Jason Zafereo

Bio: Jason Zafereo is an academic researcher from University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. The author has contributed to research in topics: Low back pain & Lumbar. The author has an hindex of 5, co-authored 20 publications receiving 67 citations. Previous affiliations of Jason Zafereo include American Physical Therapy Association.

Treatment of drug-resistant fibromyalgia symptoms using high-intensity laser therapy: a case-based review.

Abstract: Fibromyalgia is a chronic musculoskeletal condition characterized by widespread pain in the body and is associated with tender points at the shoulder, back and hip regions. A wide variety of pharmacologic drugs and dietary supplements have been used with limited success in treating the musculoskeletal pain. Early clinical studies with low level laser therapy (LLLT) alone or in combination with drugs commonly used to treat fibromyalgia suggested that LLLT may be effective in reducing musculoskeletal pain and stiffness, as well as the number of tender locations. However, a sham-controlled study reported that LLLT was not significantly better than the sham treatment and kinesiotape. Preliminary studies with high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) suggest that it may be more effective than LLLT for treating chronic pain syndromes. Therefore, we evaluated low (1 W), intermediate (42 W) and high level (75 W) HILT in a woman with long-standing fibromyalgia syndrome which was resistant to both standard pharmacotherapy and treatment in an interdisciplinary pain management program. The patient received a series of treatments with a HILT device (Phoenix Thera-lase) at a wavelength of 1275 nm administered at both the paraspinous region and tender points in the shoulder and hip regions. Although the 1 W treatment produced minimal symptom relief, both the 42 and the 75 W treatments produced a dramatic reduction in her overall pain, improved quality of sleep, and increased her level of physical activity for 4–10 days after these treatment sessions. This case illustrates the potential beneficial effects of using higher power levels of HILT for patients with fibromyalgia syndrome who have failed to respond to conventional interdisciplinary treatment regimens.

Quantitative Sensory Testing Discriminates Central Sensitization Inventory Scores in Participants with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain: An Exploratory Study

Abstract: BACKGROUND The Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI) is often used in clinical settings to screen for the presence of central sensitization. However, various cutoff scores have been reported for this tool, and scores have not been consistently associated with widespread pain sensitivity as measured with quantitative sensory testing (QST). The purpose of this study was to compare QST profiles among asymptomatic controls and participants with chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP), and to determine the association between self-report questionnaires and QST in participants with CMP. METHODS Twenty asymptomatic controls and 46 participants with CMP completed the CSI, PROMIS-29, and QST assessments of mechanical and thermal pain thresholds remote to the area of pain. Receiver Operating Characteristic analysis revealed a cutoff score of 33.5 for the CSI. PROMIS-29 Quality of Life (QOL) inventory and QST measures were compared between low and high CSI groups. RESULTS The high CSI group (n = 19) had significantly lower mechanical and thermal pain thresholds, and larger impairments in QOL measures, compared to the low CSI group (n = 27) and asymptomatic controls. Participants with CSI scores < 33.5 presented similarly to asymptomatic controls. Anxiety, pain interference, and CSI scores demonstrated the highest number of significant associations to QST measures. CONCLUSION A cutoff score of 33.5 on the CSI may be useful for discriminating widespread pain sensitivity and quality of life impairments in participants with CMP. Future studies should consider how the presence of high or low CSI may impact differential diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment responsiveness for patients with primary or secondary CMP.

Regional manual therapy and motor control exercise for chronic low back pain: a randomized clinical trial

Abstract: Clinical practice guidelines recommend a focus on regional interdependence for the management of chronic low back pain (CLBP). This study investigated the additive effect of regional manual therapy...

Reliability of rehabilitative ultrasound imaging of the transversus abdominis and lumbar multifidus musculature

Abstract: OBJECTIVES To evaluate the intraexaminer and interexaminer reliability of rehabilitative ultrasound imaging (RUSI) in obtaining thickness measurements of the transversus abdominis (TrA) and lumbar multifidus muscles at rest and during contractions. DESIGN Single-group repeated-measures reliability study. SETTING University and orthopedic physical therapy clinic. PARTICIPANTS A volunteer sample of adults (N=30) with current nonspecific low back pain (LBP) was examined by 2 clinicians with minimal RUSI experience. INTERVENTIONS Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Thickness measurements of the TrA and lumbar multifidus muscles at rest and during contractions were obtained by using RUSI during 2 sessions 1 to 3 days apart. Percent thickness change was calculated as thickness(contracted)-thickness(rest)/thickness(rest). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were used to estimate reliability. RESULTS By using the mean of 2 measures, intraexaminer reliability point estimates (ICC(3,2)) ranged from 0.96 to 0.99 for same-day comparisons and from 0.87 to 0.98 for between-day comparisons. Interexaminer reliability estimates (ICC(2,2)) ranged from 0.88 to 0.94 for within-day comparisons and from 0.80 to 0.92 for between-day comparisons. Reliability estimates comparing measurements by the 2 examiners of the same image (ICC(2,2)) ranged from 0.96 to 0.98. Reliability estimates were lower for percent thickness change measures than the corresponding single thickness measures for all conditions. CONCLUSIONS RUSI thickness measurements of the TrA and lumbar multifidus muscles in patients with LBP, when based on the mean of 2 measures, are highly reliable when taken by a single examiner and adequately reliable when taken by different examiners.

