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Evaluating Nurses’ Understanding of Lower Back Pain and Approaches for Physical Therapy

Vol. 2 No. 2 (2025): Oktober:
DOI : https://doi.org/10.21070/ijhsm.v2i2.290
Published : Oct 10, 2025

Mahfoudh Falih Hasan (1), Firas Hadi Khalaf (2), Maher Abdul Ameer Atiyah Khalaf (3), Mohammed Kadhim Mutashar (4)

(1) College of Nursing University of Basra, Iraq
(2) College of Nursing University of Basrah, Iraq
(3) College of Nursing University of Basrah, Iraq
(4) College of Nursing University of Basrah, Iraq
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Abstract:

Low back pain (LBP) is a widespread condition negatively impacting quality of life and productivity. Nurses play a vital role in managing LBP, especially through the application of physiotherapy techniques. This study aimed to assess nurses' perception levels regarding LBP and physiotherapy exercises. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Basra hospitals between May and August 2024, involving 80 nurses. Data were collected using a 24-items structured questionnaire covering general perception and exercise therapy, rated on a 3-point Likert scale. Perception levels were categorized as poor, medium, or good. The majority of participants (62.5%) were female. Overall, 58% demonstrated medium perception, followed by 37% with good perception and 5% with poor perception. In part-specific analysis, 83% scored well in general perception, while 72% passed the exercise therapy section. The mean scores were 14.82 ± 3.62 and 13.70 ± 4.33, respectively. No significant associations were found between demographic variables and perception levels. The findings indicate a need for targeted educational programs to enhance nurses’ competence in physiotherapy-based LBP management.


Highlights:



  1. More than half of the nurses (58%) demonstrated a medium perception level regarding lower back pain and physiotherapy management.

  2. Higher understanding was observed in general knowledge (83% passed) than in exercise therapy (72% passed).

  3. The study emphasizes the need for targeted educational programs to improve nurses’ competence in physiotherapy-based pain management.

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