Predictors of self-management for chronic low back pain.

AIMS

(a) Identify variables that predict self-management (SM) of chronic low back pain (CLBP), and (b) evaluate differences in these variables between participants in specialty pain centers (SPCs) and primary care clinics (PCCs).

BACKGROUND

Chronic low back pain is highly prevalent in various healthcare settings. Self-management strategies are recommended in pain care guidelines to help address CLBP. However, the evidence of SM effectiveness in CLBP remains unclear. Self-management may be effective for only certain patients. Hence, identifying the predictors to SM of CLBP is essential to help recognize the best responders to SM programs.

METHOD

Secondary analysis was conducted on data collected from two CLBP primary research studies in SPCs (N=110) and PCCs (N=120). General linear modeling was utilized for the combined sample of 230 participants and for each practice setting.

RESULTS

Overall, in SPCs and PCCs combined, five variables were found to be predictors of SM: age, SM support, education, overall health, and helpfulness of pain management. In SPCs, SM support, support received from other than healthcare providers, religion or spirituality, and overall health were identified as significant predictors to SM. In PCCs, both SM support and overall health were also significant predictors. In addition, those with higher income scored better in SM.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings provide essential information to healthcare providers in intervening appropriately toward engaging CLBP patients in SM. Other strategies need to be identified for those who do not respond effectively to SM strategies.