Adherence to a home exercise programme following a clinical programme for non-acute non-specific low back pain: an exploratory study

A Qualitative Study Identifying Barriers and Enablers to Exercise Adherence in People with Chronic Low Back Pain. "It's a personal journey"

Exercise leads to clinically meaningful pain reductions in people with chronic low back pain and is recommended as a first line treatment. The benefits of exercise for chronic low back pain decrease over time with a lack of long-term exercise adherence as a potential reason for this decreasing effect. We aimed to identify the barriers and enablers to exercise adherence from the perspective of people with chronic low back pain. This qualitative study was underpinned by a constructivist epistemology and used a critical realist ontological perspective. Adults (18-65 years) with chronic low back pain who had exercised since the onset of their back pain were recruited to participate in focus groups and individual interviews. Audio data were transcribed and then analysed in 2 stages 1) inductive coding using reflexive thematic analysis, followed by 2) deductive analysis through mapping codes onto the Theoretical Domains Framework. Five enablers and 3 barriers were identified across 6 of the 14 Theoretical Domain Framework domains. Exercise identity and confidence in deciding to self-manage pain were enablers, whereas beliefs about the consequences of exercise, exercise context, and relationships could function as either barriers or enablers. These barriers and enablers were complex and fluid, with participants reporting conflicting barriers and enablers that varied, depending on context. These findings improve our understanding of the barriers and enablers to exercise adherence from the individual perspective of people with chronic low back pain and can be utilised for more effective exercise treatment in this population. PERSPECTIVE: This article presents the barriers and enablers to exercise adherence from the perspective of people with chronic low back pain. These perspectives may aid to individualise and optimise exercise treatment, improve its long-term adherence and therefore its effectiveness for chronic low back pain.

Understanding social determinants of health and physical therapy outcomes in patients with low back pain: A scoping review

BACKGROUND

Low back pain (LBP) is the number one cause of disability worldwide; however, it is not clear how social determinants of health (SDOH) impact care management and outcomes related to physical therapy (PT) services for patients with LBP.

OBJECTIVE

The purposes of this scoping review are to examine and assimilate the literature on how SDOH and PT care relate to non-specific LBP outcomes and identify gaps in the literature to target for future research.

METHODS

Data were extracted from eight electronic databases from January 2011 to February 2022. Reviewers independently screened all studies using the PRISMA extension for scoping review guidelines. Data related to study design, type of PT, type of non-specific LBP, patient demographics, PT intervention, SDOH, and PT outcomes were extracted from the articles.

RESULTS

A total of 30,523 studies were screened, with 1961 articles undergoing full text review. Ultimately, 76 articles were identified for inclusion. Sex and age were the most frequent SDOH examined (88% and 78% respectively) followed by education level (18%). Approximately half of the studies that examined age, sex, and education level identified no effect on outcomes. The number of studies examining other factors was small and the types of outcomes evaluated were variable, which limited the ability to pool results.

CONCLUSIONS

Sex and age were the most frequent SDOH examined followed by education level. Other factors were evaluated less frequently, making it difficult to draw conclusions. Study design and heterogeneity of determinants and outcomes were barriers to examining the potential impact on patients with LBP.

Disability reduction following a lumbar stabilization exercise program for low back pain: large vs. small improvement subgroup analyses of physical and psychological variables

BACKGROUND

Little is known about why patients with low back pain (LBP) respond differently to treatment, and more specifically, to a lumbar stabilization exercise program. As a first step toward answering this question, the present study evaluates how subgroups of patients who demonstrate large and small clinical improvements differ in terms of physical and psychological changes during treatment.

METHODS

Participants (n = 110) performed the exercise program (clinical sessions and home exercises) over eight weeks, with 100 retained at six-month follow-up. Physical measures (lumbar segmental instability, motor control impairments, range of motion, trunk muscle endurance and physical performance tests) were collected twice (baseline, end of treatment), while psychological measures (fear-avoidance beliefs, pain catastrophizing, psychological distress, illness perceptions, outcome expectations) were collected at four time points (baseline, mid-treatment, end of treatment, follow-up). The participants were divided into three subgroups (large, moderate and small clinical improvements) based on the change of perceived disability scores. ANOVA for repeated measure compared well-contrasted subgroups (large vs. small improvement) at different times to test for SUBGROUP × TIME interactions.

RESULTS

Statistically significant interactions were observed for several physical and psychological measures. In all these interactions, the large- and small-improvement subgroups were equivalent at baseline, but the large-improvement subgroup showed more improvements over time compared to the small-improvement subgroup. For psychological measures only (fear-avoidance beliefs, pain catastrophizing, illness perceptions), between-group differences reached moderate to strong effect sizes, at the end of treatment and follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

The large-improvement subgroup showed more improvement than the small-improvement subgroup with regard to physical factors typically targeted by this specific exercise program as well as for psychological factors that are known to influence clinical outcomes.

