The use of a biopsychosocial model in the treatment of patients with chronic

Abstract

Objective: To explore the available knowledge on the application of biopsychosocial model (BPS) in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP).

Methods: A scoping review, including 32 papers that used a BPS to manage adult patients with CLBP, published in any language. Six different databases were searched.

Results: According to the description of the protocols, most of them use BPS for assessment of the patients. In this first stage the most often evaluated were pain and disability, kinesiophobia and quality of life, and work-related factors. The intervention most used associate psychological and physical domains using pain education or cognitive functional therapy and active exercise. Even though was not the most common, in the social domain occupational, behavioral and family interventions were observed.

Conclusion: BPS is more often used as combination of physical and psychological aspects, being the social domain restricted to work-related factors. Patien'ts perception of their health status is little explored, and it is suggested that the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health be used.

Practice implication: Patient perception as well as social factors in addition to occupational ones should be included in the clinical approach of the patient with CLBP and should be further explored in research.

Keywords: Assessment; Biopsychosocial model; Chronic low back pain; Treatment.