A Study on Adjustment of Daily Living and Body Image of Patients with Low Back Pain

요통환자의 신체상과 생활적응에 관한 연구

The purpose of this study is to identify the body images of patints with low back pain and their status on adjustment of daily living. The data were collected from 11 general hospitals during Feburary 2, 1987 through May 30,1987. One hundred and ninety five subjects having physical therapy treatment because of low back pain were analyzed. For measurement of body image, 11 pairs of adjectives were used on semantic differential scale, and for measurement of adjustment of daily living, 10 items were used on a likert type scale. Results of the study are summerised as follows. 1. The average patient age were 34yeats and 62% of the patients were men. High school grade completed were 43.1% and Cause of Low Back Pain were respctively;Unknown etiology 31.8%, lifting heavy objects 27.7%, Traffic accident and injury 17.9%. Types of treatment were;medication plus physical therapy 54.9%, physical therapy only 22.6%. Average treatment duration were 24.5 months. 2. There were significant difference in the body image between before low back pain and after low back pain. The body image before low back pain were 59.89(Mean) but after low back pain were 37,24(Mean) and two groups were statistically significant (t=21.3, p<0.00l). 3. there were no significant difference in the body image between the male and female.(t=1.49, p＞0.05) 4. The correlation between body image and adjustment of daily living. in both sexes showed positive correlation coefficient; male(r=0.4648, p<0.00l) female(r=0.4516, p<0.00l) respectively. It means that patients with positive body image can adjust well in daily living. 5. The relation between the body image and general variables revealed sigificant difference with occupation and age.(F=2.12 p<0.05, F=3.48 p<0.05). That is different occupation and different age groups can show different body image. In conculsion with the above results, It is my strong belief that multidisciplinary approach including the concept of body image and patient education about postural care, activities of daily living, lifting mechanics should be applied in treating and dealing with those patients.