Level of agreement with common low back pain misconceptions among students in DPT and nursing programs, and other non-healthcare undergraduate majors: An observational study

Low back pain (LBP) is a major global health challenge that significantly affects adults worldwide, imposing considerable socio-economic burdens. For physical therapy education, understanding and correcting misconceptions about LBP is vital for developing effective treatment strategies.

This study aims to investigate the prevalence of LBP misconceptions among students across various academic disciplines in the United States, including DPT, Nursing, and undergraduate programs, addressing how these misconceptions could affect future clinical practices.

The study sampled 320 students from DPT, Nursing, and various undergraduate programs within the United States, using convenience sampling for selection. This cross-sectional observational study was conducted using an electronic survey to assess LBP misconceptions. The survey included Likert scale responses to 10 statements on LBP myths. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used for data analysis.

The findings revealed significant misconceptions about LBP across all student groups, with notable disparities among disciplines. DPT students displayed a relatively lower agreement with misconceptions compared to nursing and other undergraduate students. Myths regarding the necessity of scans for diagnosis, the efficacy of aggressive treatments, and beliefs about the causation of LBP were prevalent. Nursing students showed the highest agreement with the myth that LBP will persist and worsen over time.

Misconceptions about LBP are widespread among students in health-related and general academic programs, highlighting a notable gap between current educational content and evidence-based practice. This study underscores the need for curriculum reforms and targeted educational interventions to dispel myths about LBP.