The Quality of Physiotherapy in Low Back Pain Patients in Central Finland

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Chronic low back pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders. In the Finnish Health 2000 survey the incidence of low back pain was 10% in men and 11% in women. Several evidence-based rehabilitation guidelines recommend exercise therapy treatment of chronic back pain. However, there are no studies in chronic low back pain patients concerning the assessment of the content and quality of exercise modalities adviced in clinical practise. The aim of this study is to investigate the content and quality of physiotherapy management and advise in chronic low back pain patients in Central Finland.

Detailed Description
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The participants in this study are 100 working-age unspecific low back pain patients from the Central Health Care District, who are referred for specialised care in the outpatient clinic in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in Central Finland Hospital. The participants will be asked to complete health-related questionnaires and an in-house made questionnaire of their back rehabilitation. The main questions are: The content about applied exercise modalities, How the progression of exercises have been advised? How pain was taken into account while exercising? The research will be carried out and coordinated by Central Finland Central Hospital, and the research project will take place between November 2014 and February 2019.

Official Title
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The Assessment of the Content and Quality of Physiotherapy Management and Advice in Chronic Low-back Pain Patients in Central Finland

Conditions
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Low Back Pain

Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: experiencing chronic low back pain, ability to communicate in Finnish language Exclusion Criteria: previous back surgery in the preceding 12-month suspected or diagnosed lumbar disc herniation

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 68 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Self-constructed questionnaire; the content about instructed exercise modalities | Strength training, aerobic exercise, aquatic exercise, mobility or something else | During the physiotherapy treatment period | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Self-constructed questionnaire; the way how the training was instructed by the physiotherapist | Verbally, in written form or by practicing | During the physiotherapy treatment period | 
| Self-constructed questionnaire; how back pain was taken into account in exercise guidance? | Patient did not receive instructions on how pain should be taken into account while exercising, patient was urged to avoid exercises that caused pain while exercising, patient was urged to exercise within the limits of pain, patient was urged to practice despite the pain, some other instructions - what? | During the physiotherapy treatment period | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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low back pain, rehabilitation, assessment, quality