Contexts, behavioural mechanisms and outcomes to optimise therapeutic exercise prescription for persistent low back pain: a realist review

OBJECTIVE

Therapeutic exercises are a core treatment for low back pain (LBP), but it is uncertain how rehabilitative exercise facilitates change in outcomes. Realist reviews explore how the context (C) of certain settings or populations and underlying mechanisms (M) create intended or unintended outcomes (O). Our objective was to explore and understand the behavioural mechanisms by which therapeutic exercise creates change in outcomes of adherence, engagement and clinical outcomes for patients with LBP.

METHODS

This was a realist review reported following the Realist and Meta-narrative Evidence Syntheses: Evolving Standards guidance. We developed initial programme theories, modified with input from a steering group (experts, n=5), stakeholder group (patients and clinicians, n=10) and a scoping search of the published literature (n=37). Subsequently, an information specialist designed and undertook an iterative search strategy, and we refined and tested CMO configurations.

RESULTS

Of 522 initial papers identified, 75 papers were included to modify and test CMO configurations. We found that the patient-clinician therapeutic consultation builds a foundation of trust and was associated with improved adherence, engagement and clinical outcomes, and that individualised exercise prescription increases motivation to adhere to exercise and thus also impacts clinical outcomes. Provision of support such as timely follow-up and supervision can further facilitate motivation and confidence to improve adherence to therapeutic exercises for LBP.

CONCLUSIONS

Engagement in and adherence to therapeutic exercises for LBP, as well as clinical outcomes, may be optimised using mechanisms of trust, motivation and confidence. These CMO configurations provide a deeper understanding of ways to optimise exercise prescription for patients with LBP.

Improving Home-Based Scoliosis Therapy: Findings From a Web-Based Survey

BACKGROUND

Conservative scoliosis therapy in the form of assisted physiotherapeutic scoliosis exercises is supplemented by self-contained training at home, depending on the approach (eg, Schroth, the Scientific Exercises Approach to Scoliosis). Complex exercises, lack of awareness of the importance of training, and missing supervision by therapists often lead to uncertainty and reduced motivation, which in turn reduces the success of home-based therapy. Increasing digitalization in the health care sector offers opportunities to close this gap. However, research is needed to analyze the requirements and translate the potential of digital tools into concrete solution concepts.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential for optimizing home-based scoliosis therapy in terms of motivation, assistive devices, and digital tools.

METHODS

In collaboration with the Institute of Physiotherapy at the Jena University Hospital, a survey was initiated to address patients with scoliosis and physical therapists. A digital questionnaire was created for each target group and distributed via physiotherapies, scoliosis forums, the Bundesverband für Skoliose Selbsthilfe e. V. newsletter via a link, and a quick response code. The survey collected data on demographics, therapy, exercise habits, motivation, assistive devices, and digital tools. Descriptive statistics were used for evaluation.

RESULTS

Of 141 survey participants, 72 (51.1%; n=62, 86.1%, female; n=10, 13.9%, male) patients with scoliosis with an average age of 40 (SD 17.08) years and 30 scoliosis therapists completed the respective questionnaires. The analysis of home-based therapy showed that patients with scoliosis exercise less per week (2 times or less; 45/72, 62.5%) than they are recommended to do by therapists (at least 3 times; 53/72, 73.6%). Patients indicated that their motivation could be increased by practicing together with friends and acquaintances (54/72, 75%), a supporting therapy device (48/72, 66.7%), or a digital profile (46/72, 63.9%). The most important assistive devices, which are comparatively rarely used in home-based therapy, included balance boards (20/72, 27.8%), wall bars (23/72, 31.9%), mirrors (36/72, 50%), and long bars (40/72, 55.6%). Therapists saw the greatest benefit of digital tools for scoliosis therapy in increasing motivation (26/30, 87%), improving home therapy (25/30, 83%), monitoring therapy progress (25/30, 83%), and demonstrating exercise instructions (24/30, 80%).

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, we investigated whether there is any potential for improvement in home-based scoliosis therapy. For this purpose, using online questionnaires, we asked patients with scoliosis and therapists questions about the following topics: exercise habits, outpatient and home-based therapy, motivation, supportive devices, and digital tools. The results showed that a lack of motivation, suitable training equipment, and tools for self-control leads to a low training workload. From the perspective of the patients surveyed, this problem can be addressed through community training with friends or acquaintances, a supportive therapy device, and digital elements, such as apps, with training instructions and user profiles.

Understanding barriers to adherence to home exercise programs in patients with musculoskeletal neck pain

BACKGROUND

Home exercise program (HEP) prescription is commonplace in physical therapy (PT). Adherence to HEPs is generally poor, with non-adherence as high as 70%. Poor adherence may negatively impact outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

To (i) qualitatively assess patients' thoughts and beliefs regarding HEP performance and (ii) quantitatively define the relationship between adherence to HEPs and functional outcomes and identify variables that impact adherence.

DESIGN

Mixed-methods.

