Characteristics of low back pain patients who do not complete physiotherapeutic treatment

Patients' problems in following recommendations of health professionals is an issue of great concern. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether patients with low back pain (n = 46) who dropped out of a treatment programme differed in characteristics measured prior to treatment from a matched comparison group (n = 46) who completed the programme. Data collected on work disability and sick leave, frequency, duration and intensity of pain, physical function, and personality characteristics were compared. The results indicated that the groups differed significantly on 3 of 16 variables. The non-completers had been on sick leave for a longer time period prior to treatment, experienced more intense pain and performed at a lower level on the test of physical function than those who completed the treatment programme.