Identifying the low back pain-related attitudes, beliefs of Turkish physiotherapists' and associated factors

PurposeThe aim of the research is to determine the biomedical and biopsychosocial approaches of Turkish physiotherapists towards chronic non-specific low back pain (CNLBP) and related factors.MethodsThis research, planned as a cross-sectional study, was completed with the inclusion of 134 physiotherapists using the online survey method. Attitudes and beliefs of Turkish physiotherapists regarding CNLBP were evaluated using Health Care Providers' Pain and Impairment Relationship Scale (HC-PAIRS), Pain Attitudes and Beliefs Scale for Physiotherapists (PABS-PT) and Revised Neurophysiology of Pain Questionnaire (RNPQ). The characteristics of the participants were also evaluated. Spearman's correlation and simple linear regression analysis were conducted between the characteristics and attitudes and beliefs of Turkish physiotherapists towards CNLBP.ResultsSimple linear regression analysis showed presence of training on low back pain (LBP) was associated with lower HC-PAIRS scores. Relationship between professional experience and the biomedical (r: -0.205, p: .018) and biopsychosocial orientation (r: -0.180, p: .038) was observed. Additionally, higher level of education was associated with higher RNPQ scores (r: 0.193, p: .025).ConclusionsThe results of the study show that factors such as education level, years of professional experience and receiving training on LBP affect Turkish physiotherapists' attitudes and beliefs towards CN.