Global perceived improvement and health-related quality of life after physical therapy in Lebanese patients with chronic non-specific low back pain

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of physical therapy (PT) in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain (CNSLBP) is mainly evaluated through pain, disability, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). However, recent studies have recommended the consideration of improvement from patients' perspectives. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the global perception of improvement in Lebanese patients with CNSLBP who have undergone PT, the HRQOL levels, as well as pain intensity. METHODS: 132 patients with CNSLBP who have undergone PT completed a questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic and CNSLBP characteristics questions, pain intensity numeric scale (NRS), 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12), and the Global Perceived Effect scale (GPE). Binary logistic regressions and Pearson correlation coefficient were used for analyses. RESULTS: Global perceived improvement of PT varies according to HRQOL levels. A significant correlation was found between pain intensity after PT, perceived improvement from PT, and HRQOL. Educational level and pain irradiation have been shown to be predictive factors of perceived improvement after PT. CONCLUSION: Pain and HRQOL are interrelated and contributed to elucidating the global perception of improvement after PT in patients with CNSLBP. The findings suggest that patients' global perception of improvement should be considered in evaluating the benefits of physical therapy in addition to pain and HRQOL.