ABSTRACT
Objective:
To identify the prognostic factors for conventional physical therapy in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP).
Methods:
Prospective observational study.
Participants:
One hundred thirteen patients with CLBP selected at the Spinal Disease Outpatient Clinic.
Main outcome measures:
Pain intensity was scored using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), and function was measured using the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ).
Results:
The Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire work subscale results (FABQ-work; odds ratio [OR] = 0.27, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.13–0.56, p < 0.001) and extraspinal pain (OR = 0.35, 95% CI 0.17–0.74, p = 0.006) were independently associated with a decreased response to conventional physical therapy for CLBP.
Conclusion:
We identified high FABQ-work and extraspinal pain scores as key determinants of a worse response to physical therapy among CLBP patients, supporting the need for a special rehabilitation program for this subgroup.
Keywords
Fear-avoidance beliefs; Extraspinal pain; Therapeutic response; Chronic low back pain