Self-management of chronic neck and low back pain and relevance of information provided during clinical encounters: an observational study.
Escolar-Reina P, Medina-Mirapeix F, Gascón-Cánovas JJ, Montilla-Herrador J, Valera-Garrido JF, Collins SM. Self-management of chronic neck and low back pain and relevance of information provided during clinical encounters: an observational study.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the relative influence of information provided during physical therapy on a patient's adherence to self-management strategies in relation to other predictors of adherence (patient and pain characteristics, use of self-management strategies before intervention).


METHODS
A longitudinal observational study of the relationship between the information provided during physical therapy and adherence to self-management strategies.


METHODS
Data came from a clinical-based population in 8 primary health care centers.


METHODS
Patients (N=184) with chronic neck or low back pain (77% under the age of 59y) were surveyed at the beginning and 1 month after completion of physical therapy.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
Specific and overall adherence to 2 types of strategies: (1) nonpharmacologic pain management strategies, and (2) neck/back care in activities of daily life.


RESULTS
Adherence to strategies of nonpharmacologic self-management of pain was more probable when patients received information explaining the effectiveness of the self-management strategies (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=10.1; P<.05) and information about their illness (AOR=3.4; P<.05) during clinical encounters. Information provided by the physical therapist did not have any influence on the adherence to neck/back care in activity of daily life (P>.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Information provided during clinical encounters is associated with adherence to different kinds of self-management strategies. While further study is required, it is suggested that more attention be given to clinical practice strategies for improving adherence to self-management of chronic pain.
Department of Physical Therapy, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain. pescolar@um.es
Pilar
P
Escolar-Reina
Francesc
F
Medina-Mirapeix
Juan J
JJ
Gascón-Cánovas
Joaquina
J
Montilla-Herrador
J Fermín
JF
Valera-Garrido
Sean M
SM
Collins
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D012648:Self Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult