Type of health locus of control predicting pain, function, and global perceived effect in patients with chronic low...

Chronic nonspecific low back pain (CNLBP) is the leading cause of disability worldwide. The health locus of control (HLC) refers to the individual's perception of control over their health, which can be internal (personal control), external (control attributed to others), or chance (determined by luck, fate, or chance).

To investigate whether the HLC predicts pain, functional ability, and global perceived effect in patients with CNLBP treated with active versus passive interventions.

Longitudinal observational study following two different treatments groups delivered by physical therapists: active group (exercise-based intervention) and passive group (manual therapy-based intervention). The HLC was assessed with the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale (MHLCS), pain with the Pain Numerical Rating Scale (PNRS), functional ability with the Patient-Specific Functional Scale (PSFS), and global perceived effect by the Global Perceived Effect Scale (GPES). The relationship between the types of HLC at baseline and after the intervention was analyzed by the Chi-square test, and the prediction of outcomes by linear regression (p < 0.05).

Fifty-eight individuals participated, with a mean age of 51.2 (5.6) years. There was no impact of baseline HLC on pain, functional ability, or global perceived effect (p > 0.05), and there were no significant changes in HLC at the endpoint of observation (p = 0.75).

HLC was not a predictor for the evaluated outcomes, with no significant changes between baseline and the endpoint of observation.