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scientific_writer/.claude/skills/treatment-plans/references/intervention_guidelines.md

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+# Evidence-Based Intervention Guidelines
+
+## Overview
+
+This reference provides comprehensive guidance on selecting, implementing, and documenting evidence-based interventions across pharmacological, non-pharmacological, and procedural treatment modalities. These guidelines support treatment plan development with current best practices and clinical recommendations.
+
+## Evidence Hierarchy
+
+### Levels of Evidence
+
+**Level I: Highest Quality**
+- Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
+- Large multi-center RCTs
+
+**Level II: High Quality**
+- Individual RCTs
+- Systematic reviews of observational studies
+
+**Level III: Moderate Quality**
+- Cohort studies
+- Case-control studies
+- Well-designed observational studies
+
+**Level IV: Lower Quality**
+- Case series
+- Case reports
+- Expert opinion
+
+**Recommendation Strength**:
+- **Grade A**: Strong recommendation, high-quality evidence
+- **Grade B**: Moderate recommendation, moderate-quality evidence  
+- **Grade C**: Weak recommendation, low-quality evidence
+- **Grade D**: Recommendation against (evidence of harm or no benefit)
+
+## Pharmacological Interventions
+
+### Medication Selection Principles
+
+#### 1. Evidence-Based Prescribing
+- Use medications with proven efficacy for indication
+- Follow clinical practice guidelines
+- Consider comparative effectiveness data
+- Prefer medications with better safety profiles when equivalent efficacy
+
+#### 2. Patient-Specific Factors
+- Comorbidities and contraindications
+- Organ function (renal, hepatic)
+- Drug allergies and intolerances
+- Concurrent medications (drug interactions)
+- Age, pregnancy status
+- Genetic factors (pharmacogenomics when available)
+- Cost and insurance coverage
+
+#### 3. Medication Safety
+- Start low, go slow (especially in elderly, multiple comorbidities)
+- Titrate to target dose based on response and tolerance
+- Monitor for adverse effects
+- Avoid potentially inappropriate medications (Beers Criteria for elderly)
+- Polypharmacy reduction when possible
+
+### Common Medication Classes by Indication
+
+#### Hypertension
+
+**First-Line Agents** (per JNC-8, ACC/AHA guidelines):
+- **ACE Inhibitors** (lisinopril, enalapril): Preferred if diabetes, CKD, or heart failure
+- **ARBs** (losartan, valsartan): Alternative to ACE if intolerant
+- **Calcium Channel Blockers** (amlodipine): Particularly effective in elderly, Black patients
+- **Thiazide Diuretics** (chlorthalidone, HCTZ): Cost-effective, good CV outcomes
+
+**Dosing Strategy**:
+- Start single agent at low dose
+- Titrate to maximum tolerated dose before adding second agent
+- Combination therapy often needed (2-3 agents)
+- Monitor BP response, adjust every 2-4 weeks
+
+#### Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
+
+**First-Line** (ADA Standards of Care):
+- **Metformin**: First-line for all patients unless contraindicated (eGFR <30)
+  - Start 500-850mg daily or BID, titrate to 2000mg total daily
+
+**Second-Line** (individualize based on comorbidities):
+- **SGLT2 Inhibitors** (empagliflozin, dapagliflozin): If heart failure or CKD (strong cardio-renal benefits)
+- **GLP-1 Receptor Agonists** (semaglutide, dulaglutide): If ASCVD or high risk, weight loss needed
+- **DPP-4 Inhibitors** (sitagliptin): If low hypoglycemia risk desired
+- **Sulfonylureas** (glipizide): Cost-effective but hypoglycemia risk
+- **Insulin**: If HbA1c very elevated ($>$10%) or symptoms of hyperglycemia
+
+#### Depression
+
+**First-Line SSRIs** (APA guidelines):
