Effects of rehabilitation and behavior change interventions on physical capacity and physical activity behavior following lumbar surgery for degenerative disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

by José Manuel García-Moreno, Tyler Adams, Amber Beynon, Janine Vlaar Olthuis, Stephan U. Dombrowski, Richelle Witherspoon, Niels Wedderkopp, Jeffrey J. Hébert

Background

Rehabilitation and behavior change interventions are commonly used after lumbar surgery to improve recovery, but their effects on physical capacity and physical activity remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of rehabilitation and behavior change interventions on physical capacity and physical activity behavior in patients following lumbar surgery for degenerative disease.

Methods

EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and CENTRAL were searched from inception to September 2025 and reference lists were hand-searched. Randomized controlled trials assessing rehabilitation or behavior change interventions on physical capacity or physical activity behavior in adults with lumbar degenerative disc disease who underwent lumbar surgery were included. Review author pairs independently extracted data and assessed included studies. Risk of bias was assessed with the Cochrane tool, and study quality with the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation classification. Results were pooled using random-effects models and reported as standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

Exercise was more effective than minimal or usual care in improving trunk extension endurance in the immediate term (SMD, 1.54; 95% CI, 0.93–2.16). Supervised exercise outperformed self-directed exercise in improving trunk extension endurance in the immediate term (SMD, 1.28; 95% CI, 0.75–1.81). Psychologically informed rehabilitation was more effective than minimal or usual care in increasing physical activity levels in the intermediate term (SMD, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.02–0.49), but not in the immediate term (SMD, 0.17; 95% CI, −0.14 to 0.49). Physical activity advice did not increase physical activity levels compared to minimal or usual care in the immediate term (SMD, 0.21; 95% CI, −0.13 to 0.55). Prehabilitation was more effective than minimal or usual care in increasing physical activity levels in the intermediate term (SMD, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.03–0.53). Certainty of evidence ranged from low to moderate.

Conclusions

For adults with lumbar degenerative disease who underwent lumbar surgery, exercise, especially supervised programs, improved trunk extension endurance in the immediate term. Psychologically informed rehabilitation and prehabilitation increased physical activity levels in the intermediate term, while physical activity advice showed no benefit. Findings are limited by low certainty of evidence and high risk of bias.

COVID-19 knowledge, attitudes, and practices among people vulnerable to HIV in Uganda: A cross-sectional cohort analysis

by Job Kasule, Julius L. Tonzel, Natalie Burns, Tyler Hamby, Roger Ying, Grace Mirembe, Immaculate Nakabuye, Hannah Kibuuka, Margaret Yacovone, Betty Mwesigwa, Trevor A. Crowell, for the Multinational Observational Cohort of HIV and other Infections (MOCHI) Study Group

Background

People with behavioral vulnerability to HIV face barriers to healthcare engagement that may impede uptake of non-pharmaceutical and other interventions to prevent COVID-19. Understanding COVID-19 knowledge, attitudes, and practices in this population can inform disease prevention efforts during future pandemics.

Materials and methods

From October 2022 to September 2024, we enrolled participants aged 14–55 years without HIV who endorsed recent sexually transmitted infection, injection drug use, transactional sex, condomless sex, and/or anal sex with male partners. At enrollment, we collected socio-behavioral data, including assessments of COVID-19 knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Robust Poisson regression with purposeful variable selection was used to estimate prevalence ratios with 95% confidence intervals for factors associated with COVID-19 preventive practices.

Results

Among 418 participants, 228 (56.9%) were female, the median age was 21 years (interquartile range 19−24), and 362 (84.9%) reported sex work. Knowledge about SARS-CoV-2 transmission routes was high (95.4%) but lower for the consequences of genetic variants (48.5%−69.7%) and possibility for asymptomatic infection or transmission (66.7%−80.8%). Handwashing was practiced by 90.8% of participants in the preceding month, whereas mask-wearing (76.5%), avoiding symptomatic people (73.7%), and any history of COVID-19 vaccination (46.9%) were less prevalent. Males were more likely to report avoiding symptomatic people (adjusted prevalence ratio 1.16 [95% confidence interval 1.03–1.31]) and COVID-19 vaccination (1.30 [1.05–1.60]). Enrollment during the BQ.1/BQ.1.1 Omicron wave was associated with less mask-wearing (0.81 [0.67–0.99]) but more vaccination (1.59 [1.29–1.95]).

