(duplicate) Self-concept & adjustment in adult non-specific lower back
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A longitudinal study of an embodied self-concept and its potential impact upon adjustment and acceptance in chronic non-specific lower back pain in adults.
IRAS ID
254669
Contact name
Kim L Patel
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Chester
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 6 months, 31 days
Research summary
In those with chronic non-specific lower back pain, does an embodied self-concept change over time and does this embodied self-concept then have any impact upon adjustment and acceptance of their pain?
Research suggests that chronic pain is extremely prevalent within the UK, with societal and personal costs. Chronic pain is linked to depression, disability, and loss of work and social activities. Medication and surgical interventions (where appropriate) may be unable to completely relieve pain, therefore the focus of pain management within hospitals and primary care is towards self-management and psychological therapy.
Acceptance and adjustment to chronic pain are factors known to positively influence quality of life and activity levels; however the processes involved in acceptance or adjustment to chronic pain over time have not been investigated, which this study aims to do. How we view ourselves (personality) is termed self-concept; self-concept plus our hobbies, roles and postures constitute an embodied self-concept. It is likely that embodied self-concept changes when we have chronic pain as we feel different in our bodies and move differently.
This self-funded, 18 month longitudinal case-series aims to explore the embodied self-concept (and potential changes over time) in adults with chronic non-specific lower back pain. The findings will explore the relationship between acceptance/adjustment in chronic pain and embodied self-concept; which might help target psychological therapy, thereby improving quality of life and physical functioning.
Satisfying eligibility criteria, six participants with non-specific chronic lower back pain will be recruited from a GP practice. Participants will be interviewed three times (i.e. every nine months) either in their own home or in a non-NHS, multi-disciplinary healthcare clinic, and will complete two types of questionnaire (related to pain, acceptance and perceptions of self). Data from interviews and two questionnaires will be triangulated to explore change over time within and between participants.REC name
Wales REC 4
REC reference
18/WA/0395
Date of REC Opinion
7 Jan 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion