Predictors of self-reported physical activity level in patients with non-specific chronic low back pain

Abstract

Background: Physical activity (PA) and exercise is recommended in clinical guidelines for the maintenance of good health status and management of Non-specific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP). At present, no study has evaluated the predictive factors of self-reported PA level among patients with NSCLBP. This study sought to determine the predictors of self-reported PA level among patients with NSCLBP. Methods: This cross-sectional survey involved 57 participants conveniently recruited from the physiotherapy department of a tertiary hospital. Four self-administered questionnaires: A structured socio-demographic data questionnaire, Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ), Modified Assessing Levels of Physical Activity (ALPHA) environmental questionnaire and long form of International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) were used for data collection. Descriptive statistics was used to summarize data in the frequency and percentage tables. A step-wise multiple regressions were used to determine the predictors of the four domains of PA (job-related (JRPA), transport—related (TRPA), domestic/garden-related (DGPA) and leisure time-related (LTPA)). Alpha level was set at p<0.05. Results: Males had a higher JRPA, TRPA and LTPA. Females had a higher DGPA. The socio-demographic, clinical and environmental variables assessed in the study were only able to account for 45.9%, 60.6%, 97% and 60.7% of the variance in JRPA, TRPA, DGPA and LTPA domains respectively. Conclusion: PA level of NSCLBP patients were moderately high and predicted by some socio-demographic, clinical and perceived environmental variables. More emphasis should be placed on the assessment of these selected variables to improve on the management of NSCLBP and thus obtain optimum outcome.