Discussion

We observed variable COVID-19 knowledge and attitudes among Ugandan adolescents and adults with little impact on COVID-19 preventive practices. Efforts to address suboptimal uptake of disease preventive practices during this and future disease outbreaks will require more than just improving knowledge.

Development of a personal recovery questionnaire for older adults with bipolar: a qualitative integrated knowledge translation approach

Objectives

To report on the development and refinement of a questionnaire of personal recovery for use by older adults with bipolar disorder.

Design

An integrated knowledge translation approach was used to structure collaboration of individuals with clinical, research and service users. Focus groups, online meetings and online feedback were used to support information sharing.

Participants

Knowledge users from across the UK including older adults with experience of bipolar, clinicians and academics.

Primary outcome measure

A final draft of the Bipolar Recovery Questionnaire for Older Adults with bipolar (BRQ-OA).

Results

Five service users and 15 stakeholders engaged with the study. The views and recommendations of the groups were integrated into the development of the BRQ-OA across four phases. Service users identified factors of personal recovery they felt had changed with ageing, including the impact of physical health and the importance of finding a purpose following changes to role. Collaboration with key stakeholders allowed for the development of a personal recovery questionnaire relevant to the experiences of older adults.

Conclusions

An integrated knowledge translation approach successfully structured engagement with key stakeholders to allow for active and meaningful engagement. Collaboration of individuals with experience of bipolar, clinicians and academics allowed for the development of the first questionnaire of personal recovery specifically adapted for older adults with bipolar. Future research is needed to validate the BRQ-OA in older adult samples so that it can be used in mental health services and intervention studies.

Predictors of shared decision-making among treatment-seeking emerging adults in primary care and community addiction and mental health settings: A cross-sectional study

by Tyler Marshall, Karin Olson, Adam Abba-Aji, Xin-Min Li, Richard Lewanczuk, Sunita Vohra

Background

Shared decision-making (SDM) is a process in which healthcare providers (HCPs) and patients make health-related decisions collaboratively, guided by the best available evidence. Previous research suggests that emerging adults (aged 18–29) with mental health concerns might prefer SDM over traditional approaches; however, it remains unclear whether prevalent symptoms of anxiety, depression, or health-related quality of life (HRQL) are associated with the level of SDM that occurs during a clinical encounter.

Objective

This study explored whether prevalent symptoms of anxiety, depression or HRQL among emerging adults were associated with the perceived level of SDM involvement during a single clinic visit at a primary care or community addiction and mental health (AMH) setting.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a subset of data (emerging adults and their HCPs) obtained from an overarching study on SDM in adults (18–64 years) in Alberta, Canada. Sociodemographic data were collected and reported descriptively. SDM was the primary outcome variable and was measured dyadically (i.e., the mean score between HCPs and patients) using the Alberta Shared Decision-Making Instrument (ASK-MI). Symptoms of patient anxiety/depression and HRQL were measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the EQ-5D-5L. Pearson R correlation matrices were conducted to explore relationships between SDM, anxiety/depression, HRQL, and demographic variables.

Results

Forty-two emerging adult patients and 31 HCP dyads were recruited from six community AMH settings and eight primary care settings. The mean SDM dyad rating was 8.69 (SD, ± 2.01), indicating an “excellent” level of SDM. Symptoms of anxiety, depression, and HRQL were not significantly correlated with SDM dyad ratings during the clinic visit. Post hoc analyses showed that patient age was inversely related to SDM dyad ratings; R = −0.34, p = 0.03.

Discussion

In this study, emerging adults reported high levels of perceived engagement in SDM, regardless of their HRQL or symptoms of anxiety and depression. However, several limitations, such as the risk of performance bias, should be considered when interpreting these findings. To strengthen the evidence base, future research should aim to address these limitations.

