Attitudes and beliefs of physiotherapists in the management of chronic low back pain- An Indian perspective

Chronic low back pain is recognized as a serious economic, medical and social issue that poses significant obstacles to health care. Evidence shows that a majority of physiotherapists use a biomedical approach in order to treat chronic low back pain which influences patients’ adherence to interventions provided by their physiotherapist. However, the treatment orientation of Indian physiotherapists towards chronic low back pain is unknown. This cross- sectional survey is aimed at identifying the attitudes and beliefs of physiotherapists in the management of chronic low back pain in India as they are essential in its management. The outcome measure that will be used is the Pain Attitudes and Beliefs Scale for Physiotherapists (PABS- PT) which is a 19- item self- administered questionnaire. The scale will be used to assess whether practicing Indian physiotherapists have more of a biomedical or biopsychosocial orientation while treating chronic low back pain.