To evaluate the impact of brief GI on symptoms of chronic back pain in adults treated in the Rheumatology clinic. To assess the effects of brief GI on symptoms of chronic back pain in adults treated in the Rheumatology clinic.
A-B design study
A sample of 35 women with chronic back pain completed questionnaires at recruitment (T1), and after 8-10 weeks, they completed questionnaires again before the first intervention (T2). The intervention included five brief GI group meetings every 2-3 weeks, one hour each (3-5 subjects per group). Participants learned 6 GI exercises and were asked to practice brief GI exercises at least once daily. Then, questionnaires were completed the third time (T3). Outcome measures: MOQ - Modified Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire, STAI - State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, FABQ - Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire, NPRS - Numerical Pain Rating Scale (average pain over the last week).
Compared to the period without intervention, NPRS (D =2.53, SE=0.43 p0.001), STAI (D=8.41, SE=1.95, p0.001), and MOQ (D =0.06, SE=0.02 p=.019) reported significantly lower levels after brief GI training. However, no statistically significant change was found in FABQ.
The brief GI intervention may help alleviate chronic back pain, help decrease anxiety, and improve daily activity in women who suffer from chronic low back pain.
A brief GI that lasts one to two minutes can be used in clinical practice to help patients with chronic pain.
Brief Guided Imagery
quality of life
