Centralization and directional preference: An updated systematic review with synthesis of previous evidence
Four pages on PainSci cite May 2018: 1. The Complete Guide to Low Back Pain 2. Chronic Low Back Pain Is Not So Chronic 3. I prefer extension: Back pain self-help exercise based on “directional preference,” but only “centralizers” need apply (Member Post) 4. An overdue review of the venerable McKenzie Method (Member Post)
PainSci notes on May 2018:
This updated review by May, Runge, and Aina argues that the phenomenon of centralization and directional preference are “important clinical findings,” and important prognostic signs found in at least 60% of patients that “should be routinely monitored in all spinal assessments.”
However, it’s important to note that reliability of assessment is poor, and there is literally no evidence that this has anything to do with treatment.
original abstract †Abstracts here may not perfectly match originals, for a variety of technical and practical reasons. Some abstacts are truncated for my purposes here, if they are particularly long-winded and unhelpful. I occasionally add clarifying notes. And I make some minor corrections.
BACKGROUND: Centralization and directional preference are common management and prognostic factors in spinal symptoms.
OBJECTIVE: To update the previous systematic review.
DESIGN: Systematic review to synthesis multiple aspects of centralization and directional preference.
METHOD: Contemporary search was made of multiple databases using relevant search terms. Abstracts and titles were filtered by two authors; relevant articles were independently reviewed by two authors for content, data extraction, and quality.
RESULTS: Forty-three additional relevant articles were found. The quality of the studies, using PEDro for randomized controlled trials, was moderate or high in six out of ten RCTs; moderate or high in six out of 12 cohort studies. Prevalence of centralization was 40%, the same as the previous review. Directional preference without Centralization was 26%; thus Centralization and directional preference combined was 66%, which was very similar to the previous review. Neither clinical response was recorded in about a third of patients. Centralization and directional preference were confirmed as key positive prognostic factors, certainly in patients with low back pain, but limited evidence for patients with neck pain. There was no evidence that these might be important treatment effect modifiers. One study evaluated reliability, and found generally poor levels, despite training.
CONCLUSIONS: Centralization and directional preference are worthwhile indicators of prognosis, and should be routinely examined for even in patients with chronic low back pain. But they do not occur in all patients with spinal problems, and there was no evidence that they were treatment effect modifiers.
This page is part of the PainScience BIBLIOGRAPHY, which contains plain language summaries of thousands of scientific papers & others sources. It’s like a highly specialized blog. A few highlights:
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