databases and the Cochrane Library were undertaken from inception to June 2020. Data on the method and drugs used for injection and aftercare were extracted and summarised for areas of commonality and discrepancy. We included 53 studies in this review. In total, eight different injection methods were reported within the included studies. Indirect surface land-marked methods were the most common method reported in 21 studies. Direct surface land-marked methods were reported in 12 studies. Ultrasound-guided methods used alone were reported in 16 studies. Both fluoroscopy and computed tomography methods used alone were reported in one study each. Electromyography was used in combination with other injection methods in nine studies. Wide variation in the composition of the injectate was observed between studies. Local anaesthetic was used within injectate preparations in all studies. Local anaesthetic used alone was reported in 20 studies, combined with steroid in 29 studies and combined with various other components in 5 studies. Physiotherapy following injection was reported in 26 studies. Reported details of physiotherapy varied considerably. This review identified substantial variation in the methods and drugs used to perform SSNB injection in clinical trials. Current literature demonstrates a wide range of methods used for SSNB injection administration. Consensus research defining standardised practice for SSNB injection is now needed to guide future clinical practice and research.

Background: Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) evaluate health status from a patient perspective. They can be used to support care at a patient level but also collectively to review quality of care across care providers. Vast amounts of patients with musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions present to General Practice (GP) primary care practitioners each year. Variation in patient outcomes in this setting however has not been reported. Objective: To identify variation in patient outcomes measured using the musculoskeletal health questionnaire (MSK-HQ) PROM for adults presenting to 20 GP practices in the UK with MSK conditions. Methods: A secondary analysis of the STarT MSK cluster randomised controlled trial dataset. A standardised case-mix adjustment model, adjusting for condition complexity co-variates, was used to calculate predicted 6-month follow-up MSK-HQ scores, and used to compare adjusted and un-adjusted health gain (n = 868). Patient MSK-HQ change outcomes were aggregated to practice level and boxplots used to display outlier GP practices for un-adjusted and adjusted outcomes. Results: Substantial variation in patient outcomes was seen across the 20 practices, even after case-mix adjustment, with mean change in MSK-HQ scores ranging from 6 to 12 points. Boxplots displaying un-adjusted outcomes showed one negative GP practice outlier and two positive outliers. However, the boxplots displaying case-mix adjusted outcomes showed no negative outliers, with two practices remaining as positive outliers, and one practice additionally becoming a positive outlier. Conclusion: This study showed a two-fold GP practice variation in patient outcomes measured using the MSK-HQ PROM. To our knowledge it is the first study to demonstrate that (a) a standardised case-mix adjustment method can be used to fairly compare patient health outcome variation in GP care, and (b) that case-mix adjustment changes benchmarking findings with regards to provider performance and outlier identification. This has important implications for identifying best practice exemplars and thereby helping to improve the quality of MSK primary care in the future.