Self-management strategies for chronic low back pain: a systematic narrative review

Background: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a highly prevalent musculoskeletal condition affecting nearly 60-80% of the general population within their lifetime. Given the large numbers of people affected, self-management approaches offer a potentially cost-effective approach to manage this condition. Our study sought to determine the core components of, and outcomes for, successful self-management of CLBP. Methods: : This narrative review was conducted using a systematic approach to search journal articles in English that focused on CLBP self-management. MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and PsycINFO databases were used to identify publications with terms relating to back pain and self-management from 2016 until 2022. Results: : In total, 53 studies were found suitable for inclusion in the review. Core components of self-management strategies include exercise, education, and psychological interventions. The most common outcomes to assess self-management focused on functional disability, and pain intensity, followed by health-related quality of life, anxiety and depression, spine flexibility, and trunk muscle endurance. Conclusions: : Inconsistencies in the content of self-management interventions and outcome measures used for assessing self-management programmes were found across the literature. A consensus on the key components of self-management interventions, and how they should be evaluated, will pave the way for research to determine if self-management can effectively manage CLBP.