Barriers and Facilitators to Physical Activity and Exercise Among People With Chronic Low Back Pain: A Qualitative Evidence Synthesis.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the barriers and facilitators to physical activity and exercise among people with chronic low back pain (CLBP).

DESIGN

A qualitative evidence synthesis. LITERATURE SEARCH: We searched the MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, and PsycINFO databases from inception to July 2023. This review was prospectively registered on the Open Science Framework (OSF) (https://archive.org/details/osf-registrations-uwnqh-v1). STUDY SELECTION CRITERIA: Qualitative or mixed-methods studies with a qualitative approach were included. Studies must have recruited adults, of both sexes, aged 18 years or older with CLBP. DATA SYNTHESIS: We used a thematic analysis approach in our review. First, participant quotes in the "Results" section of included studies were analyzed and coded. Second, the codes were used to create our coding framework. Then, the coding framework was applied to included studies. Finally, 2 reviewers independently analyzed the themes constructed in our qualitative evidence synthesis to identify barriers and facilitators for people with CLBP to engage in physical activity.

RESULTS

Fifty-seven studies were included. The quality assessment (Critical Appraisal Skills Program) revealed that most studies (77%) had minor concerns. Barriers to physical activity were mainly related to pain intensity, fear of movement, intervention type, lack of information, motivation, and support. Facilitators of physical activity were adequate information, professional and social support, perceived benefits, and favorable conditions to engage in physical activity. Based on the GRADE-CERQual, most themes and subthemes presented moderate quality of evidence.

CONCLUSION

The barriers to people with chronic LBP engaging in physical activity included pain intensity and fear of reinjury, type of intervention, lack of information, motivation and support, and occupational and socioenvironmental factors. The main facilitators were receiving information and support from health professionals, motivational activities, knowledge about benefits of the intervention, and external factors. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2025;55(5):1-19. Epub 7 April 2025. doi:10.2519/jospt.2025.12905.