Date Presented 04/04/2025
A mixed-methods research study identified functional deficits in participation in daily occupations as a result of the pain, decreased mobility, and fatigue caused by Bertolotti’s syndrome.
Primary Author and Speaker: Andrea Muffly
PURPOSE: To identify specific occupations impacted by pain and abnormal spinal mobility caused by Bertolotti’s Syndrome (BS) in order to better serve this patient population.
DESIGN: Mixed methods study design survey.
METHOD: Data collected via Qualtrics survey to address pain, mobility, ADL, IADL difficulties encountered by this patient population. Owestry back pain inventory as well as essay question responses were captured and analyzed using SPSS.
RESULTS: Participants reported onset of disabling symptoms starting at age 20 and younger, in all subtypes of BS. Multiple occupations including ADLs, IADLs, were negatively impacted by Bertolotti’s Syndrome resulting in decreased independence and a need for adaptations in their daily lives. Participants captured multiple subtypes of Bertolotti’s Syndrome and provided in depth responses to how their meaningful occupations were negatively impacted by pain, fatigue, and decreased mobility due to Bertolotti’s Syndrome. Additionally, participants shared how their relationships were negatively impacted by these limitations.
CONCLUSION: It is clear that this condition may result in severe disability and a wide array of limitation perhaps linked to the unique subtype of Bertolotti’s Syndrome that have not been identified in current literature regarding this condition. By accurately identifying and treating the functional limitations due to limited spinal mobility, pain and fatigue caused by Bertolotti’s Syndrome occupational therapists can position themselves to serve this population across the lifespan by strengthening surrounding musculature, adapting and modifying activities to fit patient levels despite fluctuations in pain and fatigue.
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