Sexual Disability in Low Back Pain and Physiotherapy

A treatment centered on the person uses an approach capable of considering all the components of disability, from a physical, psychological and social point of views. Some studies have shown that sexual function is disturbed in subjects with low back pain (LBP) and sexual disability can contribute to a deterioration in quality of life. It has also been shown that, in sexually active patients complaining of LBP, sexuality is a significant mediator of the relationship between pain intensity and depressive symptoms.

The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) includes a specific item to investigate sexual function (item #8). A previous study of ours confirmed the relationship between sexual disability detected by the ODI and the presence of depression, avoidance of activities and rumination (Ferrari et al. 2019 - Digital Object Identifier: 10.1589/jpts.31.360).

The discussion on sexual disability among patients and healthcare professionals is very limited, although patients require more involvement from clinicians, especially physiotherapists, as evidenced by our previous qualitative study (Ferrari et al. 2020 - Digital Object Identifier: 10.1080/09638288.2020 .1817161).

Although studies on this topic have highlighted the importance of this disability in the life of subjects complaining of LBP, little has been investigated on clinical behaviors of the physiotherapists in this area.

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Key information

Conditions

Low Back Pain Back Pain Genital Diseases Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Sex Disorder Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological Signs and Symptoms Urogenital Diseases

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi

Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, 40138, Italy

About this study

The goal of this observational study is to learn about the clinical behaviors of Italian physiotherapists in the management of LBP-related sexual disability. The main questions it aims to answer are:

the knowledge of this topic;
the ways in which sexual disability is detected in patients complaining of LBP (Oswestry Disability Index, specific open or closed questions, patient' reporting, etc.);
the difficulties and obstacles in the management of sexual disability;
the suggestions provided to the patient;
the therapeutic strategies (procedures for pain modulation, exercises addressed to lumbar mobility, strength, endurance, etc.);
the possible involvement of the patient' partner;
the outcome measures.

The hypothesis of this survey is to highlight the degree of attention and competence of Italian physiotherapists with respect to this topic, the critical issues and therapeutic strategies for the management of LBP-related sexual disability.

Participants will answer to a online questionnaire.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Being a physiotherapist registered with AIFI
Carrying out physiotherapy treatments on subjects with low back pain
Agreement to voluntarily sign informed consent to participate in the study
Agreement to voluntarily sign consent to data processing

Exclusion criteria

Inability to understand written Italian
Being a retired physiotherapist

Treatment and study plan

Survey

Other

Online survey via a questionnaire composed of 28 questions.

Primary outcomes

Clinical behaviors of Italian physiotherapists regarding sexual disability in patients with low back pain

Time frame: From date of first completion of the survey until the date of last completion of the survey.

Level of attention and competence of Italian physiotherapists with respect to sexual disability related to low back pain, critical issues, opportunities and therapeutic strategies adopted in the management of sexual disability related to LBP.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Bologna

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Sexual Disability Related to Low Back Pain. Online Survey Among Italian Physiotherapists.

Important dates

Study start: 2023
Primary completion: 2023
Study completion: 2023
First posted: Dec 5, 2022
Registry last updated: Jul 12, 2023

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

Completed