Motivation zur körperlichen Aktivität bei chronischen Rückenschmerzen im Alter - Entwicklung von Messinstrumenten

Beneficial effects of physical activity in the treatment of chronic back pain are evident. However, in the measurement of physical activity adaptation to the special needs and settings of elder people seems necessary. Based on the transtheoretical (motivation) model (TTM), the objective of the present study is the development of instruments for the assessment of physical activity. The study is part of a prospective randomised controlled trial that aimed at the improvement of treatment adherence in elderly patients with chronic low back pain funded by the German Research Society (DFG, BA 793/61 and 2). Physical activity and disability are principal outcomes measures. Data was collected in three steps. Step I (cross sectional, N = 32) and step II (cross sectional, N = 10) served to investigate the adequateness and acceptance of existing instruments developed for younger age groups and to adapt the instruments to the needs of the elderly population. Step III (Cross sectional, N = 170 elderly patients with chronic low back pain) was used to calculate the psychometric properties of the final scales.Results indicate good psychometric properties regarding internal consistency and reliability of the scales inherent in the TTM. One conclusion of the study is to incorporate the assessment of fear avoidance beliefs. Interviews constitute a more adequate setting for this age group than questionnaires. The newly developed scales are recommended for subsequent studies.