+- Sertraline, escitalopram, fluoxetine, citalopram, paroxetine
+- Start low (e.g., sertraline 50mg, escitalopram 10mg)
+- Titrate after 2-4 weeks if partial response
+- Full trial: 6-8 weeks at therapeutic dose
+- Continue 6-12 months after remission (longer if recurrent)
+
+**Second-Line**:
+- **SNRIs** (venlafaxine, duloxetine): Especially if chronic pain comorbidity
+- **Bupropion**: If sexual dysfunction concern, smoking cessation
+- **Mirtazapine**: If insomnia/appetite stimulation needed
+
+**Augmentation** (if partial response):
+- Second antidepressant from different class
+- Atypical antipsychotic (aripiprazole, quetiapine) - FDA-approved augmentation
+- Lithium, thyroid hormone (triiodothyronine)
+
+#### Chronic Pain
+
+**Multimodal Analgesia** (WHO Pain Ladder, CDC Opioid Guidelines):
+
+**Non-Opioid Analgesics**:
+- **Acetaminophen**: 3-4g/day divided, safe if liver function normal
+- **NSAIDs**: Ibuprofen, naproxen, meloxicam - short-term or chronic with GI protection
+  - Monitor: Renal function, BP, GI bleeding risk
+
+**Adjuvant Analgesics for Neuropathic Pain**:
+- **Gabapentin**: 300mg titrated to 1800-3600mg/day divided TID
+- **Pregabalin**: 75mg BID titrated to 150-300mg BID (better bioavailability than gabapentin)
+- **SNRIs** (duloxetine): 60mg daily for diabetic neuropathy, chronic MSK pain
+- **TCAs** (amitriptyline, nortriptyline): Low-dose (10-75mg QHS) - second-line due to side effects
+
+**Topical Agents**:
+- Lidocaine patches 5%, diclofenac gel, capsaicin cream
+- Local effect, minimal systemic absorption
+
+**Opioids** (CDC guidelines - use cautiously):
+- Only after non-opioid multimodal therapies inadequate
+- Lowest effective dose, short-acting preferred initially
+- Avoid $>$90 MME/day if possible
+- UDS, PDMP monitoring, naloxone co-prescription
+- Reassess frequently, taper if not meeting functional goals
+
+#### Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction (HFrEF)
+
+**Guideline-Directed Medical Therapy (GDMT)** - "Foundational Four":
+
+1. **ACE Inhibitor or ARB or ARNI**
+   - ACE: Lisinopril 20-40mg daily, enalapril 10-20mg BID
+   - ARNI (Sacubitril/Valsartan): 24/26mg BID → 97/103mg BID (superior to ACE/ARB)
+   - Monitor: BP, renal function, potassium
+
+2. **Beta-Blocker**
+   - Carvedilol 3.125-6.25mg BID → 25mg BID (target)
+   - Metoprolol succinate 12.5-25mg daily → 200mg daily
+   - Bisoprolol 1.25mg → 10mg daily
+   - Titrate slowly, monitor HR, BP
+
+3. **Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonist (MRA)**
+   - Spironolactone 12.5-25mg daily (up to 50mg)
+   - Eplerenone 25mg daily → 50mg daily
+   - Monitor: Potassium, renal function (risk hyperkalemia)
+
+4. **SGLT2 Inhibitor**
+   - Dapagliflozin 10mg daily or empagliflozin 10mg daily
+   - Reduces HF hospitalizations and mortality
+   - Also beneficial for diabetes and CKD
+
+**Additional Therapies**:
+- Loop diuretic (furosemide) for volume management (not mortality benefit)
+- Hydralazine-isosorbide dinitrate (if African American or intolerant to ACE/ARB)
+- Ivabradine (if EF $\leq$35%, HR $>$70 on max beta-blocker)
+- Digoxin (symptomatic benefit, reduce hospitalizations)
+
+### Medication Documentation Best Practices
+
+**Include in Treatment Plan**:
+- Generic name (brand name optional)
+- Dose, route, frequency
+- Indication/rationale
+- Titration plan if applicable
+- Expected timeline for benefit
+- Key side effects to monitor
+- Drug interactions
+- When to adjust or discontinue
+
+**Example**: "Lisinopril 10mg PO daily - ACE inhibitor for hypertension and renal protection in diabetes. Titrate to 20mg in 2-4 weeks if BP not at goal and tolerating (monitor for cough, hyperkalemia). Target BP <130/80."
