An interpretive description of patients' experiences of physical functioning in neck and thoracic pain over time: protocol for a prospective longitudinal qualitative study.

INTRODUCTION

Neck and thoracic pain are common musculoskeletal conditions that can substantially affect daily functioning. There is limited understanding of how people with neck and thoracic pain experience physical functioning and the factors that facilitate or hinder change over time. Understanding physical functioning at different time points is important for providing meaningful and patient-centred care in musculoskeletal research and practice.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this study are to (1) explore how patients with neck and thoracic pain experience physical functioning over time, (2) explore how patients with neck and thoracic pain experience facilitators and barriers to physical functioning over time.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This is a longitudinal qualitative study using Thorne's approach to interpretive description within a constructivist paradigm. Adults aged ≥18 years with neck or thoracic pain lasting ≥3 months will be eligible to participate. Purposive sampling will ensure variation in age, sex and disability. Participants will take part in semi-structured interviews at 3 and 12 months after entering the SPINA Spinal Rehabilitation Registry. Data will be analysed using reflexive thematic analysis in an iterative manner. To enhance trustworthiness, the study will be guided by Tracy's Big-Tent criteria.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study was approved by the Western University Health Science Research Ethics Board in Ontario, Canada (application # 128384). This study will provide foundational insights to guide future research on physical functioning and inform the development of physical measures to support patient-centred assessment and more responsive clinical care for neck and thoracic pain. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and knowledge-sharing sessions with patient partners.