European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society
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To provide an overview and a critical appraisal of the use of responder analyses in published randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of interventions for chronic low back pain (LBP). The methodology used for the analyses, including the justification, as well as the implications of responder analyses on the conclusions was explored. ⋯ Few RCTs of interventions for chronic LBP report responder analyses. Where responder analyses are used, the methods are inconsistent. When performing responder analyses authors are encouraged to follow the recommended guidelines, using empirically derived cutoffs, and present results alongside mean differences.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
A prospective, cluster-randomized controlled trial of exercise program to prevent low back pain in office workers.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of an exercise program focusing on muscle stretching and endurance training on the 12-month incidence of low back pain (LBP) in office workers. ⋯ An exercise program consisting of muscle stretching and endurance training is an effective intervention to reduce incident LBP for office workers with lower-than-normal trunk extension flexibility or trunk muscle endurance.
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial
A comparison of magnetic resonance imaging with electrodiagnostic findings in the evaluation of clinical radiculopathy: a cross-sectional study.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the agreement of magnetic resonance imaging and electrodiagnostic studies by comparing their findings in patients with clinically suspected radiculopathy. The agreements between these two procedures and clinical findings were also examined. ⋯ This study further supports that these two methods are complementary in general. It is reasonable to add EDX when there is discrepancy between MRI and clinical findings or when MRI neurologic findings are not visible.
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To determine the extent to which the clinical manifestations of a cohort of people undergoing surgery for lumbosacral nerve root compression satisfy those described in The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance. ⋯ In this small sample, from two units, NICE's description of the clinical manifestations of lumbar nerve root compression did not describe 99% of people having surgery for it. Using NICE's definition to triage people with low back pain could result in prolonged symptoms and delayed treatment. Diagnosing lumbar nerve root compression is complex. NICE's guidance requires examination.