[Fear avoidance beliefs, pain-related self-efficacy, and subjective work ability among back pain patients : A\xa0pilot study with voluntary subjects].

Abstract

BACKGROUND\nWork-related fear avoidance beliefs play an important role when considering subjective work ability among people with back pain. Pain-related self-efficacy is known as a\xa0predictor for physical activity and subjective work ability.\n\n\nOBJECTIVES\nThe present longitudinal study aims to investigate the relationships between work-related fear avoidance beliefs, pain-related self-efficacy, and subjective work ability among back pain patients.\n\n\nMATERIALS AND METHODS\nA total of 93\xa0people with back pain (M\u202f=\u200935.58 years, SD\u202f=\u200913.45; range: 18-69) were assessed at baseline and 4\xa0weeks later. Of the participants, 54.83% (n\u202f=\u200951) were female. Data analysis was performed with SPSS\xa025 using descriptive statistics and multiple regression methods.\n\n\nRESULTS\nWork-related fear avoidance beliefs were negatively related with subjective work ability at baseline. Pain-related self-efficacy moderated this relationship. The relationship was stronger at low and medium levels of pain-related self-efficacy. The moderation effect was not found when considering subjective work ability after 4\xa0weeks.\n\n\nCONCLUSION\nWork-related fear avoidance beliefs among back pain patients seem to be important for subjective work ability in the short term. This especially holds true when patients have low self-efficacy beliefs. The investigated constructs should be emphasized in the patient-centered therapy. Longitudinal studies with larger samples and more frequent follow-ups should be investigated in future studies.