Background & Aims

This qualitative study aims to understand the perceptions and experiences of older people with non-specific low back pain after 8 weeks of group exercise. Low back pain is the most common musculoskeletal condition and one of the main causes of disability in older people. This population also has low adherence to treatment, especially to exercise. Qualitative analysis can help apply evidence-based practice by identifying the most important elements of interventions and patient preferences. Besides the benefits of exercise, other factors such as social interaction, sharing of ideas, coping strategies and therapist-patient interaction can influence patients’ perception of the intervention. This aspect is relevant for this population, which is vulnerable to social isolation, a negative factor for low back pain. The objective of this study is to explore how older people experience group exercise to manage low back pain.

Methods

This qualitative study uses an interpretive phenomenological approach to collect and analyze data about the experiences and perceptions of older people with nonspecific low back pain after 8 weeks of group exercise. Data collection was conducted through focus groups, formed according to the exercise group and the participants’ neighborhood. An advisory group developed the open-ended questions used in the focus groups. The aim of the focus groups was to explore how participants experienced the group exercise program and what factors influenced their adherence and impact on their daily lives. The focus group facilitator interviewer had experience in group physiotherapy and used a sensitive interview approach. A digital voice recorder was used to record each focus group discussion and the recordings were later transcribed. The Descending Hierarchical Classification analysis was performed using the IRAMUTEQ software.

Results

There was identification of 6 classes: 1) Aspects related to improving sleep (Improvement in sleep quality and quantity, disposition, and productivity after group-based exercise/GBE); 2) Aspects related to improvement in pain and disability (Reduction in pain frequency and intensity, increase in daily living activities after GE); 3) Aspects related to satisfaction with GE (Preference for group exercise, social interaction, cooperation, motivation, support, fun and pleasure); 4) Demand for continuous assistance (Desire for program continuity, benefit perception, trust, and recognition of the professional and the treatment); 5) Accessibility and adequacy of the exercise protocol (Program implementation in the community, adaptation to individual physical capabilities, respect for the older people limitations and preferences); 6) Importance of the psychosocial support network (Participation in other community activities, contribution to psychological and social well-being).

Conclusions

The conclusion of this qualitative study is that older people with non-specific low back pain have positive perceptions and experiences of group exercise after 8 weeks of intervention. The results show that group exercise not only improves pain intensity and disability, but also sleep, productivity, satisfaction, and psychosocial well-being. The results also show the factors that influence the adherence and preference of older people to group exercise, such as social interaction, cooperation, motivation, support, fun, pleasure, trust, recognition, accessibility, adequacy, and continuity. These findings are important to understand the perspective of older people on group exercise and to improve the adherence and effectiveness of the treatment.

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Presenting Author

Vinícius Oliveira

Poster Authors

Vinicius Oliveira

PhD

Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri

Lead Author

Hytalo Silva

Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri (UFVJM)

Lead Author

Júlio Miranda

Department of Physiotherapy, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri (UFVJM)

Lead Author

Nathalia Veloso

Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri (UFVJM)

Lead Author

Whesley Silva

Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri (UFVJM)

Lead Author

Alessandra Bastone

Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri (UFVJM)

Lead Author

Marivaldo Carvalho

Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri (UFVJM)

Lead Author

Topics

  • Evidence, Clinical Trials, Systematic Review, Guidelines, and Implementation Science