Readiness to adopt adequate postural habits: an application of the Transtheoretical Model in the context of back pain prevention

Based on a biomechanical model, an adequate body posture can contribute to the prevention of back pain and back pain chronicity. This study examines t he explanatory value of the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) for the adoption o f adequate postural habits in a cross-sectional sample of 149 employees of a German administration unit (mean age 40.2 years, 50% female). Using newly developed instruments with satisfactory psychometric properties, basic ass umptions of the TTM could be confirmed: self-efficacy and the perceived pro s for maintaining a good body posture increased significantly across the st ages, while the perceived cons decreased. Additionally, the use of preventi ve strategies for back pain prevention increased linearly and significantly across the stages of change. The study supports the applicability of the T TM for postural behavior. Considering stages of change as an intervening va riable may contribute to clarifying the relationship between participation in low back schools and prevention of back pain chronicity. Longitudinal an d intervention study data are needed to support these assumptions. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.