scholarly journals Adherence to Clinical Practice Guidelines for Low Back Pain in Physical Therapy: Do Patients Benefit?

2010 ◽  
Vol 90 (8) ◽  
pp. 1111-1122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geert M. Rutten ◽  
Saskia Degen ◽  
Erik J. Hendriks ◽  
Jozé C. Braspenning ◽  
Janneke Harting ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Physical Functioning ◽  
Guideline Adherence ◽  
Internal Validity ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Process Of Care ◽  
Dutch Version

BackgroundVarious guidelines for the management of low back pain have been developed to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of care. Evidence that guideline-adherent care results in better health outcomes, however, is not conclusive.ObjectiveThe main objective of this study was to assess whether a higher percentage of adherence to the Dutch physical and manual therapy guidelines for low back pain is related to improved outcomes. The study further explored whether this relationship differs for the individual steps of the process of care and for distinct subgroups of patients.DesignThis was an observational prospective cohort study (2005–2006) in the Netherlands that included a sample of 61 private practice therapists and 145 patients.MethodsTherapists recorded the process of care and the number of treatment sessions in Web-based patient files. Guideline adherence was assessed using quality indicators. Physical functioning was measured by the Dutch version of the Quebec Back Pain and Disability Scale, and average pain was measured with a visual analog scale. Relationships between the percentage of guideline adherence and outcomes of care were evaluated with regression analyses.ResultsHigher percentages of adherence were associated with fewer functional limitations (β=−0.21, P=.023) and fewer treatment sessions (β=−0.27, P=.005).LimitationsThe relatively small self-selected sample might limit external validity, but it is not expected that the small sample greatly influenced the internal validity of the study. Larger samples are required to enable adequate subgroup analyses.ConclusionsThe results indicate that higher percentages of guideline adherence are related to better improvement of physical functioning and to a lower utilization of care. A proper assessment of the relationship between the process of physical therapy care and outcomes may require a comprehensive set of process indicators to measure guideline adherence.

scholarly journals Implementation of Clinical Guidelines on Physical Therapy for Patients With Low Back Pain: Randomized Trial Comparing Patient Outcomes After a Standard and Active Implementation Strategy

2005 ◽  
Vol 85 (6) ◽  
pp. 544-555 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geertruida E Bekkering ◽  
Maurits W van Tulder ◽  
Erik JM Hendriks ◽  
Marc A Koopmanschap ◽  
Dirk L Knol ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Patient Outcomes ◽  
Physical Functioning ◽  
Clinical Guidelines ◽  
Physical Therapists ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Active Strategy ◽  
Active Implementation

Abstract Background and Purpose. An active strategy was developed for the implementation of the clinical guidelines on physical therapy for patients with low back pain. The effect of this strategy on patients' physical functioning, coping strategy, and beliefs regarding their low back pain was studied. Subjects. One hundred thirteen primary care physical therapists treated a total of 500 patients. Methods. The physical therapists were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups. The control group received the guidelines by mail (standard passive method of dissemination). The intervention group, in contrast, received an additional active training strategy consisting of 2 sessions with education, group discussion, role playing, feedback, and reminders. Patients with low back pain, treated by the participating therapists, completed questionnaires on physical functioning, pain, sick leave, coping, and beliefs. Results. Physical functioning and pain in the 2 groups improved substantially in the first 12 weeks. Multilevel longitudinal analysis showed no differences between the 2 groups on any outcome measure during follow-up. Discussion and Conclusion. The authors found no additional benefit to applying an active strategy to implement the physical therapy guidelines for patients with low back pain. Active implementation strategies are not recommended if patient outcomes are to be improved.

scholarly journals A Pilot Study Examining the Effectiveness of Physical Therapy as an Adjunct to Selective Nerve Root Block in the Treatment of Lumbar Radicular Pain From Disk Herniation: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2010 ◽  
Vol 90 (12) ◽  
pp. 1717-1729 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Thackeray ◽  
Julie M. Fritz ◽  
Gerard P. Brennan ◽  
Faisel M. Zaman ◽  
Stuart E. Willick
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Nerve Root ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Disk Herniation ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
To Receive

BackgroundTherapeutic selective nerve root blocks (SNRBs) are a common intervention for patients with sciatica. Patients often are referred to physical therapy after SNRBs, although the effectiveness of this intervention sequence has not been investigated.ObjectiveThis study was a preliminary investigation of the effectiveness of SNRBs, with or without subsequent physical therapy, in people with low back pain and sciatica.DesignThis investigation was a pilot randomized controlled clinical trial.SettingThe settings were spine specialty and physical therapy clinics.ParticipantsForty-four participants (64% men; mean age=38.5 years, SD=11.6 years) with low back pain, with clinical and imaging findings consistent with lumbar disk herniation, and scheduled to receive SNRBs participated in the study. They were randomly assigned to receive either 4 weeks of physical therapy (SNRB+PT group) or no physical therapy (SNRB alone [SNRB group]) after the injections.InterventionAll participants received at least 1 SNRB; 28 participants (64%) received multiple injections. Participants in the SNRB+PT group attended an average of 6.0 physical therapy sessions over an average of 23.9 days.MeasurementsOutcomes were assessed at baseline, 8 weeks, and 6 months with the Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire, a numeric pain rating scale, and the Global Rating of Change.ResultsSignificant reductions in pain and disability occurred over time in both groups, with no differences between groups at either follow-up for any outcome. Nine participants (5 in the SNRB group and 4 in the SNRB+PT group) underwent surgery during the follow-up period.LimitationsThe limitations of this study were a relatively short-term follow-up period and a small sample size.ConclusionsA physical therapy intervention after SNRBs did not result in additional reductions in pain and disability or perceived improvements in participants with low back pain and sciatica.

