An exploration of experiences and beliefs about low back pain with Arab Muslim patients

Dana Maki; Heidi Lempp; Duncan Critchley

doi:10.1080/09638288.2021.1928301

An exploration of experiences and beliefs about low back pain with Arab Muslim patients

Dana Maki^*, Heidi Lempp, Duncan Critchley

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Purpose: Pain has psychological, social, physical and spiritual dimensions and therefore this experience is influenced by culture. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences and beliefs of Arab Muslim patients with low back pain (LBP) in Bahrain. Methods: We recruited Arab Muslim patients attending physiotherapy with LBP ≥3 months, and ≥18 years of age. Socio-demographic information and a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score for pain intensity were collected. Focus groups were conducted between 2013–2014, using pre-determined semi-structured interview questions. Qualitative content analysis was applied with single counting and inclusion of negative instances. Results: 18 participants attended three focus groups (14 females and 4 males) with a mean VAS(SD) = 5.28(±1.97). Five themes were identified; (1) loss of independence, (2)change in identity causes distress, (3) beliefs and attitudes towards low back pain, (4)trying to cope with LBP, and (5)experiences within the healthcare system. Conclusions: Religious and cultural beliefs influenced pain-related beliefs, fear-avoidance beliefs and catastrophizing. We recommend addressing cultural gender roles and using “active” forms of religious coping to inform treatment. Participants’ experiences within and experiences of the healthcare system were similar to Western cultures. This encourages the application of Western findings into practice to facilitate the management of these patients.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION A qualitative exploration was undertaken to explore the experiences of Muslim and/or Arab patients with LBP. Our findings show that females have prioritised family needs over their own, primarily due to perceived gender roles. Contrary to previous findings labelling religious coping as a passive strategy, our findings suggest that religious coping strategies can be both positive and active strategies; such as participation in religious occasions and frequenting mosques. We support recommendations from Western literature to manage LBP; such as prioritising patient education and joint decision-making.

Original language	English
Journal	Disability and Rehabilitation
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2021.1928301
Publication status	Accepted/In press - 2021

Keywords

Arabic
cultural competency
culture
low back pain
pain beliefs
pain coping mechanisms

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10.1080/09638288.2021.1928301

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title = "An exploration of experiences and beliefs about low back pain with Arab Muslim patients",

abstract = "Purpose: Pain has psychological, social, physical and spiritual dimensions and therefore this experience is influenced by culture. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences and beliefs of Arab Muslim patients with low back pain (LBP) in Bahrain. Methods: We recruited Arab Muslim patients attending physiotherapy with LBP ≥3 months, and ≥18 years of age. Socio-demographic information and a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score for pain intensity were collected. Focus groups were conducted between 2013–2014, using pre-determined semi-structured interview questions. Qualitative content analysis was applied with single counting and inclusion of negative instances. Results: 18 participants attended three focus groups (14 females and 4 males) with a mean VAS(SD) = 5.28(±1.97). Five themes were identified; (1) loss of independence, (2)change in identity causes distress, (3) beliefs and attitudes towards low back pain, (4)trying to cope with LBP, and (5)experiences within the healthcare system. Conclusions: Religious and cultural beliefs influenced pain-related beliefs, fear-avoidance beliefs and catastrophizing. We recommend addressing cultural gender roles and using “active” forms of religious coping to inform treatment. Participants{\textquoteright} experiences within and experiences of the healthcare system were similar to Western cultures. This encourages the application of Western findings into practice to facilitate the management of these patients.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION A qualitative exploration was undertaken to explore the experiences of Muslim and/or Arab patients with LBP. Our findings show that females have prioritised family needs over their own, primarily due to perceived gender roles. Contrary to previous findings labelling religious coping as a passive strategy, our findings suggest that religious coping strategies can be both positive and active strategies; such as participation in religious occasions and frequenting mosques. We support recommendations from Western literature to manage LBP; such as prioritising patient education and joint decision-making.",

keywords = "Arabic, cultural competency, culture, low back pain, pain beliefs, pain coping mechanisms",

author = "Dana Maki and Heidi Lempp and Duncan Critchley",

year = "2021",

doi = "10.1080/09638288.2021.1928301",

language = "English",

journal = "Disability and Rehabilitation",

issn = "0963-8288",

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T1 - An exploration of experiences and beliefs about low back pain with Arab Muslim patients

