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A systematic review and meta-synthesis of the impact of low back pain on people's lives

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Froud, Robert J., Patterson, Sue, Eldridge, Sandra, Seale, Clive, Pincus, Tamar, Rajendran, Dévan, Fossum, Christian and Underwood, Martin (2014) A systematic review and meta-synthesis of the impact of low back pain on people's lives. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, Volume 15 (Number 1). Article number 50. doi:10.1186/1471-2474-15-50 ISSN 1471-2474.

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2474-15-50

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Abstract

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a common and costly problem that many interpret within a biopsychosocial model. There is renewed concern that core-sets of outcome measures do not capture what is important. To inform debate about the coverage of back pain outcome measure core-sets, and to suggest areas worthy of exploration within healthcare consultations, we have synthesised the qualitative literature on the impact of low back pain on people’s lives.

Methods: Two reviewers searched CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, PEDro, and Medline, identifying qualitative studies of people’s experiences of non-specific LBP. Abstracted data were thematic coded and synthesised using a meta-ethnographic, and a meta-narrative approach.

Results: We included 49 papers describing 42 studies. Patients are concerned with engagement in meaningful activities; but they also want to be believed and have their experiences and identity, as someone ‘doing battle’ with pain, validated. Patients seek diagnosis, treatment, and cure, but also reassurance of the absence of pathology. Some struggle to meet social expectations and obligations. When these are achieved, the credibility of their pain/disability claims can be jeopardised. Others withdraw, fearful of disapproval, or unable or unwilling to accommodate social demands. Patients generally seek to regain their pre-pain levels of health, and physical and emotional stability. After time, this can be perceived to become unrealistic and some adjust their expectations accordingly.

Conclusions: The social component of the biopsychosocial model is not well represented in current core-sets of outcome measures. Clinicians should appreciate that the broader impact of low back pain includes social factors; this may be crucial to improving patients’ experiences of health care. Researchers should consider social factors to help develop a portfolio of more relevant outcome measures.

Item Type: Journal Article
Subjects: R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
Divisions: Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Medicine > Warwick Medical School > Health Sciences
Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Medicine > Warwick Medical School
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): Backache -- Psychological aspects
Journal or Publication Title: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
Publisher: Biomed Central
ISSN: 1471-2474
Official Date: 21 February 2014
Dates:
DateEvent
21 February 2014Published
22 January 2014Accepted
Volume: Volume 15
Number: Number 1
Number of Pages: 14
Article Number: Article number 50
DOI: 10.1186/1471-2474-15-50
Status: Peer Reviewed
Publication Status: Published
Access rights to Published version: Open Access (Creative Commons)
Date of first compliant deposit: 26 December 2015
Date of first compliant Open Access: 26 December 2015
Funder: Arthritis Research UK
Grant number: 19480 (ARUK)

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