Sexual Disability in Low Back Pain and Physiotherapy

Low Back Pain, Sex Disorder

sexual disability, physical therapy, low back pain

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.

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.

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