The primary objective of the current research is to assess the effect of an enhanced patient-clinician relationship when compared to a limited patient-clinician relationship on measures of chronic low back pain and objective functional measures. The second objective is to examine racialized disparities in chronic low back pain among individuals who identify as non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic White using a qualitative approach. Lastly, the study team will explore relationships between psychosocial components of low back pain, pain and functional outcomes, and patient-clinician relationship measures.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
56
In this group, participants will share information regarding their low back pain history to a clinician who is not providing eye-contact, has farther physical distance, and is not directly facing the participant. The clinician will not provide verbal affirmations or ask clarifying questions about the patient's low back pain history. Instead, more time will be spent on completion of documentation.
A condition in which the clinician is providing enhanced relatedness with consistent eye contact, closer physical distance, facing the patient, and providing non-verbal affirmations (i.e. nodding, smiling), as the participant shares their low back pain history. The clinician will provide empathic verbal affirmations and will ask clarifying questions about the patient's low back pain history.
New York University Department of Physical Therapy, Arthur J. Nelson Human Performance Laboratory
New York, New York, United States
Change in Number of lifts completed in 1 minute
To be measured during the 1-minute lift test, where the participant is asked to lift objects of a certain weight.
Time frame: Pre-Intervention (Day 1), Post-Intervention (Day 1)
Change in time holding the horizontal position
To be collected during the Biering-Sorensen Test, which is a timed measure used to assess the endurance of the trunk extensor muscles.
Time frame: Pre-Intervention (Day 1), Post-Intervention (Day 1)
Change in Trunk Flexion Range of Motion
To be measured during the Fingertip-to-floor (FTF) Test, where the participant is asked to bed forward and attempt to reach the floor with their fingertips.
Time frame: Pre-Intervention (Day 1), Post-Intervention (Day 1)
Change in Mean Walking Speed
To be measured/assessed during the 4-meter walking test.
Time frame: Pre-Intervention (Day 1), Post-Intervention (Day 1)
Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for Pain
VAS will be used to report pain at rest. A patient is asked to indicate his/her perceived pain intensity (most commonly) along a 100 mm horizontal line, and this rating is then measured from the left edge (=VAS score). The total score range is 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain imaginable); the higher the score, the worse the pain.
Time frame: Pre-Intervention (Day 1), Post-Intervention (Day 1)
Pain pressure threshold
Pain pressure threshold (the degree of pressure required to produce symptoms) will be assessed using a pressure algometer.
Time frame: Pre-Intervention (Day 1), Post-Intervention (Day 1)
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