+
+## Non-Pharmacological Interventions
+
+### Lifestyle Modifications
+
+#### Diet and Nutrition
+
+**Mediterranean Diet** (Evidence: multiple RCTs, PREDIMED trial):
+- **Indications**: Cardiovascular disease prevention, diabetes management
+- **Components**:
+  - High intake: Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, olive oil
+  - Moderate: Fish, poultry
+  - Low: Red meat, sweets
+- **Evidence**: Reduces cardiovascular events by 30%, improves glucose control
+- **Implementation**: Dietitian referral for medical nutrition therapy
+
+**DASH Diet** (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension):
+- **Indication**: Hypertension
+- **Components**: High fruits/vegetables, low-fat dairy, reduced sodium (<2300mg, ideally <1500mg)
+- **Evidence**: Reduces SBP by 8-14 mmHg
+- **Implementation**: DASH eating plan education, sodium tracking
+
+**Carbohydrate Counting** (for Diabetes):
+- Consistent carbohydrate intake: 45-60g per meal
+- Enables insulin dosing adjustment
+- Prevents glycemic variability
+- Dietitian teaches carb counting skills
+
+**Weight Management**:
+- Caloric deficit: 500-750 kcal/day for 1-2 lb/week weight loss
+- Behavior change strategies: Self-monitoring, stimulus control, goal-setting
+- Structured programs (Weight Watchers, MOVE!, etc.) more effective than self-directed
+- Pharmacotherapy (GLP-1 agonists, orlistat) or bariatric surgery for BMI $\geq$30-35 with comorbidities
+
+#### Physical Activity and Exercise
+
+**Aerobic Exercise**:
+- **Recommendation**: 150 min/week moderate intensity OR 75 min/week vigorous
+- **Moderate**: Brisk walking, cycling, swimming - can talk but not sing
+- **Vigorous**: Running, fast cycling - can say few words before pause
+- **Benefits**: Cardiovascular health, glucose control, weight management, mood
+- **Implementation**: Start with 10 min sessions, gradually increase
+
+**Resistance Training**:
+- **Recommendation**: 2-3 sessions/week, all major muscle groups
+- **Benefits**: Muscle strength, bone density, metabolic rate, glucose control
+- **Implementation**: Bodyweight exercises, resistance bands, free weights, machines
+
+**Balance and Flexibility**:
+- Important for fall prevention in elderly
+- Yoga, tai chi
+- Stretching routines
+
+**Exercise Prescription**:
+- FITT principle: **F**requency, **I**ntensity, **T**ime, **T**ype
+- Individualize based on fitness level, comorbidities, goals
+- Cardiac clearance if indicated (using ACSM or ACC/AHA guidelines)
+
+**Example**: "Aerobic exercise: Walk 30 minutes, 5 days/week at moderate intensity (target HR 50-70% max). Resistance training: Upper and lower body exercises 2x/week, 2 sets of 10-12 reps."
+
+#### Smoking Cessation
+
+**Evidence**: Strongest intervention for COPD, cardiovascular disease, cancer prevention
+
+**5 A's Approach**:
+1. **Ask**: Screen all patients for tobacco use
+2. **Advise**: Urge all tobacco users to quit
+3. **Assess**: Willingness to make quit attempt
+4. **Assist**: Aid in quitting (counseling + medication)
+5. **Arrange**: Follow-up contact
+
+**Pharmacotherapy** (doubles quit rates):
+- **Nicotine Replacement**: Patch, gum, lozenge - OTC, safe
+- **Varenicline**: Most effective (Chantix), start 1 week before quit date
+- **Bupropion**: Alternative, also treats depression
+- **Combination**: NRT + varenicline/bupropion more effective
+
+**Counseling**:
+- Quitline: 1-800-QUIT-NOW
+- Individual or group counseling
+- Cognitive-behavioral techniques
+
+**Implementation**: Set quit date within 30 days, prescribe pharmacotherapy + counseling referral, follow up within 1 week of quit date.