Prognostic Factors for Recovery in Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review

Abstract: Background. Few data are available on predictors for a favorable outcome in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain (CNLBP). Purpose. The aim of this study was to assess prognostic factors for pain intensity, disability, return to work, quality of life, and global perceived effect in patients with CNLBP at short-term (6 months) and long-term (6 months) follow-up. Data Sources. Relevant studies evaluating the prognosis of CNLBP were searched in PubMed, CINAHL, and EMBASE (through March 2010). Study Selection. Articles with all types of study designs were included. Inclusion criteria were: participants were patients with CNLBP (12 weeks’ duration), participants were older than 18 years of age, and the study was related to prognostic factors for recovery. Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Data Extraction. Two reviewers extracted the data and details of each study. Data Synthesis. A qualitative analysis using “level of evidence” was performed for all included studies. Data were summarized in tables and critically appraised. Limitations. The results of the studies reviewed were limited by their methodological weaknesses. Conclusions. At short-term follow-up, no association was found for the factors of age and sex with the outcomes of pain intensity and disability. At long-term follow-up, smoking had the same result. At long-term follow-up, pain intensity and fear of movement had no association with disability. At short-term follow-up, conflicting evidence was found for the association between the outcomes pain intensity and disability and the factor of fear of movement. At long-term follow-up, conflicting evidence was found for the factors of age, sex, and physical job demands. At long-term follow-up, conflicting evidence also was found for the association between return to work and age, sex, and activities of daily living. At baseline, there was limited evidence of a positive influence of lower pain intensity and physical job demands on return to work. No high-quality studies were found for the outcomes of quality of life and global perceived effect.

針灸對腕隧道症候群之影響~ 一個隨機試驗;Acupuncture in patients with Carpal tunnel syndrome ~ A randomized control trial

Abstract: ObjectivesTo investigate the efficacy of acupuncture compared with steroid treatment in patients with mild-to-moderate carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) as measured by objective changes in nerve conduction studies (NCS) and subjective symptoms assessment in a randomized, controlled study. MethodsA total of 77 consecutive and prospective CTS patients confirmed by NCS were enrolled in the study. Those who had fixed sensory complaint over the median nerve and thenar muscle atrophy were excluded. The CTS patients were randomly divided into 2 treatment arms: (1) 2 weeks of prednisolone 20 mg daily followed by 2 weeks of prednisolone 10 mg daily (n =39), and (2) acupuncture administered in 8 sessions over 4 weeks (n=38). A validated standard questionnaire as a subjective measurement was used to rate the 5 major symptoms (pain, numbness, paresthesia, weakness/clumsiness, and nocturnal awakening) on a scale from 0 (no symptoms) to 10 (very severe). The total score in each of the 5 categories was termed the global symptom score (GSS). Patients completed standard questionnaires at baseline and 2 and 4 weeks later. The changes in GSS were analyzed to evaluate the statistical significance. NCS were performed at baseline and repeated at the end of the study to assess improvement. All main analyses used intent-to-treat. ResultsA total of 77 patients who fulfilled the criteria for mild-to-moderate CTS were recruited in the study. There were 38 in the acupuncture group and 39 in the steroid group. The evaluation of GSS showed that there was a high percentage of improvement in both groups at weeks 2 and 4 (P<0.01), though statistical significance was not demonstrated between the 2 groups (P=0.15). Of the 5 main symptoms scores (pain, numbness, paresthesia, weakness/clumsiness, nocturnal awakening), only 1, nocturnal awakening, showed a significant decrease in acupuncture compared with the steroid group at week 4 (P=0.03). Patients with acupuncture treatment had a significant decrease in distal motor latency compared with the steroid group at week 4 (P=0.012). Acupuncture was well tolerated with minimal adverse effects. ConclusionsShort-term acupuncture treatment is as effective as short-term low-dose prednisolone for mild-to-moderate CTS. For those who do have an intolerance or contraindication for oral steroid or for those who do not opt for early surgery, acupuncture treatment provides an alternative choice.

Fibromyalgia: Recent Advances in Diagnosis, Classification, Pharmacotherapy and Alternative Remedies

Abstract: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a syndrome that does not present a well-defined underlying organic disease. FM is a condition which has been associated with diseases such as infections, diabetes, psychiatric or neurological disorders, rheumatic pathologies, and is a disorder that rather than diagnosis of exclusion requires positive diagnosis. A multidimensional approach is required for the management of FM, including pain management, pharmacological therapies, behavioral therapy, patient education, and exercise. The purpose of this review is to summarize the recent advances in classification criteria and diagnostic criteria for FM as well as to explore pharmacotherapy and the use of alternative therapies including the use of plant bioactive molecules.