Health locus of control beliefs and psychological distress as predictors for treatment outcome in low-back pain patients: results of a 3-month follow-up of a controlled intervention study.
Association of health locus of control beliefs (HLC) and psychological distress (GHQ-12) with short-term outcome of low-back pain (LBP) rehabilitation was studied in patients with chronic or recurrent LBP (n = 459; aged 35-54 years; 63% men). These patients were randomly assigned to 3 study groups, namely the inpatient, the outpatient and the control group. The results showed a significant decrease in disability due to LBP in the 2 treated groups; in addition, the accomplishment and frequency of back exercises was significantly better in the treated groups. HLC beliefs were associated with a successful outcome; those patients with stronger internal beliefs had gained more from the treatment, had learned their exercises better and had done the exercises more frequently during the follow-up period. Symptoms of psychological distress were significantly associated with poorer accomplishment of back exercises.
Härkäpää
Kristiina
K
Rehabilitation Foundation, SF-00410 HelsinkiFinland.
Järvikoski
Aila
A
Mellin
Guy
G
Hurri
Heikki
H
Luoma
Jarmo
J
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001416:Back Pain / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires