trease-et-al-2023-what-factors-do-clinicians-coaches-and-athletes-perceive-are-associated-with-recovery-from-low-back

Article Overview

• Research Report: Focuses on factors affecting recovery from low back pain (LBP) in elite athletes.

• Publication: Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, October 2023, Volume 53, Number 10.

Key Findings

• LBP in Athletes: Athletes experience a higher prevalence of LBP than the general community, with up to 90% of Olympic athletes affected during their careers.

• Risk Factors:

  • Traditional lifestyle risks (obesity, inactivity, smoking) are typically absent in athlete populations.

  • Once an athlete has LBP, their risk for subsequent episodes increases significantly.

• Recovery Challenges:

  • Factors influencing recovery in athletes are not well established, creating challenges for clinicians and coaches in predicting recovery time frames.

  • Instruments exist to aid recovery prediction for community members but need adaptation for athlete contexts.

Research Objectives

• Concept Mapping Study: Aims to identify athlete-specific recovery factors for LBP using a mixed-methods approach involving qualitative and quantitative data analysis.

• Participants:

  • Composed of clinicians (75%), coaches (15%), and athletes (10%) across multiple countries and sports.

  • Included brainstorming, sorting, and rating statements on recovery factors, with a focus on understanding the perceptions of key stakeholders.

Concepts and Methodology

• Method Steps:

  1. Brainstorming: Participants generated factors influencing recovery.

  2. Sorting: Statements were grouped thematically by participants.

  3. Rating: Each statement was evaluated for importance and feasibility on a Likert scale.

• Data Analysis Techniques:

  • Multidimensional scaling, hierarchical cluster analysis, and descriptive statistics used to interpret data.

Identified Themes

• Themes from Data:

  • Coach and Clinician Relationships: Effective communication and understanding are crucial for recovery.

  • Inter-disciplinary Team Factors: Collaboration among care providers noted as an important recovery element.

  • Athlete Psychological Factors: Psychological resilience, perceptions towards recovery, and mental state significantly correlate with recovery outcomes.

  • Athlete Rehabilitation Journey: Importance of tailored rehabilitation plans and goal setting identified.

  • Athlete Non-Modifiable Risk Factors: Past LBP history and career stage play roles in recovery.

  • Athlete Physical Factors: Physical conditions, including pain assessment and functional capacity, impact recovery.

Significance of Findings

• Implications for Practice:

  • Establishing a solid therapeutic alliance between the athlete and support staff is vital.

  • Effective communication regarding treatment options maximizes recovery potential.

  • Emphasizing psychological support throughout recovery is as crucial as physical treatments.

• Biopsychosocial Model Alignment: Aligns well with current paradigms in managing community-based LBP, suggesting that interdisciplinary strategies could enhance recovery approaches for elite athletes.

Recommendations for Clinicians and Coaches

• Considerations of psychological factors in managing athletic recovery should be integrated.

• High-quality communication and a well-coordinated care approach must be prioritized.

• Future research should continue to explore these factors in greater depth to define their specific relations to recovery outcomes.