A systematic review on self-management education campaigns for back pain.
Loveness A Nkhata, Yolandi Brink, Dawn Ernstzen and 1 others
PMID 31535051WHAT IT FOUND
Mass media campaigns telling people to stay active for back pain improved public beliefs and reduced healthcare use in five high-income countries.
The message that rest is unnecessary shifted attitudes and lowered claims, offering a model for community education even if long-term clinical outcomes varied.
Key findings
01Campaigns significantly improved back pain beliefs in the general population across four countries.
02Healthcare utilisation and back pain claims declined following the campaigns, with significant reductions in claims reported in Australia.
03The specific message to stay active was supported by participants and showed sustained positive shifts in beliefs about activity.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
Only five studies were included, limiting the breadth of evidence. All studies were conducted in high-income countries, so results may not directly transfer to low- and middle-income settings. Study designs were heterogeneous (quasi-experimental, observational), making direct comparison difficult. Some outcomes were self-reported, and not all studies reported statistically significant effects on all measured variables. Data on pain relief medication use and doctor visits was missing or not reported in several studies.
Declared interests
No specific conflicts of interest or funding declarations are provided in the supplied text.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume these campaigns are equally effective in all settings or that they guarantee reduced disability. The review notes that outcomes were not entirely comparable and that significant effects on sick leave and claims were not consistently observed across all studies, with some trends being non-significant.