The Interplay of Patient Demographics, Pain and Quality of Life in Chronic Low Back Pain Management Through Physiotherapy

Background: Chronic Lower Back Pain (CLBP) represents a pandemic diagnosis of contemporary society. Pain is a multidimensional personal experience influenced by various interrelated subjective and objective factors. In this study, we examined the impact of physiotherapeutic treatment on the quality of life (QoL) of patients with CLBP.

Methods: Multiple linear regression analysis, Paired Student's t-test, and Pearson Correlation were used to statistically analyse data collected through various measurement instruments: a demographic questionnaire, 36-Item Short Form Survey Instrument (SF-36v2) and the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS). A total of 123 participants (29 males, 94 females) with CLBP were included in the study, undergoing physiotherapeutic rehabilitation lasting eight working days.

Results: The findings indicate positive associations between Age, Education level, Female gender with QoL, while negative associations were observed between BMI, work experience, and Difference in pain with QoL. In the study, only SF36 dimensions showed statistically significant improvements following physiotherapy in individuals with chronic low back pain namely Pain Reduction, Social functioning and Physical Functioning.

Conclusion: The results provide a solid foundation for further professional and scientific research in this field, as well as for the complex multidisciplinary collaboration between physiotherapy and medical sciences.