Brief education on chronic low back pain: Brief group education for patients with chronic low back pain – a descriptive study

Abstract

Objective

Some studies show that patient education involving self management strategies can be a good way to address the negative impact of psychosocial factors in chronic low back pain (CLBP). The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical changes following a 2.5-hour group education session for patients with non-specific CLBP.

Methods

Forty-two patients participated in this study; 20 received a 2.5-hour group education session and 22 were assigned to a waiting list. The education session addressed strategic issues in CLBP such as false beliefs, fear-avoidance beliefs, exercises and pain management strategies. The outcomes were pain intensity, pain catastrophizing, pain coping strategies, self-perceived functional status and mood. Data were collected before the education session and 3 months after.

Results

Three months after the education session, the intervention group showed a clinically significant reduction in the perceived pain intensity and pain catastrophizing thoughts; however, the intra- and inter-group analysis revealed no statistically significant differences in any outcome measures.

Conclusion

Although brief group education could be an interesting stand alone therapeutic intervention for patients with CLBP, more research is required to better study the type, dose and effectiveness of group education in CLBP.

Keywords:

• Chronic low back pain
• Group education
• Psychosocial factors
• Pain management
• Rehabilitation

Acknowledgements

Yannick Tousignant-Laflamme and Patricia Bourgault are supported members of the Centre de recherche Clinique Etienne-LeBel du CHUS.