Correction to: Pain Ther 10.1007/s40122-022-00419-4
In the sentence beginning ‘The panelists strongly agreed that HT may be indicated…’ in this article, the value ‘91%’ should have read ‘93%’. The correct sentence should have read:
The panelists strongly agreed that HT may be indicated in non-specific low back pain (95%) and chronic nociceptive pain (93%), whereas it is not indicated in acute inflammatory joint pain (95%).
In Table 2 of this article, the data in the section headed ‘Time and modalities of heat treatment,’ the values were mistakenly listed under each row. The correct Table 2 should have read:
Table 2.
Delphi results
| Topics | Disagreement (score 1–2) (%) | Agreement (score 3–5) (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanism of action of heat on muscle | ||
| (1.1) Heat application activates temperature-sensitive nerve endings (thermoreceptors), which in turn initiate signals that block the processing of pain signals | 9 | 91 |
| (1.2) The pressure used to apply some superficial heat therapy may activate proprioceptors, which in turn block the processing of nociceptive signals | 25 | 75 |
| (1.3) Heat can contribute to the healing process | 9 | 91 |
| (1.4) Heat can improve muscle flexibility | 5 | 95 |
| (1.5) Supplemental heat can improve muscle strength during physical activity | 37 | 63 |
| (1.6) Heat increases blood flow and metabolism | 0 | 100 |
| Types of musculoskeletal pain eligible for heat treatment | ||
| (2.1) Superficial heat therapy may be indicated in non-specific low back pain | 5 | 95 |
| (2.2) Superficial heat therapy may be indicated in acute nociceptive musculoskeletal pain (neck or knee pain) | 34 | 66 |
| (2.3) Superficial heat therapy may be indicated in chronic nociceptive musculoskeletal pain (neck or knee pain) | 7 | 93 |
| (2.4) Superficial heat therapy may be indicated in tendinosis | 20 | 80 |
| (2.5) Superficial heat therapy may be indicated in delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) | 17 | 83 |
| (2.6) Superficial heat therapy may be indicated in osteoarthritis | 22 | 78 |
| (2.7) Superficial heat therapy may be indicated in mechanical pain | 17 | 83 |
| (2.8) Superficial heat therapy may be indicated in strain and sprain during the chronic phase of rehabilitation (or after the acute phase of rehabilitation) | 14 | 86 |
| (2.9) Superficial heat therapy is not indicated in acute inflammatory joint pain | 5 | 95 |
| Efficacy of heat therapy | ||
| (3.1) Superficial heat therapy improves daily living activities | 22 | 78 |
| (3.2) Superficial heat therapy can reduce disability in low back pain | 13 | 87 |
| (3.3) Superficial heat therapy has a short-term effect on pain relief | 8 | 92 |
| (3.4) Superficial heat therapy can contribute to a long-term effect if integrated in a multimodal approach to pain | 12 | 88 |
| (3.5) Superficial heat therapy can reduce the need of analgesics | 7 | 93 |
| (3.6) Superficial heat therapy can prevent worsening of low back pain | 30 | 70 |
| Time and modalities of heat treatment | ||
| (4.1) In non-specific low back pain: | ||
| (4.1.1) Superficial heat therapy may be used alone in some patients with mild acute or chronic pain | 34 | 66 |
| (4.1.2) Superficial heat therapy is more effective if applied early in acute low back pain | 34 | 66 |
| (4.1.3) Superficial heat therapy should be used in association with analgesics in moderate-severe acute and chronic pain | 12 | 88 |
| (4.2) In neck pain: | ||
| (4.2.1) Superficial heat therapy may be used alone in some patients with mild acute and chronic pain | 32 | 68 |
| (4.2.2) Superficial heat therapy should be used in association with analgesics in moderate-severe acute and chronic pain | 17 | 83 |
| (4.3) In osteoarthritis: | ||
| (4.3.1) Superficial heat therapy may be used alone in some patients with mild acute and chronic pain | 43 | 57 |
| (4.3.2) Superficial heat therapy should be used in association with analgesics in moderate-severe acute and chronic pain | 22 | 78 |
| (4.3.3) Superficial heat therapy can be used alone or as an adjuvant therapy in osteoarthritis | 29 | 71 |
| (4.3.4) Superficial Heat therapy is more effective if associated with kinesiotherapy/exercise | 10 | 90 |
| Maximizing compliance to heat therapy | ||
| (5.1) Superficial heat therapy can be used as self-help with caution in mild pain | 5 | 95 |
| (5.2) Superficial heat therapy should not be used as self-help in moderate-severe pain | 49 | 51 |
| (5.3) Superficial heat therapy should not be self-prescribed in uninvestigated recurrent pain | 11 | 89 |
| (5.4) Superficial heat therapy should not be discontinued right after the resolution of pain | 42 | 58 |
| (5.5) Patients using superficial heat therapy should avoid overexertion | 29 | 71 |
| (5.6) Heat wraps are well tolerated by the patients | 7 | 93 |
| Safety of heat therapy (based on heat wraps) | ||
| (6.1) Superficial Heat therapy has fewer side effects than pharmacological treatment | 11 | 89 |
| (6.2) Heat wraps have a good safety profile | 7 | 93 |
| (6.3) Compared to other types of superficial heat therapy, heat wraps have a minor risk of burns | 18 | 82 |
| (6.4) Heat wraps are safe also for night use | 41 | 59 |
| (6.5) Caution is required in subjects with active autoimmune diseases, cancer, active osteoarthritis, neurological diseases (multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spinal injuries), zoster and skin inflammatory conditions and circulation defects | 4 | 96 |
| (6.6) Skin integrity is required for superficial heat therapy | 3 | 97 |
| (6.7) The ideal temperature in superficial heat therapy, regarding efficacy and safety, is approximately 40 °C | 5 | 95 |
| Wrong beliefs and common errors in the prescription of heat therapy | ||
| (7.1) Superficial heat therapy can be used also for dysmenorrhea | 22 | 78 |
| (7.2) Superficial heat therapy can be used to prevent any pain associated to atmospheric pressure changes | 61 | 39 |
| (7.3) Superficial heat therapy can be used to avoid joint deterioration | 74 | 26 |
| (7.4) The higher the temperature reached by the superficial heat therapy, the better the effect | 79 | 21 |
| (7.5) The time needed to increase the temperature of deep tissue depends on the subcutaneous fat thickness | 20 | 80 |
| Role of heat therapy as a prevention of muscular damage in athletes | ||
| (8.1) Application of superficial heat therapy 4 h before exercise can help to prevent pain and muscular injuries | 54 | 46 |
| (8.2) Application of superficial heat therapy after intense exercise can prevent pain | 49 | 51 |
| (8.3) Superficial heat therapy is comparable to stretching in the prevention of muscular damage | 64 | 36 |
| (8.4) Superficial heat therapy is better than cold therapy when applied after exercise | 68 | 32 |
| (8.5) Superficial heat therapy can help to enhance range of movement and flexibility | 8 | 92 |
| (8.6) Superficial heat therapy can reduce pain before the application of any other therapy | 29 | 71 |
The original article has been corrected.