Patient-Physiotherapist Agreement and Low Back Pain Outcomes
Author Information
Author(s): Kadija Perreault, Clermont E. Dionne
Primary Institution: Laval University
Hypothesis
Does patient-physiotherapist agreement influence the outcome of low back pain?
Conclusion
Patient-physiotherapist agreement has some impacts on the short-term outcomes of low back pain.
Supporting Evidence
- Higher patient-physiotherapist agreement on pain intensity was associated with better outcomes.
- Agreement on functional limitations had no impact on outcomes.
- Patients who rated pain higher than their physiotherapist reported reduced pain at follow-up.
Takeaway
When patients and physiotherapists agree on how bad the pain is, it can help the patients feel better, but sometimes it's okay if they don't agree.
Methodology
A prospective longitudinal observational design was used with 78 patient-physiotherapist dyads, measuring pain intensity and functional limitations at baseline and follow-up.
Potential Biases
Participants were aware of the study's aims, which may have influenced their responses.
Limitations
The sample size was relatively small and may not be generalizable due to specific socio-demographic characteristics of participants.
Participant Demographics
Participants included 38 men and 40 women aged 24 to 73, mostly highly educated and married.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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