TREATMENT CATEGORIES FOR LOW-BACK-PAIN - A METHODOLOGICAL APPROACH

Studies that evaluate effectiveness of physical therapy can be problem atic because frequently several treatment techniques are used during a n episode of care. Methods that categorize treatment techniques into d iscrete categories may be useful in studying treatment outcomes. The p urpose of this study was to describe a method to create treatment cate gories used for patients with low back pain. We surveyed physical ther apists in Virginia to identify frequently used treatments for patients with low back pain. One hundred fifty-five surveys were completed. Tw enty-eight treatments, used frequently or very frequently by 50% or mo re of the respondents, were retained for analysis. Factor analysis was used to identify treatment categories. Seven categories were identifi ed: McKenzie approach, manual therapy, exercise with equipment, active and stretching exercise, physical agents, aerobic exercise and walkin g, and ergonomic activities. Indices for the categories were created. Confirmatory factor analyses should be performed on a different sample to validate these findings.