scholarly journals Feasibility and Convergent Validity of an Activity Tracker in a Clinical Study of Low Back Pain (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Xiaoqian Zhuo ◽  
Luciana Gazzi Macedo
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Convergent Validity ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Activity Monitor ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Activity Monitors ◽  
Activity Tracker ◽  
Activity Questionnaire

BACKGROUND Low back pain (LBP) is a highly prevalent condition affecting individuals of all ages. To manage the symptoms and prevent recurrences and flare-ups, physical activity in conjunction with self-management education is recommended. Tools such as diaries and questionnaires have been the gold standard for tracking physical activity in clinical studies. However, there are issues with consistency, accuracy, and recall with the use of these outcome measures. Given the growth of technology in today’s society, consumer-grade activity monitors have become a common and convenient method of recording physical activity data. OBJECTIVE To test the feasibility and convergent validity a Garmin Vivo 3 activity tracker in evaluating physical activity levels in a clinical trial of LBP patients. METHODS We recruited 17 individuals with non-specific LBP referred from health care professionals or self-referred through advertisements in the community. The participants entered into a 12-week physical activity and self-management program. Physical activity was assessed using a self-reported questionnaire and the Garmin activity tracker. Activity tracker data (e.g. steps taken, distance walked, intensity minutes, etc.) were extracted weekly from the Garmin Connect online platform. Outcomes of pain and activity limitation were assessed weekly using a mobile app. Linear regression was conducted to evaluate if demographic factors (i.e. age, gender, pain level) affected the adherence rates to the activity monitor. We also used Pearson’s correlations to evaluate the convergent validity of the Garmin activity tracker with the physical activity questionnaire. RESULTS The daily adherence rate for activity monitors was 70% (SD 31%) over the 26 weeks of study. The daily response rate for the text messaging system over the first 12 weeks of the study was 81% (SD 28%). The response rate for the weekly physical activity measures using REDCap was 91% (SD 17%). None of the hypothesized variables or questionnaires were predictors of response rate. CONCLUSIONS No correlations were found between the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF) and the activity monitor. Demographic factors were not found to be predictors of adherence to wearing the device. However, the majority of participants were compliant with wearing the tracker and thus, activity monitors may still be a useful tool in scientific research.

scholarly journals A Decision Support System to Enhance Self-Management of Low Back Pain: Protocol for the selfBACK Project (Preprint)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Jarle Mork ◽  
Kerstin Bach
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Decision Support ◽  
Decision Support System ◽  
Support System ◽  
Patient Data ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Design And Implementation

BACKGROUND Low back pain (LBP) is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Most patients with LBP encountered in primary care settings have nonspecific LBP, that is, pain with an unknown pathoanatomical cause. Self-management in the form of physical activity and strength and flexibility exercises along with patient education constitute the core components of the management of nonspecific LBP. However, the adherence to a self-management program is challenging for most patients, especially without feedback and reinforcement. Here we outline a protocol for the design and implementation of a decision support system (DSS), selfBACK, to be used by patients themselves to promote self-management of LBP. OBJECTIVE The main objective of the selfBACK project is to improve self-management of nonspecific LBP to prevent chronicity, recurrence and pain-related disability. This is achieved by utilizing computer technology to develop personalized self-management plans based on individual patient data. METHODS The decision support is conveyed to patients via a mobile phone app in the form of advice for self-management. Case-based reasoning (CBR), a technology that utilizes knowledge about previous cases along with data about the current patient case, is used to tailor the advice to the current patient, enabling a patient-centered intervention based on what has and has not been successful in previous patient cases. The data source for the CBR system comprises initial patient data collected by a Web-based questionnaire, weekly patient reports (eg, symptom progression), and a physical activity-detecting wristband. The effectiveness of the selfBACK DSS will be evaluated in a multinational, randomized controlled trial (RCT), targeting care-seeking patients with nonspecific LBP. A process evaluation will be carried out as an integral part of the RCT to document the implementation and patient experiences with selfBACK. RESULTS The selfBACK project was launched in January 2016 and will run until the end of 2020. The final version of the selfBACK DSS will be completed in 2018. The RCT will commence in February 2019 with pain-related disability at 3 months as the primary outcome. The trial results will be reported according to the CONSORT statement and the extended CONSORT-EHEALTH checklist. Exploitation of the results will be ongoing throughout the project period based on a business plan developed by the selfBACK consortium. Tailored digital support has been proposed as a promising approach to improve self-management of chronic disease. However, tailoring self-management advice according to the needs, motivation, symptoms, and progress of individual patients is a challenging task. Here we outline a protocol for the design and implementation of a stand-alone DSS based on the CBR technology with the potential to improve self-management of nonspecific LBP. CONCLUSIONS The selfBACK project will provide learning regarding the implementation and effectiveness of an app-based DSS for patients with nonspecific LBP. REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER RR1-10.2196/9379

scholarly journals TEXT4myBACK – The development process of a self-management intervention delivered via text message for low back pain

2021 ◽  
pp. 100128
Author(s):  
Carolina G. Fritsch ◽  
Paulo H. Ferreira ◽  
Joanna L Prior ◽  
Giovana Vesentini ◽  
Patricia Schlotfeldt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Development Process ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Management Intervention

scholarly journals Physical activity associate low back pain and intervention program: Review

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhamad Aizat Mat Ibrahim ◽  
Hasif Rafidee Hasbollah ◽  
Mohd Asrul Hery Ibrahim ◽  
Nor Dalila Marican ◽  
Muhd Hafzal Abdul Halim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Program Review ◽  
Low Back

scholarly journals Activity Characteristics and Movement Patterns in People With and People Without Low Back Pain Who Participate in Rotation-Related Sports

