Investigation Of Low Back Pain Knowledge Level And Attitudes And Behaviors Of Physiotherapy And Rehabilitation Students

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background and aim: Students’ awareness of low back pain should be increased in undergraduate education in order to increase their ability to use evidence-based practices while undertaking the treatment of patients with low back pain. This study was conducted to determine the knowledge levels of low back pain and their beliefs and attitudes towards low back pain, and to investigate the relationship between knowledge level and beliefs-attitudes of senior physiotherapy students. Materials and methods: A total of 235 students (153 females, 82 males) from Pamukkale University School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation who received training in Neurosurgery and Rehabilitation Clinical Practice were included. The knowledge levels of the students about low back pain were determined by the Low Back Pain Knowledge Questionnaire (LBPKQ). Their orientation in the treatment of low back pain was evaluated with the Physiotherapists' Attitudes and Beliefs Questionnaire about Low Back Pain (PABS-PT-TR). Results: The mean age of the students was 22.78±1.96 years. LBPKQ mean was 19.25±3.05. The mean biomedical orientation sub-dimension of the PABS-PT-TR questionnaire was 32.45±4.83 points, and mean biopsychosocial orientation sub-dimension was 23.14±4.13 points. There was no statistically significant relationship between LBPKQ and PABS-PT-TR sub-dimensions (p>0.05). Conclusion: Attitudes and behaviors of students about low back pain were mostly related to body structure and functions. However, it is important to evaluate and treat the patient not only from a biological point of view but also from a biopsychosocial point of view in order to achieve success in the treatment of low back pain.