Feasibility of an intensive interprofessional lifestyle medicine program for patients with musculoskeletal conditions in the setting of lifestyle-related chronic disease.

This was a small single-site feasibility study, not a test of whether the program works. Outcomes were compared within the same patients over time, so the program cannot be separated from usual care or other factors. Patients received several services at once, so the contribution of any one discipline cannot be isolated. Some patients left early, and missing data were omitted, which can distort the results. Repeat laboratory tests were often not completed because of insurance coverage, cost or inconvenience. The program was offered to patients who had already completed standard musculoskeletal care and were interested in lifestyle change. The satisfaction measure did not capture what patients found most helpful. Initial sleep apnea screening and interim blood pressure collection were not reliably performed.

The supplied publication type lists non-U.S. government research support. No author conflict-of-interest declaration is included in the supplied text.

Do not read this as proof that lifestyle medicine reduces pain or improves function. It was a small single-site feasibility study that compared patients with themselves over time, not with a control group. Patients received physiatrist-led care, psychology, nutrition, physical therapy, acupuncture, massage and smoking-cessation support together, and most secondary outcome changes were not statistically significant.