The effects of a back rehabilitation program on self-efficacy for physical activity, pain, and flexibility of muscles among persons with low back pain
Keywords:
Back rehabilitation program, Self-efficacy for physical activity, Pain, Flexibility of muscles, Persons with low back painAbstract
Introduction: Low back pain is a chronic pain syndrome that causes abnormal movements of persons. This studywas a quasi-experimental research design aimed to evaluate the effects of a rehabilitation program onself-efficacy for physical activity, pain, and flexibility of muscles among persons with low back pain.
Method: The study was conducted at two hospitals in Ratchaburi province. A total of 74 patients with low backpain attending at orthopedic clinic that met the inclusion criteria were studied. The 38 patients in theexperimental group received the rehabilitation program by the investigator, whereas the 36 patients inthe control group received usual care by the nursing staff. The used instruments were a demographicquestionnaire, a self-efficacy for physical activity (SEPA) questionnaire, the numerical rating scales (NRSs),the Roland-Morris disability questionnaire, a sit and reach box test, a back rehabilitation program, anda self care handbook. Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics, and tests of mean score wereanalyzed using repeated measure ANOVA, the Mann-Whitney U test, and the Wilcoxon Signed-rank test.
Result: The findings showed that the experimental group had significantly increased the mean score ofself-efficacy for physical activities, flexibility of muscles, and showed a decreased mean score of painat 2 and 6 weeks after the rehabilitation program (p < 0.001) more than those of the control group(p < 0.001; p < 0.05; p < 0.001).
Discussion and Conclusion: These results demonstrated that this rehabilitation program can increase self-efficacy for physical activities, flexibility, and decrease pain. Nurses and healthcare teams can use this program to prevent recurrentsymptoms among persons with low back pain.
Key words: Back rehabilitation program, Self-efficacy for physical activity, Pain, Flexibility of muscles, Persons with lowback pain
