Are fear-avoidance beliefs in low back pain patients a risk factor for low physical activity or vice versa? A cross-lagged panel analysis.

Objective: The assumption that low back pain (LBP) patients suffer from "disuse" as a consequence of high fear-avoidance beliefs is currently under debate. A secondary analysis served to investigate whether fear-avoidance beliefs are associated cross-sectionally and longitudinally with the physical activity level (PAL) in LBP patients.

Methods: A total of 787 individuals (57% acute and 43% chronic LBP) were followed up over a period of one year with measurements of fear-avoidance beliefs and physical activity level.

Fear-avoidance beliefs, physical activity, and disability in elderly individuals with chronic low back pain and healthy controls.

Objective: Research studies focussing on the fear-avoidance beliefs model (FABM) have expanded considerably during the last years, however, there has been very little research directed at the elderly. The objective of the present study was to investigate the validity of the FABM in older patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP).

Method: In a cross-sectional study, a group of elderly patients with CLBP (N=103) was compared with an age-matched group of pain-free individuals (N=59) to test the constructs inherent in the FABM.

TTM-based motivational counselling does not increase physical activity of low back pain patients in a primary care setting--A cluster-randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of a TTM-based motivational counselling approach by trained practice nurses to promote physical activity of low back pain patients in a German primary care setting.

Methods: Data were collected in a cluster-randomized controlled trial with three study arms via questionnaires and patient interviews at baseline and after 6 and 12 months. We analysed total physical activity and self-efficacy by using random effect models to allow for clustering.

Evaluating the accuracy of a simple heuristic to identify serious causes of low back pain.

Background: Among patients presenting with low back pain (LBP), GPs have to identify those with serious, treatable conditions. However, excluding these conditions in every patient with LPB is time consuming and of low yield. We have suggested that identifying those patients where these serious conditions need to be considered can be made more efficient through asking patient if they feel their LBP is new or unfamiliar in some way.