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Spine

SELF-MANAGEMENT SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE WITH NON-SPECIFIC LOW BACK PAIN: A QUALITATIVE SURVEY AMONG PHYSIOTHERAPISTS AND EXERCISE THERAPISTS

The Society for Back Pain Research (SBPR) Annual General Meeting, ‘PANNING FOR GOLD’ 50+ Anniversary Meeting, Coventry, England, 30 June – 1 July 2022.



Abstract

Background

Low back pain (LBP) is a major problem across the globe and is the leading cause worldwide of years lost to disability. Self-management is considered an important component the treatment of people with non-specific LBP. However, it seems that the self-management support for people with non-specific LBP provided by physiotherapists can be improved. Moreover, the way exercise therapists (ET) address self-management in practice is unknown.

Purpose

To investigate the ideas, opinions and methods used by physiotherapists and ET with regard to self-management and providing self-management support to patients with non-specific LBP.

Methods

This study was a qualitative survey. An online questionnaire with open-ended questions was developed. The survey was conducted among physiotherapists and ET working in the Netherlands. Data was analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Respondents considered self-management support an important topic in physiotherapy and exercise therapy for people with non-specific LBP. In the self-management support provided by the respondents, providing information and advice were frequently mentioned. The topics included in the support given by the respondents covered a broad range of important factors. The topics frequently focused on biomechanical factors. Therapists mainly provided patient education rather than self-management support. Moreover, important self-management skills were generally not addressed sufficiently. The majority of respondents had a need with regard to self-management or providing self-management support. These needs include having more knowledge, skills and tools aimed at facilitating self-management.

Conclusion

The way physiotherapists and ET address self-management in people with non-specific LBP is not optimal and should be improved.

Conflicts of interest: No conflicts of interest

Sources of funding: No funding obtained

Previous publication: This work was published in a scientific journal: Hutting N, Oswald W, Staal JB, Heerkens YF. Self-management support for people with non-specific low back pain: A qualitative survey among physiotherapists and exercise therapists. Musculoskelet Sci Pract. 2020 Dec; 50:102269. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2020.102269. This work was never presented at a conference.


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