Promoting Factors, Barriers and Barrier Management to the Implementation of Health-Promoting Behavior among Rehabilitative Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain - A Qualitative Analysis

Abstract

Backgroundand aim: The long-term success of rehabilitation in chronic low back pain is not yet established. The present study examined promoting factors, barriers and barrier management of health-promoting behavior among rehabilitative patients. In total, 35 documents of patients of 4 inpatient behavioral medicine orthopedic rehabilitation clinics were included into the analysis of a written survey based on 3 open questions. The free-worded statements were electronically recorded and then analyzed by content analysis. Promoting factors of patients for the implementation of healthy life style behaviors included the learning of techniques for pain and stress management as well as increased volition and quality of life. Among patients with increased depressive symptoms, insufficient volition, family and professional pressures were identified as barriers. Finally, social support was reported to facilitate implementing health-promoting behavior into daily life. The results suggest that the long-term rehabilitation success can be improved by treating exercises to implement health-promoting behavior into daily life, applying individualized barrier management, and offering post-rehabilitative treatments in all communities.