METHOD

Part 1 involved semi-structured interviews with patients attending PT for neck pain. Responses were assessed using thematic analysis. Part 2 involved a retrospective chart review of patients seen in outpatient PT for neck pain. Between-group (adherent and non-adherent) differences in functional scores were analyzed using a linear mixed model. Sex, age, and functional score data was entered into a regression model to explore their ability to predict adherence.

RESULTS

25 participants were interviewed. Qualitative analysis revealed the following themes associated with adherence to a HEP: (i) prior PT, (ii) observability of outcomes, (iii) expectations of PT, and (iv) experience of pain. Retrospective data from 187 patients was analyzed. Functional scores at discharge were significantly higher (p = 0.03, mean difference = 12.4) in the adherent group. Age (OR = 0.98; 95% CI = 0.93-1.02), male sex (OR = 1.23; 95% CI = 0.22-6.91), and functional scores at intake (OR = 0.99; 95% CI = 0.92-1.07) were not significant predictors of non-adherence.

CONCLUSIONS

Individual patient experiences such as delayed improvement in symptoms and/or experience of pain associated with HEP performance may contribute to poor adherence to HEPs. Adherence to a HEP was associated with superior functional outcomes compared to non-adherence. Age, sex, and functional scores were not predictors of non-adherence.

Activity-induced pain as a predictor of physical activity behavior among individuals with chronic pain: the role of physical activity enjoyment

Nearly 70% of adults with chronic pain experience increased pain during activity, and this may reduce enjoyment of physical activity (PA), and subsequent PA intention/behavior. The goal of this study was to examine increased pain during activity as a predictor of PA, via its effects on PA enjoyment. Participants included 178 overweight/obese midlife adults with chronic pain who completed an online prospective survey. Results indicated that greater increases in pain during activity were associated with less PA enjoyment, and, in turn, lower intention to exercise over the next week (p < 0.05). Activity-induced pain also predicted lower total volume of PA at 1-week follow-up, and this relationship was mediated by PA enjoyment (p < 0.05). These findings have the potential to inform the refinement of PA promotion interventions for individuals with chronic pain.

[Mitosis in regenerating comb row and the double-nucleated cells of Ctenophora]

Background

Conservative scoliosis therapy in the form of assisted physiotherapeutic scoliosis exercises is supplemented by self-contained training at home, depending on the approach (eg, Schroth, the Scientific Exercises Approach to Scoliosis). Complex exercises, lack of awareness of the importance of training, and missing supervision by therapists often lead to uncertainty and reduced motivation, which in turn reduces the success of home-based therapy. Increasing digitalization in the health care sector offers opportunities to close this gap. However, research is needed to analyze the requirements and translate the potential of digital tools into concrete solution concepts.

Objective

The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential for optimizing home-based scoliosis therapy in terms of motivation, assistive devices, and digital tools.

Methods

In collaboration with the Institute of Physiotherapy at the Jena University Hospital, a survey was initiated to address patients with scoliosis and physical therapists. A digital questionnaire was created for each target group and distributed via physiotherapies, scoliosis forums, the Bundesverband für Skoliose Selbsthilfe e. V. newsletter via a link, and a quick response code. The survey collected data on demographics, therapy, exercise habits, motivation, assistive devices, and digital tools. Descriptive statistics were used for evaluation.

Results

Of 141 survey participants, 72 (51.1%; n=62, 86.1%, female; n=10, 13.9%, male) patients with scoliosis with an average age of 40 (SD 17.08) years and 30 scoliosis therapists completed the respective questionnaires. The analysis of home-based therapy showed that patients with scoliosis exercise less per week (2 times or less; 45/72, 62.5%) than they are recommended to do by therapists (at least 3 times; 53/72, 73.6%). Patients indicated that their motivation could be increased by practicing together with friends and acquaintances (54/72, 75%), a supporting therapy device (48/72, 66.7%), or a digital profile (46/72, 63.9%). The most important assistive devices, which are comparatively rarely used in home-based therapy, included balance boards (20/72, 27.8%), wall bars (23/72, 31.9%), mirrors (36/72, 50%), and long bars (40/72, 55.6%). Therapists saw the greatest benefit of digital tools for scoliosis therapy in increasing motivation (26/30, 87%), improving home therapy (25/30, 83%), monitoring therapy progress (25/30, 83%), and demonstrating exercise instructions (24/30, 80%).

Conclusions

In this study, we investigated whether there is any potential for improvement in home-based scoliosis therapy. For this purpose, using online questionnaires, we asked patients with scoliosis and therapists questions about the following topics: exercise habits, outpatient and home-based therapy, motivation, supportive devices, and digital tools. The results showed that a lack of motivation, suitable training equipment, and tools for self-control leads to a low training workload. From the perspective of the patients surveyed, this problem can be addressed through community training with friends or acquaintances, a supportive therapy device, and digital elements, such as apps, with training instructions and user profiles.