Effects of different back health education on fear avoidance belief and occupational performance in chronic low back pain

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of our study was to compare the effects of three different back education methods on fear avoidance belief and occupational performance in patients with low back pain. Methods: Sixty patients with chronic low back pain were included in study. Patients were divided into three groups with simple random method. Two sessions of back health education was given to patients in the education group. A detailed back education booklet was given to the patients in the booklet group. Verbal advice was given to the patients in the advice group. Fear Avoidance Belief Questionnaire was used to assess the fear avoidance belief in daily activities and occupational activities. Patient's activity limitations were evaluated with Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire. Activity performances and satisfaction were determined with Canadian Occupational Performance Measurement. Results: There was a difference between the three groups in regards to fear avoidance belief and activity performances (p<0.001). Activity performance increased more and fear avoidance beliefs decreased more in education and booklet group than in group who was given advice (p<0.05). It was determined that improvement on activity performance and fear avoidance belief scores was statistically better in booklet group than education group (p<0.05). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, decreasing effects of seminar or booklet education on fear avoidance belief and increasing effects on activity performance were clearly seen. It is thought that long term effects should be investigated in the study in which short term effects of different education methods investigated in chronic low back pain.