Factors associated with attitudes and beliefs of elders with acute low back pain: data from the study Back Complaints in the Elders (BACE)

Luiza F Teixeira; Leani S M Pereira; Silvia L A Silva; João M D Dias; Rosângela C Dias

doi:10.1590/bjpt-rbf.2014.0188

Factors associated with attitudes and beliefs of elders with acute low back pain: data from the study Back Complaints in the Elders (BACE)

Braz J Phys Ther. 2016 Nov-Dec;20(6):553-560. doi: 10.1590/bjpt-rbf.2014.0188. Epub 2016 Sep 15.

Authors

Luiza F Teixeira^{1

2}, Leani S M Pereira^{1

3}, Silvia L A Silva⁴, João M D Dias^{1

3}, Rosângela C Dias^{1

3}

Affiliations

¹ Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências da Reabilitação, Escola de Educação Física, Fisioterapia e Terapia Ocupacional, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
² Departamento de Fisioterapia, Universidade do Vale do Sapucaí (UNIVAS), Pouso Alegre, MG, Brazil.
³ Departamento de Fisioterapia, Escola de Educação Física, Fisioterapia e Terapia Ocupacional, UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
⁴ Departamento de Fisioterapia, Universidade Federal de Alfenas (UNIFAL), Alfenas, MG, Brazil.

Abstract

Background: The attitudes and beliefs that older people have about acute low back pain (LBP) may influence the coping mechanisms and the adoption of treatment strategies in this population.

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the factors associated with the attitudes and beliefs of elderly patients with acute low back pain using the Back Beliefs Questionnaire.

Method: This is a cross-sectional study with a subsample of the study "Back Complaints in the Elders" (BACE), composed of 532 older Brazilians of both genders with acute LBP. We investigated sociodemographic and clinical aspects, self-perceived health, psychosocial and emotional state, falls, and functional capacity. Multiple regression models were constructed to measure possible associations.

Results: The percentage of female participants was 85.7% and the mean age was 69.04 (SD=6.2). Disability, symptoms of depression, and expectation of return to activities were independently associated with attitudes and beliefs concerning LBP.

Conclusion: Screening of psychosocial factors is essential to the prevention of persistent and recurrent LBP. Early signs of these factors can help identify symptoms and behaviors for effective interventions.