AU - Maki, Dana

AU - Lempp, Heidi

AU - Critchley, Duncan

PY - 2021

Y1 - 2021

N2 - Purpose: Pain has psychological, social, physical and spiritual dimensions and therefore this experience is influenced by culture. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences and beliefs of Arab Muslim patients with low back pain (LBP) in Bahrain. Methods: We recruited Arab Muslim patients attending physiotherapy with LBP ≥3 months, and ≥18 years of age. Socio-demographic information and a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score for pain intensity were collected. Focus groups were conducted between 2013–2014, using pre-determined semi-structured interview questions. Qualitative content analysis was applied with single counting and inclusion of negative instances. Results: 18 participants attended three focus groups (14 females and 4 males) with a mean VAS(SD) = 5.28(±1.97). Five themes were identified; (1) loss of independence, (2)change in identity causes distress, (3) beliefs and attitudes towards low back pain, (4)trying to cope with LBP, and (5)experiences within the healthcare system. Conclusions: Religious and cultural beliefs influenced pain-related beliefs, fear-avoidance beliefs and catastrophizing. We recommend addressing cultural gender roles and using “active” forms of religious coping to inform treatment. Participants’ experiences within and experiences of the healthcare system were similar to Western cultures. This encourages the application of Western findings into practice to facilitate the management of these patients.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION A qualitative exploration was undertaken to explore the experiences of Muslim and/or Arab patients with LBP. Our findings show that females have prioritised family needs over their own, primarily due to perceived gender roles. Contrary to previous findings labelling religious coping as a passive strategy, our findings suggest that religious coping strategies can be both positive and active strategies; such as participation in religious occasions and frequenting mosques. We support recommendations from Western literature to manage LBP; such as prioritising patient education and joint decision-making.

AB - Purpose: Pain has psychological, social, physical and spiritual dimensions and therefore this experience is influenced by culture. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences and beliefs of Arab Muslim patients with low back pain (LBP) in Bahrain. Methods: We recruited Arab Muslim patients attending physiotherapy with LBP ≥3 months, and ≥18 years of age. Socio-demographic information and a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score for pain intensity were collected. Focus groups were conducted between 2013–2014, using pre-determined semi-structured interview questions. Qualitative content analysis was applied with single counting and inclusion of negative instances. Results: 18 participants attended three focus groups (14 females and 4 males) with a mean VAS(SD) = 5.28(±1.97). Five themes were identified; (1) loss of independence, (2)change in identity causes distress, (3) beliefs and attitudes towards low back pain, (4)trying to cope with LBP, and (5)experiences within the healthcare system. Conclusions: Religious and cultural beliefs influenced pain-related beliefs, fear-avoidance beliefs and catastrophizing. We recommend addressing cultural gender roles and using “active” forms of religious coping to inform treatment. Participants’ experiences within and experiences of the healthcare system were similar to Western cultures. This encourages the application of Western findings into practice to facilitate the management of these patients.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION A qualitative exploration was undertaken to explore the experiences of Muslim and/or Arab patients with LBP. Our findings show that females have prioritised family needs over their own, primarily due to perceived gender roles. Contrary to previous findings labelling religious coping as a passive strategy, our findings suggest that religious coping strategies can be both positive and active strategies; such as participation in religious occasions and frequenting mosques. We support recommendations from Western literature to manage LBP; such as prioritising patient education and joint decision-making.

KW - Arabic

KW - cultural competency

KW - culture

KW - low back pain

KW - pain beliefs

KW - pain coping mechanisms

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U2 - 10.1080/09638288.2021.1928301

DO - 10.1080/09638288.2021.1928301

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85108862636

SN - 0963-8288

JO - Disability and Rehabilitation

JF - Disability and Rehabilitation

ER -

An exploration of experiences and beliefs about low back pain with Arab Muslim patients

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