title: De-educate to re-educate: aging and low back pain.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patients' beliefs about their condition have been shown to play a significant role in their pain experience and response to treatment, especially when a patient sees their tissue health as vulnerable or aged. Educational can alter these beliefs. Prior to new information, patients often have to be de-educated regarding common misbeliefs to undergo re-education.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine if a brief de-education session regarding aging and low back pain (LBP) can shift pain ratings, fear-avoidance beliefs, beliefs regarding aging and LBP, and limited active trunk flexion.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty adults ranging from 50 to 93 years of age (SD = 10.73) with a 15.1 years of LBP were education on the poor correlation between aging and LBP. Prior to and immediately after the education pain ratings for LBP and leg pain (numeric pain rating scale-NPRS), fear-avoidance (fear avoidance beliefs questionnaire-FABQ), beliefs regarding aging and LBP (Likert scale) and active trunk flexion were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant changes were found in positive shifts with LBP (p = 0.002), leg pain (p = 0.042), FABQ-physical activity subscale (p = 0.004) and active trunk forward flexion (p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results show that education aimed at altering beliefs regarding LBP and aging result in a positive shift in pain, fear avoidance related to physical activity and active trunk flexion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prior to providing patients with new healthcare information, de-educating them regarding poor beliefs may be helpful in shifting them towards new, healthier paradigms associated with their condition.
authors.affiliation: International Spine and Pain Institute, PO Box 232, Story City, IA, 50248, USA. adriaan@ispinstitute.com.
authors.forename: Adriaan
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4895-8544
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Louw
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health Sciences, University of South Dakota, 414 E Clark Street, Vermillion, SD, 57069, USA.
authors.forename: Kory
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zimney
authors.affiliation: RehabAuthority, 3170 43rd St S, Suite 101, Fargo, ND, 58104, USA.
authors.forename: Eldon A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.affiliation: RehabAuthority, 3170 43rd St S, Suite 101, Fargo, ND, 58104, USA.
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kraemer
authors.affiliation: Advanced PT, 19416 Highridge Way, Trabuco Canyon, CA, 92679, USA.
authors.forename: Justin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fesler
authors.affiliation: Rehabilitation Director and Clinic Administrator, RehabAuthority Physical Therapy, 1100 19th Avenue, North Suite K, Fargo, ND, 58102, USA.
authors.forename: Tyler
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Burcham
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D001362:Avoidance Learning; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires