The Effects of Physiotherapists' Attitudes Towards Complementary And Alternative Medicine on Their Perspectives To Chronic Low Back Pain

Year 2024, Volume: 5 Issue: 3, 160 - 165, 26.12.2024

Hümeyra Kiloatar

https://doi.org/10.53811/ijtcmr.1475621

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to investigate how the perspectives of physiotherapists on complementary and alternative medicine practices influence their strategies for chronic low back pain.
Material-Method:
The study included 162 physiotherapists. Participants' attitudes toward complementary and alternative medicine were assessed using Complementary, Alternative, and Traditional Medicine Attitude Scale. Physiotherapists' attitudes and beliefs related to chronic low back pain were evaluated using Pain Attitudes and Beliefs Scale.
Results: Positive significant correlations were observed between Complementary, Alternative, and Traditional Medicine Attitude Scale-Total Score and Pain Attitudes and Beliefs Scale Factor 1 (r=0.204, p=0.009) and Factor 2 (r=0.174, p=0.027).Significant correlation was found between Complementary, Alternative, and Traditional Medicine Attitude Scale-Philosophical congruence with complementary and alternative medicine subscore and Pain Attitudes and Beliefs Scale Factor 1 (r=0.319, p=0.000) and Factor 2 (r=0.286, p=0.000).Complementary, Alternative, and Traditional Medicine Attitude Scale-Holistic balance subscore showed significant correlation with Pain Attitudes and Beliefs Scale Factor 1 (r=0.222, p=0.005) and Factor 2 (r=0.155, p=0.049).
Conclusion: Physiotherapists with more positive attitude towards complementary and alternative medicine practices tend to lean towards biomedical approach to chronic low back pain. Increasing physiotherapists' knowledge about complementary and alternative medicine practices and evidence-based interventions may influence their approaches to chronic low back pain.

Keywords

Chronic low back pain, Complementary and alternative medicine, Physiotherapist

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