Beliefs about low back pain in physiotherapy students

Authors

  • Claudio Carvajal-Parodi Universidad San Sebastián, Escuela de Kinesiología, Facultad de Odontología y Ciencias de la Rehabilitación. Lientur #1457, Concepción, Chile. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4271-9657
  • Camilo Ojeda Universidad San Sebastián, Programa Magíster en Kinesiología Musculoesquelética. Lientur #1457, Concepción, Chile. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1719-4772
  • Tomás Silva Universidad San Sebastián, Programa Magíster en Kinesiología Musculoesquelética. Lientur #1457, Concepción, Chile.
  • Cristhian Mendoza Universidad San Sebastián, Laboratorio de Neurobiología. Facultad de Odontología y Ciencias de la Rehabilitación. Lientur #1457, Concepción, Chile. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5038-0991
  • Andrés Riveros Valdés Universidad San Sebastián, Departamento de Ciencias Morfológicas, Facultad de Medicina y Ciencia. Lientur #1457, Concepción, Chile. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3655-6871
  • Francisco Guede-Rojas Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, 7591538, Chile. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1870-1396

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v49.98042

Keywords:

Pain, Low back pain, Negative beliefs about low back pain, Deyo’s myths, Physical therapy students

Abstract

Low back pain is a global health problem, and its level of disability depends, among other variables, on patients' negative beliefs regarding pain. Evidence supports that these beliefs are associated with those held by their treating professionals, so it is important to identify how they evolve during the undergraduate training of health professionals. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the presence of negative beliefs about low back pain in physical therapy students and compare them between different courses of the training cycle. Second, to fifth-year physiotherapy students from a Chilean university participated; they completed a survey based on Deyo's seven myths about low back pain and responded according to their degree of agreement with the statements. The results were compared between the different levels. 127 students completed the survey (57 males and 70 females). Myths 1, 2, 4, 6, and 7 were presented more frequently in the second year and tended to decrease progressively in higher grades. Myths 3 and 5 presented a less clear distributional pattern. Second-level students presented a higher degree of agreement with the myths, and third-level students presented greater insecurity in the answers. In contrast, fourth and fifth-level students presented greater disagreement with the myths. In conclusion, negative beliefs about low back pain may be present in physical therapy students, but these tend to modify positively throughout their formative process.

Keywords: Pain; Low back pain; Negative beliefs about low back pain; Deyo’s myths; Physical therapy students.

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Published

2023-06-28

How to Cite

Carvajal-Parodi, C., Ojeda, C., Silva , T., Mendoza, C., Riveros Valdés, A., & Guede-Rojas, F. (2023). Beliefs about low back pain in physiotherapy students. Retos, 49, 245–251. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v49.98042

Issue

Vol. 49 (2023)

Section

Original Research Article

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