Back Pain Survey

Purpose: The primary objective of this study was to survey the knowledge of low back pain (LBP) and physical activity with LBP among those prescribing or delivering physical activity in the community. The secondary objective was to survey their confidence in prescribing physical activity in general as well as their knowledge, attitudes, and practices for promoting physical activity for patients with LBP. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was administered to physiotherapists and physical trainers involved in the delivery of exercise programs in Hamilton, Ontario. One demographic survey and two sets of questionnaires (one for physiotherapists and another version for trainers) were developed to collect data. Data was collected using a modified version of a questionnaire that evaluates knowledge of physical activity guidelines for prescribing physical activity and knowledge of barriers and enablers to exercise, participant’s knowledge of LBP was assessed using the validated Back Beliefs Questionnaire (BBQ), and items from the Örebro LBP screening questionnaire (Örebro) were adapted to evaluate psychological beliefs associated with back pain. Results: A total of 14 (35.9%) physiotherapists and 25 (64.1%) physical trainers completed the survey. Our results demonstrated that both physiotherapists and trainers often assessed their client’s physical activity and were aware of the current Canadian guidelines for physical activity. When prescribing physical activity, physiotherapists and trainers often use tools such as action planning and goal setting, while trainers were more likely to use wearable devices to track physical activity. Both groups demonstrated high confidence in prescribing physical activity, although the perceived exercise intensity that constitutes physical activity was different between groups. Specifically, physiotherapists often agree that a lower intensity of physical activity is enough to meet physical activity recommendations, despite the recommended intensity being moderate physical activity in the current Canadian guidelines. Surprisingly, lack of time and beliefs of patients were not seen as barriers to physical activity promotion. In general, both groups believe that group sessions are not feasible within the context of promoting physical activity, although many community programs are delivered in this format. The results showed that trainers had more pessimistic beliefs about the consequences of LBP compared to physiotherapists. Trainers also had more negative beliefs and attitudes about LBP. The findings may indicate the need for developing a structured education program to improve the attitudes, beliefs, and knowledge of those delivering physical activity programs to patients with LBP in the community to improve the uptake of physical activity in this patient group.

目的：本研究的主要目标是调查在社区中负责或提供运动活动的专业人员对腰背痛（LBP）及与运动活动相关的知识。次要目标是对他们开具一般运动活动的信心，以及他们在促进腰背痛患者运动活动方面的知识、态度和实践进行调查。方法：对在安大略省汉密尔顿提供运动项目的物理治疗师和健身教练进行了横断面调查。开发了包含一项人口统计学调查和两套问卷（一套用于物理治疗师，另一套用于教练）的数据收集工具。数据收集使用的是对评估开具运动活动指导方针知识以及运动障碍和促进因素的问卷进行了修改的版本。使用经过验证的背部信念问卷（BBQ）评估参与者的腰背痛知识，并将Örebro腰背痛筛查问卷（Örebro）的内容改编以评估与腰背痛相关的心理信念。结果：共有14名（35.9%）物理治疗师和25名（64.1%）健身教练完成了调查。我们的结果显示，物理治疗师和教练通常都会评估其客户的运动活动，并了解当前加拿大运动活动指南。在开具运动活动处方时，物理治疗师和教练通常使用行动计划和目标设定等工具，而教练更可能使用可穿戴设备来追踪运动活动。两组都对开具运动活动表现出高度的信心，尽管两组认为构成运动活动的运动强度感知存在差异。具体而言，物理治疗师通常认为较低强度的运动活动足以满足运动活动推荐量，尽管当前加拿大指南中建议的运动强度为中等强度。令人惊讶的是，缺乏时间和患者的信念并未被视为促进运动活动的障碍。总的来说，两组都认为在促进运动活动的背景下，团体课程并不可行，尽管许多社区项目都是以此种格式进行的。结果显示，与物理治疗师相比，教练对腰背痛后果的悲观信念更为强烈。教练对腰背痛的负面信念和态度也更为消极。这些发现可能表明，有必要开发一个结构化的教育项目，以提高社区中为腰背痛患者提供运动活动项目的人员的态度、信念和知识，以改善该患者群体运动活动的参与度。