The Impact of Chronic Low Back Pain on Daily Occupations: A Qualitative Study in Iranian Context مقالة

Objectives: Low back pain is one of the main health problems which affect many people worldwide. The daily course of life is highly disrupted due to the chronic back pain problem. This study aims to explore the occupational performance of individuals with chronic low back pain. Methods: Fifteen people with chronic low back pain were included in this study using purposeful sampling. The participants were interviewed, and a qualitative content analysis was employed to analyze the data. Results: The three main resulted themes were: 1) Occupational disturbance because of low back pain; 2) Difficulty in moving around and remaining in any given position; and 3) Permanent mind struggle owing to back pain. People with chronic low back pain experience difficulty in all areas of daily occupation including self-care, work, and leisure, plus having trouble with being physically active and being persistent in certain positions. Furthermore, mind struggle with back pain which implies preoccupation with back pain in addition to fear of movement are other findings of present study. Discussion: Chronic low back pain greatly influences the daily occupations of individuals. Mind struggle with back pain, which implies preoccupation with back pain, in addition to the fear of movement are significant findings of the present study. Occupational therapists can play an important role in re-engagement of people with chronic low back pain in their daily occupations.

The Impact of Chronic Low Back Pain on Daily Occupations: A Qualitative Study in Iranian Context Fariba Dehkordi1, Hamid Reza Khankeh2,3, Afsoon Hassani Mehraban4, Seyed Ali Hosseini5* CrossMark 1. 08140103 Article info: Received: 29 Jun. 2015 Accepted: 24 Oct. 2015 Keywords: Daily occupation, Chronic low back pain, Qualitative study, Occupational performance A B S T R A C T Objectives: Low back pain is one of the main health problems which affect many people worldwide. People with chronic low back pain experience difficulty in all areas of daily occupation including self-care, work, and leisure, plus having trouble with being physically active and being persistent in certain positions. Consequently, I try to sit in Prevented running and doing exercise secondary to BP Discarding sport activities despite being interested in them Being in every position for a long time leads to low back pain Remaining in seated position, leads to back stiffness Back pain anticipation before doing movements Permanent care of the back Fear of pain affecting move- Limitation of physical activity Problem in being in sus- tained positions Preoccupation with back pain Difficulty in moving around and remaining in positions Permanent mind struggle with back pain cross-legged position without bending over. The three main resulted themes were: 1) Occupational disturbance because of CLBP including CLBP as a barrier for leisure activities, interference with work activities and interruption of activi- ties of daily living; 2) Difficulty in moving around and re- maining in certain positions including limitation of physical activity and problem in being in sustained position; and 3) Permanent mind struggle with back pain including preoc- cupation with back pain and fear of movement.