Developing service models for adult palliative and end of life care for people with a learning disability (The DAPPLE Project): protocol for a mixed-method study

Introduction

People with a learning disability face significant health and mortality inequalities as well as wider systemic inequities. Challenges in palliative and end of life care (PEOLC) include communication difficulties, lack of involvement in decision-making and multimorbidity. Early identification of PEOLC needs is challenging, impacting timely care planning. The study aims to (1) understand barriers and enablers to providing high-quality, accessible PEOLC for people with a learning disability, and identify effective service delivery models and interventions and (2) improve PEOLC quality and accessibility by developing robust guidance for health and social care services.

Methods and analysis

This is a mixed-methods study guided by the NHS England 2021 Ambitions Framework and adopting the Social Model of Disability. There are four workstreams: (1) a retrospective cohort analysis of the Clinical Practice Research Datalink; (2) a rapid scoping review; (3) field work in four study sites across England, involving (a) interviews with senior leaders and commissioners (n=up to 16) and informal stakeholder engagement conversations; (b) ethnographic case studies with people with a learning disability at the end of life (n=up to 20) and retrospective case reviews of people with a learning disability who have died (n=up to 40), using family and staff interviews and (c) development and piloting of methods for enabling systematic identification of PEOLC need, using experience-based co-design and (4) patient and public involvement (PPI) activities and a co-production group of 10 people with a learning disability to support data analysis and outputs. Data will be analysed using adapted framework analysis methodology. This is an inclusive, co-produced study with significant involvement of advisors and researchers with a learning disability as part of the study team.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval has been obtained for workstreams 1, 3a and 3b. Significant attention has been paid to ensuring informed consent, making adjustments for capacity. Accessible information and consent forms will be used, involving consultees and adhering to the Mental Capacity Act for participants who lack capacity. Data security will follow General Data Protection Regulation rules. Dissemination will include patient exemplars, guidance and various resources, engaging stakeholders through multiple formats.

Study registration

researchregistry10500.

Urine Metabolites as Indicators of Chronic Pain and Related Symptoms in Active-Duty Service Members: A Secondary Data Analysis of a Pragmatic Clinical Trial With SMART Design

Background Chronic pain is a major cause of distress and disability, and biomarkers may aid in the assessment and treatment of it. Urine metabolites may be valuable bioindicators that can provide biological insight regarding chronic pain. Objectives To investigate the relationship between a multimarker composite measure of metabolites and patient-reported outcomes scores in adults with chronic pain, using data from a pragmatic clinical trial with a sequential, multiple-assignment randomized trial design. Methods Self-reported measures and urine samples from 169 active-duty service members with chronic pain were collected. Urine was analyzed using a preestablished panel of metabolites, including four previously identified biomarkers of pain: kynurenic acid, pyroglutamic acid, ethylmalonic acid, and methylmalonate. Multivariable linear regression models—adjusted for participant characteristics such as age and sex—were used to cross-sectionally examine the relationship between 11 patient-reported outcomes (fatigue, sleep-related impairment, anxiety, depression, anger, pain catastrophizing, physical function, pain interference, satisfaction with participation with social roles, pain intensity, and pain impact score) and the four urine metabolites both individually and as a composite (urine metabolite pain indicator, or UMPI). Given the study’s small sample size and exploratory nature, a significance threshold of p ≤ .10 was used for all analyses. Results The UMPI showed statistically significant associations with five self-reported measures (fatigue, anxiety, depression, physical functioning, and pain impact score); adjusted Pearson correlations ranged from .18 to .25. Individual metabolite analyses supported these findings, with all relationships between individual metabolites and self-reported measures showing positive associations. Kynurenic acid and ethylmalonic acid showed the strongest associations, each having statistically significant relationships with four individual self-reported measures, while pyroglutamic acid had statistically significant relationships with three self-reported measures and methylmalonate with none. The UMPI demonstrated feasible reliability. Discussion Our finding of associations between the UMPI and components of the self-reported measures supports the development of the UMPI and these four urine metabolites as biomarkers for chronic pain outcomes. Further research is planned and will be essential for establishing mechanistic insight and guiding biomarker development within the context of pain management.