Alatar A1
1University of Birmingham, School of Psychology, Birmingham, United Kingdom
Background: Chronic back pain (CBP) is defined as a pain in the back that lasts for three months or more, and considered as a major health care problem, as it could result in functional limitations, leading to significant socioeconomic difficulties and reduce the quality of life. Most trials investigating the efficacy of back pain interventions report only modest effects. In the last two decades, the biopsychosocial model has gained popularity because this model focuses on the effects of a patient's psychological status, emotion and sociocultural factors, as well as the biological problems. The inclusion of the biopsychosocial model has added a new dimension to the management process. There is evidence that patients' beliefs about their illness (e.g., pain caused by a slipped disc) and the treatment (e.g., only surgery might help) are associated with treatment adherence rates and treatment outcomes. These beliefs are affected by multiple factors including their health care providers' beliefs in regard to the illness and management. Previous studies reported that most health and medical-related decisions are made quickly, and enhanced by current emotions and feelings, previous experiences and unconscious habits. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for chronic pain is a non-pharmacological treatment that is typically delivered via individual or group counselling sessions that occur over several weeks. CBT for chronic pain reduces pain perception and psychological distress by improving an individual's ability to cope with their pain.
Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore physiotherapists' beliefs, experience and knowledge, regarding the management of chronic back pain in Kuwait, and to explore their perceptions of the role of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in the management of chronic back pain.
Methods: Twenty-two physiotherapists specialised in back pain were participated in face to face interview. Then, a frame work analysis were used to analysis the data.
Results: Four themes were obtained. these themes were; physiotherapists' beliefs about back pain risk factors, the physiotherapists' perceptions about patients' beliefs and its effect on the illness, physiotherapists' perceptions about their beliefs and the effect on the illness and its management and the physiotherapists' thoughts and perceptions about cognitive behavioural therapy and its implementation in Kuwait.
Conclusion(s): In spite that all of the participants believed that their emotions and beliefs would influence patient´s symptoms and the treatment outcomes, many physiotherapists believed that they are challenging to be controlled. Furthermore, beliefs that they were not ready to apply CBT due to many reasons such as lack of time and lack of skills. Additionally, many physiotherapists reported that CBT is not within the scope of practice and that patients might not accept that ideas.
Implications: in spite of the current recommendations on the importance of including CBT in physiotherapy practice, many physiotherapists still resisting the idea. furthermore, physiotherapy systems might need an upgrade to accept CBT as major treatment option.
Keywords: cognitive behavioural therapy, low back pain, beliefs
Funding acknowledgements: Kuwait cultural office
Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore physiotherapists' beliefs, experience and knowledge, regarding the management of chronic back pain in Kuwait, and to explore their perceptions of the role of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in the management of chronic back pain.
Methods: Twenty-two physiotherapists specialised in back pain were participated in face to face interview. Then, a frame work analysis were used to analysis the data.
Results: Four themes were obtained. these themes were; physiotherapists' beliefs about back pain risk factors, the physiotherapists' perceptions about patients' beliefs and its effect on the illness, physiotherapists' perceptions about their beliefs and the effect on the illness and its management and the physiotherapists' thoughts and perceptions about cognitive behavioural therapy and its implementation in Kuwait.
Conclusion(s): In spite that all of the participants believed that their emotions and beliefs would influence patient´s symptoms and the treatment outcomes, many physiotherapists believed that they are challenging to be controlled. Furthermore, beliefs that they were not ready to apply CBT due to many reasons such as lack of time and lack of skills. Additionally, many physiotherapists reported that CBT is not within the scope of practice and that patients might not accept that ideas.
Implications: in spite of the current recommendations on the importance of including CBT in physiotherapy practice, many physiotherapists still resisting the idea. furthermore, physiotherapy systems might need an upgrade to accept CBT as major treatment option.
Keywords: cognitive behavioural therapy, low back pain, beliefs
Funding acknowledgements: Kuwait cultural office
Topic: Musculoskeletal: spine; Pain & pain management
Ethics approval required: Yes
Institution: university of Birmingham
Ethics committee: ethics at the university of Birmingham
Ethics number: ERN_14-1253
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