+
+#### Sleep Hygiene
+
+**Indications**: Insomnia, poor sleep quality
+
+**Components**:
+- Consistent sleep-wake schedule (same bedtime/wake time)
+- Bedroom: Dark, quiet, cool (60-67°F)
+- Avoid: Caffeine after 2 PM, alcohol, large meals before bed
+- Screen time: Stop 1 hour before bed
+- Wind-down routine: Reading, bath, relaxation
+- Use bed only for sleep (not TV, work)
+- If can't sleep after 20 min, get up and do quiet activity
+
+**Evidence**: Effective for chronic insomnia, often combined with CBT for insomnia (CBT-I)
+
+#### Stress Management
+
+**Techniques**:
+- **Mindfulness meditation**: 10-20 min daily, reduces anxiety, depression
+- **Progressive muscle relaxation**: Systematic tensing and relaxing muscle groups
+- **Deep breathing**: Diaphragmatic breathing, 4-7-8 technique
+- **Yoga, tai chi**: Mind-body practices
+- **Cognitive restructuring**: Challenge stress-inducing thoughts
+
+**Evidence**: Reduces stress hormones, improves mood, pain perception
+
+### Behavioral Interventions
+
+#### Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
+
+**Indications**: Depression, anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain, substance use
+
+**Core Components**:
+- Psychoeducation
+- Cognitive restructuring (identify and challenge distorted thoughts)
+- Behavioral activation (increase rewarding activities)
+- Problem-solving skills
+- Relapse prevention
+
+**Evidence**: Equivalent to antidepressants for mild-moderate depression, first-line for anxiety, insomnia
+
+**Implementation**: 12-16 weekly 50-min sessions with trained therapist, homework between sessions
+
+**Variants**:
+- **CBT-I** (insomnia): Sleep restriction, stimulus control, cognitive therapy for sleep
+- **CBT-CP** (chronic pain): Pain education, activity pacing, cognitive restructuring of pain catastrophizing
+
+#### Motivational Interviewing (MI)
+
+**Indication**: Ambivalence about behavior change (diet, exercise, substance use, medication adherence)
+
+**Principles**:
+- Express empathy
+- Develop discrepancy (between current behavior and goals/values)
+- Roll with resistance (don't argue)
+- Support self-efficacy
+
+**Techniques**:
+- Open-ended questions
+- Affirmations
+- Reflective listening
+- Summarizing
+- Elicit "change talk"
+
+**Evidence**: Effective for initiating behavior change in multiple domains
+
+### Patient Education and Self-Management
+
+**Components**:
+- Disease education (pathophysiology, natural history, treatment)
+- Self-monitoring skills (blood glucose, BP, weight, symptoms)
+- Medication management (purpose, dosing, side effects)
+- Symptom recognition and action plans
+- Lifestyle modification skills
+- Problem-solving
+- When to seek care
+
+**Evidence**: Self-management education improves outcomes in diabetes, asthma, heart failure, chronic pain
+
+**Delivery**:
+- Individual education by clinician or educator
+- Structured programs (DSMES for diabetes, cardiac rehab for heart disease)
+- Group classes
+- Written materials, videos, apps
+
+## Procedural and Interventional Therapies
+
+### Rehabilitation Therapies
+
+#### Physical Therapy
+
+**Indications**: Musculoskeletal injuries, post-surgical rehabilitation, balance/gait disorders, chronic pain
+
+**Interventions**:
+- Therapeutic exercise: Strengthening, stretching, endurance
+- Manual therapy: Soft tissue mobilization, joint mobilization
+- Gait and balance training
+- Modalities: Heat, ice, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, TENS
+- Functional training: ADL retraining, body mechanics
+
+**Evidence**: Strong evidence for specific conditions (e.g., PT for knee OA reduces pain and improves function equivalent to NSAIDs)
+
+**Prescription**: Frequency (e.g., 2-3x/week), duration (e.g., 4-8 weeks), specific interventions/goals
+
+#### Occupational Therapy
+
+**Indications**: ADL limitations, upper extremity dysfunction, cognitive-perceptual deficits, work-related injuries
+
+**Interventions**:
+- ADL/IADL training
+- Adaptive equipment and environmental modifications
+- Upper extremity strengthening and coordination
+- Energy conservation techniques
+- Cognitive rehabilitation
+- Work hardening/conditioning
+
+**Evidence**: Improves independence post-stroke, post-injury, with chronic conditions
+
+#### Speech-Language Pathology
+
+**Indications**: Dysphagia, aphasia, dysarthria, cognitive-communication disorders
+
+**Interventions**:
