Improving communication skills and exercise compliance in physiotherapy (CONNECT) trial: Examining intervention implementation fidelity

Abstract

Introduction: Low back pain (LBP) is a significant global health problem, second only to the common cold as a reason for work absences. Physical activity and exercise therapy are among the accepted LBP rehabilitation guidelines, but patient adherence is often poor. CONNECT is a communication skills training program, grounded in self-determination theory, designed to enhance physiotherapists’ autonomy support in order to increase chronic LBP patients’ adherence, thereby improving treatment outcomes.