2013 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 161-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth L. Chimenti ◽  
Sara A. Scholtes ◽  
Linda R. Van Dillen
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factor ◽  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Movement Pattern ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Habitual Activity ◽  
Design Case ◽  
Lower Limb Movement ◽  
Activity Questionnaire

Many risk factors have been identified as contributing to the development or persistence of low back pain (LBP). However, the juxtaposition of both high and low levels of physical activity being associated with LBP reflects the complexity of the relationship between a risk factor and LBP. Moreover, not everyone with an identified risk factor, such as a movement pattern of increased lumbopelvic rotation, has LBP.Objective:The purpose of this study was to examine differences in activity level and movement patterns between people with and people without chronic or recurrent LBP who participate in rotation-related sports.Design Case:Case-control study.Setting:University laboratory environment.Participants:52 people with chronic or recurrent LBP and 25 people without LBP who all play a rotation-related sport.Main Outcome Measures:Participants completed self-report measures including the Baecke Habitual Activity Questionnaire and a questionnaire on rotation-related sports. A 3-dimensional motion-capture system was used to collect movement-pattern variables during 2 lower-limb-movement tests.Results:Compared with people without LBP, people with LBP reported a greater difference between the sport subscore and an average work and leisure composite subscore on the Baecke Habitual Activity Questionnaire (F = 6.55, P = .01). There were no differences between groups in either rotation-related-sport participation or movement-pattern variables demonstrated during 2 lower-limb-movement tests (P > .05 for all comparisons).Conclusions:People with and people without LBP who regularly play a rotation-related sport differed in the amount and nature of activity participation but not in movement-pattern variables. An imbalance between level of activity during sport and daily functions may contribute to the development or persistence of LBP in people who play a rotation-related sport.

Are Healthcare Providers Providing Appropriate Educational Material for People with Low Back Pain?

2021 ◽  
pp. 21
Author(s):  
Dalia Alemam
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Educational Material ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Educational Materials ◽  
Military Hospitals

Introduction: One of the contributing factors to the burden of low back pain (LBP) is the failure to provide patients with appropriate education and advice about diagnosis and management. To date, no information exists about whether the content of patients’ information and educational material provided in physiotherapy clinics in Saudi Arabia is in line with the Clinical Practice Guidelines and contemporary practice. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the content of educational material provided by physiotherapy clinics, hospitals, or distributed by healthcare associations to people with LBP in Saudi Arabia, to determine whether this information is adequate to reassure patients and inform self-management. This study also seeks to explore whether these materials are consistent with CPGs for people with LBP. Methodology: A sample of educational items (English or Arabic) in Saudi Arabia was collected. Content analysis was conducted to analyze data based on manifest content. Result: Seventeen educational materials were included, originating from diverse sources; the Ministry of Health hospitals (n = 10), military hospitals (n = 4), private hospitals (n = 2), and multidisciplinary healthcare association (n = 1). Six main sub-themes were identified: epidemiological/anatomical data about LBP (n = 6); causes/risk factors (n = 10); exercise (n = 14) and physical activity-related recommendations (n = 3); treatment-related recommendations (n = 2); general health and lifestyle-related recommendations (n = 8); and postural and ergonomics-related recommendations (n = 13). Ultimately, one theme was formulated, namely, the content of educational materials was hindering reassurance and self-management for people with LBP. The items reviewed were heavily influenced by the biomedical model of pain. Conclusion: The educational materials reviewed failed to properly report information about LBP from a biopsychosocial perspective and were inadequate to assure patients or inform self-management.

scholarly journals Using mixed methods to assess fidelity of delivery and its influencing factors in a complex self-management intervention for people with osteoarthritis and low back pain

BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
pp. e015452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elaine Toomey ◽  
James Matthews ◽  
Deirdre A Hurley
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Complex Behaviour ◽  
Management Intervention ◽  
Direct Observations ◽  
Audio Recordings

Objectives and designDespite an increasing awareness of the importance of fidelity of delivery within complex behaviour change interventions, it is often poorly assessed. This mixed methods study aimed to establish the fidelity of delivery of a complex self-management intervention and explore the reasons for these findings using a convergent/triangulation design.SettingFeasibility trial of the Self-management of Osteoarthritis and Low back pain through Activity and Skills (SOLAS) intervention (ISRCTN49875385), delivered in primary care physiotherapy.Methods and outcomes60 SOLAS sessions were delivered across seven sites by nine physiotherapists. Fidelity of delivery of prespecified intervention components was evaluated using (1) audio-recordings (n=60), direct observations (n=24) and self-report checklists (n=60) and (2) individual interviews with physiotherapists (n=9). Quantitatively, fidelity scores were calculated using percentage means and SD of components delivered. Associations between fidelity scores and physiotherapist variables were analysed using Spearman's correlations. Interviews were analysed using thematic analysis to explore potential reasons for fidelity scores. Integration of quantitative and qualitative data occurred at an interpretation level using triangulation.ResultsQuantitatively, fidelity scores were high for all assessment methods; with self-report (92.7%) consistently higher than direct observations (82.7%) or audio-recordings (81.7%). There was significant variation between physiotherapists’ individual scores (69.8% - 100%). Both qualitative and quantitative data (from physiotherapist variables) found that physiotherapists’ knowledge (Spearman's association at p=0.003) and previous experience (p=0.008) were factors that influenced their fidelity. The qualitative data also postulated participant-level (eg, individual needs) and programme-level factors (eg, resources) as additional elements that influenced fidelity.ConclusionThe intervention was delivered with high fidelity. This study contributes to the limited evidence regarding fidelity assessment methods within complex behaviour change interventions. The findings suggest a combination of quantitative methods is suitable for the assessment of fidelity of delivery. A mixed methods approach provided a more insightful understanding of fidelity and its influencing factors.Trial registration numberISRCTN49875385; Pre-results.

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