Profile, attitudes and beliefs of physiotherapists in the management of chronic nonspecific low back pain

Abstract

Introduction: About 84% of the population have had some low back symptom during their lifetime; where 23% of cases become chronic pain. It is observed that in around 85% of cases of chronic low back pain, there is no specific cause or diagnosis, where it is referred to as chronic nonspecific low back pain. Given its disabling potential, the comprehensive assessment, attitudes and beliefs of the physiotherapist in clinical management become essential to the prognosis. Objective: To evaluate the relationship between sociodemographic/socioeducational and work profile and the attitudes and beliefs of physiotherapists in the management of chronic nonspecific low back pain treatment. Methods: This was a cross-sectional quantitative study. For data collection, two questionnaires were used, one referring to the sociodemographic/socioeducational profile information and the other referring to attitudes and beliefs determined by the Pain Attitudes and Beliefs Scale for Physiotherapists. Data were analyzed using the BioEstat 5.0 program using descriptive statistics, t-test and Pearson correlation (p < 0,05). Results: Fifty-seven physical therapists were analyzed, where most were women (61,4%), had specialization (56,2%), worked in private clinics (63,2%) and used specific methods in the management of chronic nonspecific low back pain (84,2%). Biomedical belief was predominant (70,2%) and showed a significant relationship with age (p = 0,0006). Conclusion: The biomedical model is still predominantly used, which is related to the age of the professionals surveyed.