Table 5 The impact of waiting for treatment for musculoskeletal conditions on health outcomes

Amato et al (1997) [45]

QOL (FOTO Outcomes Index)

Unable to estimate

Patients treated within 15 days had greater improvement in QOL

?

?

Patient Satisfaction (FOTO Patient Satisfaction Index)

Unable to estimate

No association between patient satisfaction and waiting time

N

N

Linton et al (1993) [49]

Pain (Treatment outcome questionnaire)

Unable to estimate

No sig. difference between groups

N

N

Workplace participation

≥ 1 day

History of MSP: No sig. differences

N

N

Number of days off work each quarter

No History of MSP:

1^st Quarter: MD 11 (95%CI 0.01-22.0)

Y

Y

2^nd Quarter: MD 7 (95%CI -2.7-16.7)

N

N

3^rd Quarter: MD 11 (95%CI 2.8-19.2)

Y

Y

4^th Quarter: MD 5 (95%CI -4.7-14.7)

N

N

Development of chronic symptoms (proportion & RR)

Unable to estimate

History of MSP: No sig. differences

N

N

No History of MSP: Short wait 2% vs. long wait 15%, RR 8.2 (95%CI 1.5-45.3)

Y

?

Patient Satisfaction (Treatment satisfaction questionnaire)

Unable to estimate

Short wait group more satisfied with time to appointment (X²=15.8, P<0.01 with history of MSP, X²=9.4, P=0.02 with no history)

Y

?

No sig. differences between groups in satisfaction with examination & treatment

N

N

Nordemann et al (2006) [51]

Pain

 BRPP (change scores)

1.2 units

MD 0.10 (95%CI -1.0 to 1.2)

N

N

 ŐMPSQ (change scores)

11.7 units

MD 6.3 (95%CI -8.1 to 20.7)

N

N

Function: RMQ (change scores)

3.5 units

MD -0.9 (95%CI -1.0 to 1.2)

N

N

Workplace participation: ŐMPSQ (change scores)

1.1 units

MD -0.7 (95%CI -1.7 to 1.3)

N

N

Pedersen et al (2017) [55]

Function (SPPB)

Unable to estimate

G 0.10 (95%CI -0.1 to 0.2)

N

N

Self et al (2000) [52]

Function (TOAS)

Unable to estimate

No sig. differences between groups.

N

N

Wand et al (2004) [53]

Function (RMQ)

3.5 units

MD 1.8 (95%CI -0.4 to 4.0)

N

N

Pain (VAS)

3.5 units

MD 0.9 (95%CI -0.04 to 1.8)

N

N

Anxiety symptoms (STAIS)

2 units

MD 2.8 (95%CI 1.0 to 4.6)

Y

Y

Depressive symptoms (MZDRS)

5.7 units

MD 8.4 (95%CI 3.9 to 12.9)

Y

Y

QOL

 EQ-5D Total Score

0.15 units

MD 0.10 (95%CI 0 to 0.2)

N

N

 SF-36 Physical Function

9.5 units

MD 3 (95%CI -4.8 to 10.8)

N

N

 SF-36 Role-Physical

21.5 units

MD 11 (95%CI -6.7 to 28.7)

N

N

 SF-36 Bodily Pain

11 units

MD 11 (95%CI 2.3 to 19.7)

Y

Y

 SF-36 General Health

9.5 units

MD 12 (95%CI 5.2 to 18.8)

Y

Y

 SF-36 Vitality

10.5 units

MD 22 (95%CI 13.7 to 30.3)

Y

Y

 SF-36 Social Functioning

12.5 units

MD 16 (95%CI 6.4 to 25.6)

Y

Y

 SF-36 Role-Emotional

21.5 units

MD 19 (95%CI 2.7 to 35.3)

Y

N

 SF-36 Mental Health

12 units

MD 22 (95%CI 13.5 to 30.5)

Y

Y

Zigenfus et al (2000) [54]

Workplace participation

 Days away from work

≥ 1 day

Short wait vs. intermediate wait:

MD 0.7 (95%CI 0.4 to 1.0)

Y

N

Short wait vs. long wait

MD 2.5 (95%CI 2.0 to 3.0)

Y

Y

 Days of restricted work duties

≥ 1 day

Short wait vs. intermediate wait MD 1.8 (95%CI 1.3 to 2.3)

Y

Y

Short wait vs. long waitMD 5.3 (95%CI 4.4 to 6.2)

Y

Y