An internet-based approach to enhance self-managementof chronic low back pain in the italian-speaking population of Switzerland: results from a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
To illustrate the development and pilot evaluation of a website designed to enhance self-management of chronic low back pain for the Italian-speaking population of Switzerland.


METHODS
20 patients affected by chronic low back pain used a website--specifically created for the project--for a period of five months, under the monitoring of a team of health professionals. Evaluation was carried out by means of a telephone questionnaire administered at baseline and at the end of the intervention, and intermediate online user-testing performed in the fourth month of the intervention. A control group of 15 patients was created to assist the evaluation.


RESULTS
Compared to the control group, results from the pilot evaluation suggest a decrease in the intensity of back pain in people with access to the website; an increase in physical activity; a reduction in both medical consultation and the use of painkillers, and a gain in declarative and procedural knowledge. This coincides with a general positive assessment of the website.


CONCLUSIONS
The study supports the need to test the proposed approach on a wider scale.
Schulz
Peter Johannes
PJ
Institute of Communication and Health, School of Communication Sciences, University of Lugano, Lugano, Switzerland. peter.schulz@lu.unisi.ch
Rubinell
Sara
S
Hartung
Uwe
U
D015444:Exercise; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D012803:Sick Role; D012944:Social Support; D012984:Software; D013557:Switzerland