Family-based Interventions Benefit Individuals with Musculoskeletal Pain in the Short-term but not in the Long Term: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Fritsch, CG; Ferreira, ML; da Silva, AKF; Simic, M; Dunn, K; Campbell, P; Foster, NE; Ferreira, PH

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The benefits of family-based interventions for patients with musculoskeletal pain have been previously shown in individual randomised controlled trials (RCTs), but no systematic review has summarised their effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review was conducted to assess the effectiveness of family-based interventions on clinical and biopsychosocial outcomes in people with musculoskeletal pain (PROSPERO CRD42018118442). Meta-analyses were performed for the outcomes of pain intensity, disability, mood, self-efficacy, and marital adjustment. RESULTS: Of 1,223 records identified, 18 reports representing 15 RCTs were included in the qualitative review and 10 in the meta-analyses. Family-based interventions were more effective to reduce pain [Mean difference (MD): -3.55/100; 95%CI -4.03, -3.06], and disability (MD: -1.51/100; 95%CI -1.98, -1.05) than individual-focused interventions at short-term, but not at mid or long-term. There were no effects on other outcomes. Family-based interventions were more effective to reduce pain (MD: -6.05/100; 95%CI -6.78, -5.33) compared to usual care only at short-term. No effects were found on disability and other outcomes. DISCUSSION: There is moderate-quality evidence that family-based interventions result in small, significantly better pain and disability outcomes in the short-term compared to individual-focused interventions in patients with musculoskeletal pain. Based on low-quality evidence, family-based interventions result in small improvements on pain in the short-term compared to usual care. Future studies should review the content and optimise the mechanisms underpinning family-based interventions in musculoskeletal pain so that the approach could be further tested in adequately powered RCTs.

Citation

Fritsch, C., Ferreira, M., da Silva, A., Simic, M., Dunn, K., Campbell, P., …Ferreira, P. (2021). Family-based Interventions Benefit Individuals with Musculoskeletal Pain in the Short-term but not in the Long Term: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Clinical Journal of Pain, 37(2), 140-157. https://doi.org/10.1097/AJP.0000000000000897

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 27, 2020
• Publication Date: Feb 1, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: May 26, 2023
• Journal: Clinical Journal of Pain
• Print ISSN: 0749-8047
• Publisher: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 37
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 140-157
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/AJP.0000000000000897
• Keywords: musculoskeletal pain, pain
• Publisher URL: https://journals.lww.com/clinicalpain/Abstract/9000/Family_based_Interventions_Benefit_Individuals.98655.aspx