Karin Meng1, Stefan Peters2, Hermann Faller2. 1. Department of Medical Psychology, Medical Sociology, and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany. Electronic address: k.meng@uni-wuerzburg.de. 2. Department of Medical Psychology, Medical Sociology, and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a standardized, patient-oriented, biopsychosocial back school after implementation in inpatient orthopedic rehabilitation. METHODS: A multi-center, quasi-experimental controlled study of patients with low back pain (n=535) was conducted. Patients in the control group received the traditional back school before implementation of the new program (usual care); patients in the intervention group received the new standardized back school after implementation into routine care. Patients' illness knowledge and conduct of back exercises (primary outcomes) and secondary self-management outcomes and treatment satisfaction were obtained at admission, discharge, and 6 and 12 months after rehabilitation. RESULTS: We found a significant small between-group intervention effect on patients' illness knowledge in medium- to long term (6 months: η2=0.015; 12 months: η2=0.013). There were trends for effects on conduct of back exercises among men (6 and 12 months: η2=0.008 both). Furthermore, significant small effects were observed for treatment satisfaction at discharge and physical activity after 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: The standardized back school seems to be more effective in certain outcomes than a usual care program despite heterogeneous program implementation. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Further dissemination within orthopedic rehabilitation may be encouraged to foster self-management outcomes.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a standardized, patient-oriented, biopsychosocial back school after implementation in inpatient orthopedic rehabilitation. METHODS: A multi-center, quasi-experimental controlled study of patients with low back pain (n=535) was conducted. Patients in the control group received the traditional back school before implementation of the new program (usual care); patients in the intervention group received the new standardized back school after implementation into routine care. Patients' illness knowledge and conduct of back exercises (primary outcomes) and secondary self-management outcomes and treatment satisfaction were obtained at admission, discharge, and 6 and 12 months after rehabilitation. RESULTS: We found a significant small between-group intervention effect on patients' illness knowledge in medium- to long term (6 months: η2=0.015; 12 months: η2=0.013). There were trends for effects on conduct of back exercises among men (6 and 12 months: η2=0.008 both). Furthermore, significant small effects were observed for treatment satisfaction at discharge and physical activity after 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: The standardized back school seems to be more effective in certain outcomes than a usual care program despite heterogeneous program implementation. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Further dissemination within orthopedic rehabilitation may be encouraged to foster self-management outcomes.
Authors: Paul Enthoven; Fredrik Eddeborn; Allan Abbott; Karin Schröder; Maria Fors; Birgitta Öberg Journal: Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being Date: 2021-12