+- Swallow therapy and diet modifications
+- Language therapy (aphasia)
+- Articulation therapy
+- Cognitive-linguistic therapy
+- Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)
+
+### Interventional Pain Procedures
+
+#### Epidural Steroid Injections (ESI)
+
+**Indication**: Radicular pain from disc herniation or spinal stenosis
+
+**Evidence**: Moderate-quality evidence for short-term pain relief (3-6 weeks to 3 months), variable long-term benefit
+
+**Approach**: Fluoroscopy-guided, transforaminal, interlaminar, or caudal
+
+**Frequency**: Up to 3-4 injections per year
+
+**Risks**: Infection, bleeding, nerve injury (rare), dural puncture
+
+#### Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)
+
+**Indication**: Facet joint-mediated pain (after positive diagnostic medial branch blocks)
+
+**Evidence**: Good evidence for lumbar facet pain relief for 6-12 months
+
+**Procedure**: Thermal lesioning of medial branch nerves supplying facet joints
+
+**Repeatable**: Can repeat when pain returns
+
+#### Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS)
+
+**Indication**: Refractory chronic neuropathic pain (failed back surgery syndrome, CRPS, diabetic neuropathy)
+
+**Evidence**: 50-60% achieve $\geq$50% pain relief, improves function
+
+**Procedure**: Trial lead placement (5-7 days), if successful → permanent implant
+
+**Technologies**: Traditional, high-frequency, burst stimulation, dorsal root ganglion (DRG)
+
+### Surgical Interventions
+
+**When to Refer for Surgery**:
+- Failed conservative management (adequate trial - typically 6-12 weeks minimum)
+- Progressive neurologic deficit
+- Cauda equina syndrome (emergency)
+- Severe functional limitation affecting quality of life
+- Structural pathology amenable to surgical correction
+- Patient preference after risks/benefits discussion
+
+**Shared Decision-Making**: Discuss operative vs. non-operative management, risks, benefits, expected outcomes, recovery
+
+## Integrative and Complementary Therapies
+
+### Acupuncture
+
+**Evidence**:
+- **Moderate evidence** for chronic low back pain, osteoarthritis knee pain, tension headaches, migraine
+- **Mechanism**: Unclear (endorphin release, gate control theory, placebo)
+
+**Implementation**: 8-12 sessions by licensed acupuncturist
+
+### Massage Therapy
+
+**Evidence**: Modest benefit for chronic low back pain, anxiety, cancer-related symptoms
+
+**Types**: Swedish, deep tissue, myofascial release
+
+**Implementation**: 1-2x/week, 30-60 min sessions
+
+### Yoga
+
+**Evidence**: Improves back pain, balance, flexibility, reduces stress and anxiety
+
+**Types**: Hatha (gentle), Vinyasa (flowing), Iyengar (alignment-focused)
+
+**Implementation**: Group classes or home practice, 2-3x/week
+
+### Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
+
+**Evidence**: Reduces stress, anxiety, depression, chronic pain
+
+**Program**: 8-week structured program, weekly 2.5-hour sessions, daily home practice
+
+**Components**: Meditation, body scan, mindful movement (yoga)
+
+### Chiropractic Care
+
+**Evidence**: Effective for acute and chronic low back pain, neck pain
+
+**Techniques**: Spinal manipulation, mobilization, soft tissue therapy
+
+**Safety**: Generally safe, avoid high-velocity manipulation if osteoporosis, spinal instability
+
+## Intervention Selection and Documentation
+
+### Treatment Algorithm Approach
+
+1. **Diagnosis-Specific**: Follow evidence-based guidelines for condition
+2. **Severity-Appropriate**: Mild → conservative; severe → aggressive
+3. **Stepwise Intensification**: Start with first-line, add or switch if inadequate response
+4. **Multimodal**: Combine complementary interventions (pharmacologic + non-pharmacologic)
+5. **Individualized**: Adjust for patient factors (comorbidities, preferences, resources)
+
+### Documentation Template
+
+For each intervention, document:
+- **Intervention**: Specific name/type
+- **Indication**: Why this intervention for this patient
+- **Evidence**: Guideline-based, RCT data supporting use
+- **Dose/Frequency/Duration**: Specific parameters
+- **Expected Benefit**: What should improve, by how much, when
+- **Monitoring**: How will response be assessed
+- **Risks/Side Effects**: Key concerns to monitor
+- **Alternatives Considered**: What else was considered, why not chosen
+
+---
+
+**Document Version**: 1.0  
+**Last Updated**: January 2025  
+**Next Review**: January 2026
+