Date Presented 04/03/2025
An estimated 619 million people worldwide experience low back pain. This mixed-methods study examined how chronic low back pain (CLBP) affects individuals' engagement in meaningful occupations from a holistic OT perspective.
Primary Author and Speaker: Manisha Sheth
Additional Authors and Speakers: Arlene Gutierrez, Jahaira Covarrubias, Alissa Gomez, Caitlin Ryan, Jacqueline Hernandez
PURPOSE: Low back pain (LBP) affects 619 million people globally and is the leading cause of disability (1)(2). This mixed-methods study explored the impact of chronic low back pain (CLBP) on individuals' engagement in meaningful occupations from a holistic occupational therapy perspective.
DESIGN: Participants were recruited through purposive and convenience sampling. Eligibility criteria included adults diagnosed with chronic LBP for at least three months and who could read/speak English or Spanish. A self-reported survey on the impact of CLBP on occupational participation was distributed to members of closed Facebook and Instagram groups.
METHOD: Thirty-six participants completed the closed-ended survey, which was analyzed using Jeffrey's Amazing Statistics Program (JASP). Six participants took part in virtual face-to-face interviews. Qualitative data were analyzed through thematic coding. Trustworthiness was ensured via triangulation, saturation, member checking, and peer debriefing.
RESULTS: Descriptive statistics reported that participants most frequently identified the impact of CLBP on basic activities of daily living (BADLs), including functional mobility (44.4%), dressing (22.2%), and bathing/showering (8.3%). For instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) and other occupations, the most common impacts were on rest and sleep (48.6%), work (40%), play (34.3%), leisure (25.7%), driving and community mobility (22.9%), home management (20%), and social participation (17.1%). Three key themes emerged: severity of pain during ADLs, lifestyle modifications, and insufficient resources to address ADLs.
CONCLUSION AND IMPACT STATEMENT: This study highlights the significant impact of CLBP on occupational participation. From a holistic OT perspective, the findings call for comprehensive, multidisciplinary approaches to address CLBP's effect on occupational engagement and the overall well-being of individuals with CLBP.
References
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (2023). Back pain. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/healthinformation/disorders/back-pain
Yang, H., Haldeman, S., Lu, M.-L., & Baker, D. (2016). Low back pain prevalence and related workplace psychosocial risk factors: A study using data from the 2010 National Health Interview Survey. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. https://www.jmptonline.org/article/S0161-4754(16)30134-8/fulltext
