Development and feasibility testing of a web-based self-management intervention for nurses with low back pain: a mixed method study
Publication Date
December 15, 2022
Creator
Abstract
Background:
Low back pain (LBP) is known to be a major occupational hazard among healthcare workers which can lead to a significant health and economic burden. Globally nurses have a higher prevalence of LBP compared to other occupations, thus resulting in decreased job productivity, higher rates of absenteeism, disability and functional limitation. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), similar findings in a number of studies have indicated a high prevalence of LBP prevalence which correlates with statistical data in other countries. This makes the prevention of and intervention strategies for the management of LBP among the nursing profession a key priority. The use of digital technology as an intervention is considered an innovative strategy for approaching behavioural self-management for patients with LBP, and to provide clinically significant effects in self-reported outcome measures of pain intensity, disability, quality of life and physical activity (PA) that can subsequently have a positive impact on those afflicted with this condition thereby enhancing levels of patient care for their organisations respectively.
Objectives:
The primary objective of this study is to test the feasibility and acceptability of the web-based intervention programme for self- management of LBP (WBI-BACK) among the nursing population in the KSA. The secondary objectives were to identify potential changes in outcome measures to assess the delivery of the WBI-BACK programme to nurses in a future clinical trial.
Methods:
This study employed a convergent parallel mixed method research (MMR) design, which was based on a feasibility study design. The participants were recruited from the King Fahd Medical City (KFMC) Rehabilitation Hospital based in Riyadh; KSA. The primary outcomes of the definitive planned study were descriptive and used to evaluate the feasibility of the study design including recruitment rate, attrition rate, feasibility of outcome measures, intervention adherence and experiences of the intervention components. Secondary outcomes involve exploratory analysis of LBP-related measures including PA, fear-avoidance beliefs, pain intensity, physical functioning, quality of life and self-efficacy. Quantitative data was conducted by two groups (an LBP group and NO LBP group) pre- and post- intervention through primary and secondary outcomes at baseline and 6 weeks after the WBI-BACK intervention. Qualitative data was collected through semi-structured interviews.
Results:
Fifty-three nurses (35 nurses - LBP group; 18 nurses - NO LBP group) were recruited. The findings from quantitative data indicated the feasibility of the primary outcomes. Nurses in both groups improved in their secondary outcome measures after the WBI-BACK intervention. Thematic analysis of the interview data from 16 nurses revealed four themes (nurses’ perception of usability of the WBI-BACK programme, nurses’ perception on potential WBI-BACK programme usefulness, nurses’ engagement with the WBI-BACK programme and nurses’ attitude towards the WBI-BACK programme) relating to the necessary features required of the WBI-BACK programme to enable its successful use with the nurses. Following quantitative and qualitative data analysis, data were assessed against a priori defined feasibility success criteria. The results indicated the feasibility of the research process and the data collection; three out of five a priori feasibility criteria were met (recruitment rate, attrition rate and experience of the intervention), while the last two (intervention adherence and feasibility of outcome measures) were met with some modification.
Conclusion:
The WBI-BACK programme is currently being evaluated in a feasibility trial. Based on the results of this study, it can be inferred that the WBI-BACK programme is feasible and can be used for nurses in the KSA with LBP. This thesis proposes exciting opportunities of future research, involving a definitive trial to examine the efficacy and long-term effectiveness of WBI-BACK programme for nurses and other health care workers in the Saudi Context.
Item Type
ethesis
Thesis Type
PhD
Supervisors
Subjects (LC)
Associated Schools / Departments
School of Health Sciences
eprints ID
71332
UoN Repository URI
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