Construction of a Dual-dimensional Outcome System for Musculoskeletal Pain：A Common Core Outcome Set and A Specific Outcome Set for Traditional Chinese Medicine External Treatment
10.13288/j.11-2166/r.2026.14.007
- VernacularTitle:肌肉骨骼疼痛共性核心集与中医外治特色集双维结局指标集的构建
- Author:
Yuanwen LIANG
1
;
Hong CHEN
2
;
Yanan SUN
3
;
Changhe YU
2
Author Information
1. First Clinical College，Beijing University of Chinese Medicine，Beijing，100700
2. Dongzhimen Hospital，Beijing University of Chinese Medicine
3. Xuanwu Hospital，Capital Medical University
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
musculoskeletal pain;
core outcome set;
specific outcome set;
Delphi method;
traditional Chinese medicine external treatment
- From:
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine
2026;67(14):1503-1508
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
ObjectiveTo develop a core outcome set for musculoskeletal pain （MKP-COS） and a specific outcome set for traditional Chinese medicine external treatment （MKP-SOS-ETCM）， providing a standardized basis for clinical research in musculoskeletal pain and serving as a reference for core outcome set （COS） development in related fields. MethodsExisting COS studies on musculoskeletal pain （MKP） were systematically searched， and core outcome indicators were extracted to form an initial item pool. The Delphi method was used， in which experts were invited to reach consensus on MKP-COS and MKP-SOS-ETCM. The inclusion criteria for consensus are set as an importance score of 7-9 points with ≥75% of experts reaching agreement. ResultsA total of 47 COS studies were included， and after discussion and consolidation， a preliminary item pool containing 34 outcome indicators was established. After three rounds of Delphi expert consensus， MKP-COS was identified， including five outcomes including pain， motor function， joint range of motion， activities of daily living， and adverse events/ adverse reactions； MKP-SOS-ETCM included six outcomes involving stiffness （including morning stiffness）， joint tenderness count， work status/ productivity， overall physician assessment， structural damage， and muscle strength. ConclusionThis study has established MKP-COS and MKP-SOS-ETCM， forming a dual-dimensional outcome assessment system integrating both disease commonality and intervention specificity.
