Perceptions and Response to Conservative Treatment of Low Back Pain in Soldiers During Initial Entry Training: A Convergence Mixed Methods Study. (21st March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schoonover, Cortney M; Turner, Stephen L; Woods, Yvette; Smith-Forbes, Enrique; Rhon, Daniel I
• Is Part Of: Military medicine. Volume 184(2019)Supplement 1
• Page Start: 550
• Page End: 556
• Publication Date: 2019-03-21
• Subjects: low back pain -- Soldier -- initial entry training -- psychosocial risk factors -- self-management; Surgery, Military -- Societies, etc; Medicine, Military -- Societies, etc; Medicine, Military -- Periodicals; Surgery, Military -- Periodicals; Medicine, Military; Surgery, Military; Military Medicine -- Periodicals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.98023
• DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usy345
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0026-4075

Abstract

Abstract: Low back pain (LBP) is a common condition suffered by military personnel. Psychosocial factors play a role in LBP prognosis and can be addressed with self-management tools. This study's purpose was to (1) describe clinical changes in psychosocial factors of LBP following a self-management intervention and (2) explore the LBP experience of military trainees. Ten participants in Initial Entry Training (IET) were included in this mixed methods study. A self-management intervention of exercises and psychosocial education was provided. Quantitative instruments assessing psychosocial factors were delivered at baseline and 6 weeks. Qualitative data were gathered after treatment and analyzed using a phenomenological approach. Low levels of psychosocial risk factors were reported. Patient satisfaction (COPM-Satisfaction subscale) was the only outcome that achieved statistical significance at 6 weeks ( p = 0.037). Three themes emerged from the qualitative results: the influence of the military culture on recovery from LBP, the LBP experience of a trainee, and promoting the self-management of LBP . While this cohort of IET soldiers exhibited low levels of psychosocial risk factors, qualitative reports indicate that LBP has a negative impact on participation in training, academics, and interpersonal relationships. The constraints of military training make seeking care and applying treatment strategies challenging.