scholarly journals Physical therapy for patients with low back pain in Germany: a survey of current practice

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolin Bahns ◽  
Lisa Happe ◽  
Christian Thiel ◽  
Christian Kopkow
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Guideline Adherence ◽  
Physical Therapists ◽  
Diagnostic Process ◽  
Low Back ◽  
German Physical

Abstract Background Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders worldwide. The National Disease Management Guideline (NVL) “Non-specific LBP” is a practical decision-making aid for both physicians and non-medical professionals in Germany to improve quality of health care. Although LBP is the most frequent diagnosis resulting in physical therapy treatment, information on the current management of patients with LBP and guideline adherence is limited. The objective of this study was to evaluate the current physical therapy management of patients with LBP in Germany, and to explore guideline adherence to the NVL “Non-specific LBP” recommendations. Methods An online survey among physical therapists working in Germany was conducted based on the recommendations given in the NVL “Non-specific LBP”. Participants were recruited using a snowball sampling approach and invited to complete the questionnaire. Guideline adherence was evaluated by comparing the survey findings with the recommendations of the NVL. Results In total, 1361 physical therapists (41 years of age (SD 11); 839 female, 514 male; 16 years of clinical experience (SD 10)) completed the survey. Fifty percent (n = 675) of our respondents adhered to the recommendations of the NVL on the therapeutic diagnostic process, and 72% (n = 973) to the recommendations concerning treatment. The guideline adherence across the entire management process (i.e., both diagnosis and treatment) of LBP was 38% (n = 513). German physical therapists predominantly provide active interventions, e.g., exercise therapy, but also use interventions with low or conflicting evidence, respectively. Massage and Kinesio Taping were frequently used despite being not recommended. Less than one third of study participants (n = 400, 29%) answered to know the NVL or had dealt with its recommendations. Conclusions In the management of LBP, overall guideline adherence among German physical therapists was 38% with higher adherence in the treatment section than in the physical therapeutic diagnostic process. Widespread employment of implementation strategies and removal of existing barriers against the application of evidence-based guidelines could facilitate the transfer of scientific evidence into clinical practice and contribute to optimize the quality of health care. Trial registration German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00012607). Registered 04 October 2017.

scholarly journals Low Back Pain in Adolescents: A Comparison of Clinical Outcomes in Sports Participants and Nonparticipants

2010 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie M. Fritz ◽  
Shannon N. Clifford
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Treatment Outcomes ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Sports Participation ◽  
Mean Difference ◽  
Analysis Of Covariance ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Baseline Characteristics

Abstract Context: Back pain is common in adolescents. Participation in sports has been identified as a risk factor for the development of back pain in adolescents, but the influence of sports participation on treatment outcomes in adolescents has not been adequately examined. Objective: To examine the clinical outcomes of rehabilitation for adolescents with low back pain (LBP) and to evaluate the influence of sports participation on outcomes. Design: Observational study. Setting: Outpatient physical therapy clinics. Patients or Other Participants: Fifty-eight adolescents (age  =  15.40 ± 1.44 years; 56.90% female) with LBP referred for treatment. Twenty-three patients (39.66%) had developed back pain from sports participation. Intervention(s): Patients completed the Modified Oswestry Disability Questionnaire and numeric pain rating before and after treatment. Treatment duration and content were at the clinician's discretion. Adolescents were categorized as sports participants if the onset of back pain was linked to organized sports. Additional data collected included diagnostic imaging before referral, clinical characteristics, and medical diagnosis. Main Outcome Measure(s): Baseline characteristics were compared based on sports participation. The influence of sports participation on outcomes was examined using a repeated-measures analysis of covariance with the Oswestry and pain scores as dependent variables. The number of sessions and duration of care were compared using t tests. Results: Many adolescents with LBP receiving outpatient physical therapy treatment were involved in sports and cited sports participation as a causative factor for their LBP. Some differences in baseline characteristics and clinical treatment outcomes were noted between sports participants and nonparticipants. Sports participants were more likely to undergo magnetic resonance imaging before referral (P  =  .013), attended more sessions (mean difference  =  1.40, 95% confidence interval [CI]  =  0.21, 2.59, P  =  .022) over a longer duration (mean difference  =  12.44 days, 95% CI  =  1.28, 23.10, P  =  .024), and experienced less improvement in disability (mean Oswestry difference  =  6.66, 95% CI  =  0.53, 12.78, P  =  .048) than nonparticipants. Overall, the pattern of clinical outcomes in this sample of adolescents with LBP was similar to that of adults with LBP. Conclusions: Adolescents with LBP due to sports participation received more treatment but experienced less improvement in disability than nonparticipants. This may indicate a worse prognosis for sports participants. Further research is required.

Physical Therapy Care for Low Back Pain

1988 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 199-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven S. Overman ◽  
John W. Larson ◽  
Deborah A. Dickstein ◽  
Paul H. Rockey
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Low Back
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