McKenzie Therapists Adhere More to Evidence-Based Guidelines and Have a More Biopsychosocial Perspective on the Management of Patients with Low Back Pain than General Physical Therapists in Japan

Hiroshi Takasaki^1*, Takeshi Saiki², Yoshihiro Iwasada³

¹Division of Physical Therapy, Saitama Prefectural University, Koshigaya, Japan.
²Physical Therapy Department, Medical and Health Faculty, Yamato University, Suita, Japan.
³The McKenzie Institute International, Japan Branch, Fujimi, Japan.

DOI: 10.4236/ojtr.2014.24023                

Abstract

Design: Cross-sectional. Objective: Aim 1 was to preliminarily explore the contributions of the following factors to adherence to LBP practice guidelines using regression modeling: 1) the credential qualification of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT); 2) balance of biomedical and behavioral (i.e. biopsychosocial) oriented approach for low back pain (LBP); 3) demographics; 4) academic degree and 5) the attitude towards updating information for evidence-based clinical practice. Aim 2 was to investigate whether therapists credentialed in MDT (Cred.MDT) were more behavioral oriented and less biomedical oriented than general physical therapists. Summary of Background Data: LBP practice guidelines are not adhered to by every physical therapist. MDT is a behavioral modification approach. Thus, it was hypothesized that the Cred.MDT therapist was more behavioral oriented and more adherent to LBP practice guidelines compared with general physical therapists. Methods: One-hundred-twenty Cred.MDT therapists and 2000 general physical therapists in Japan were contacted. For regression modeling, the dependent variable was adherent to guidelines using a questionnaire with a vignette. Independent variables included balance of biomedical and behavioral perspectives for LBP using the Pain Attitudes and Beliefs Scale for Physiotherapist (PABS-PT), demographics, academic degree and the attitude towards updatinginformation for evidence-based clinical practice. The ratio of the two mean scores of the biomedical and behavioral subscales in the PABS-PT was compared between the Cred.MDT therapist group and the general physical therapists group. Results: Data of 46 general physical therapists and 44 Cred.MDT therapists were available. The Cred.MDT therapist group was significantly (P < 0.05) more behavioral oriented and more adherent to LBP practice guidelines compared with the general physical therapist group. The regression indicated significance of the two predictors of adherence to guidelines, Cred.MDT (β = 0.58, P < 0.001) and academic degree (β = 0.19, P = 0.03). Conclusions: Cred.MDT therapists are more guideline-consistent and have a more biopsychosocial treatment orientation than general physical therapists in Japan.

Keywords

Clinical Behavior, Clinical Decision Making, Clinical Guidelines, Low Back Pain, Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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