A biopsychosocial approach to tendinopathy

Edgar, N., Clifford, C., O’Neill, S., Pedret, C., Kirwan, P. D. and Millar, N. L. (2022) A biopsychosocial approach to tendinopathy. BMJ Open Sport and Exercise Medicine, 8, e001326. (doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2022-001326) (PMID:35990762) (PMCID:PMC9345071)

Abstract

Tendinopathy describes a spectrum of changes that occur in damaged tendons, leading to pain and reduced function that remains extremely challenging for all clinicians. There is an increasing awareness of the influence that psychological and psychosocial components, such as self-efficacy and fear-avoidance, have on rehabilitation outcomes in musculoskeletal medicine. Although it is widely accepted that psychological/psychosocial factors exist in tendinopathy, there is currently a distinct lack of trials measuring how these factors affect clinical outcomes. Biopsychosocial treatments acknowledge and address the biological, psychological and social contributions to pain and disability are currently seen as the most efficacious approach to chronic pain. Addressing and modulating these factors are crucial in the pathway of personalised treatments in tendinopathy and offer a real opportunity to drive positive outcomes in patients. In this education review, we also provide the current evidence-based guidance on psychological and psychosocial developments in musculoskeletal medicine and how these may be translated to treating tendinopathy using a biopsychosocial model.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This work was funded by a grant from the Medical Research Council UK (MR/R020515/1).
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Millar, Professor Neal
• Authors: Edgar, N., Clifford, C., O’Neill, S., Pedret, C., Kirwan, P. D., and Millar, N. L.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
• Research Centre: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity > Centre for Immunobiology
• Journal Name: BMJ Open Sport and Exercise Medicine
• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
• ISSN: 2055-7647
• ISSN (Online): 2055-7647
• Published Online: 01 August 2022
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2022 The Authors
• First Published: First published in BMJ Open Sport and Exercise Medicine 8:e001326
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
301515		Damage mechanisms in tendon disease	Neal Millar	Medical Research Council (MRC)	MR/R020515/1	III - Immunology