Health locus of control beliefs and psychological distress as predictors for treatment outcome in low-back pain patients: results of a 3-month follow-up of a controlled intervention study.

Association of health locus of control beliefs (HLC) and psychological distress (GHQ-12) with short-term outcome of low-back pain (LBP) rehabilitation was studied in patients with chronic or recurrent LBP (n = 459; aged 35-54 years; 63% men). These patients were randomly assigned to 3 study groups, namely the inpatient, the outpatient and the control group. The results showed a significant decrease in disability due to LBP in the 2 treated groups; in addition, the accomplishment and frequency of back exercises was significantly better in the treated groups. HLC beliefs were associated with a successful outcome; those patients with stronger internal beliefs had gained more from the treatment, had learned their exercises better and had done the exercises more frequently during the follow-up period. Symptoms of psychological distress were significantly associated with poorer accomplishment of back exercises.

Symptoms of psychological distress and treatment effects with low-back pain patients.

The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between psychological distress, the severity of low-back pain and the response of 54-63-year-old male in- and outpatients to low-back treatment. The correlation between the index of psychological distress and the back pain index was statistically significant, but relatively low. In the outpatient group (n = 63) those with fewer symptoms of distress and those not employed benefited significantly more from the treatment. In the inpatient group (n = 88), such clear differences were not found. The effects of treatment for low-back pain were relatively short-lived in both groups, whilst the number of inpatients reporting a large variety of positive effects after the treatment was greater. Differences between the two types of treatment are discussed.