The effect of a physiotherapy intervention on disability decrease and on the perceived health-related quality of life in patients with musculoskeletal disorders

Abstract

Introduction. To evaluate the effect of a physiotherapy intervention on disability decrease and the perceived health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with musculoskeletal disorders. Methods. The interventional study involved 150 patients of a public hospital and 3 private physiotherapy clinics in Greece. The study lasted 5 months (december 2016-April 2017). A composite questionnaire was used, including sociodemographic/ medical data, oswestry disability index (odi), and EQ-5d-3L. The main intervention consisted in 10 physiotherapy sessions including transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, short-wave diathermy, high-frequency ultrasound, hand massage, and strengthening/stretching exercises. Questionnaires were completed before the first session and then after the tenth session. Analysis was performed with SPSS v. 21.0. Results. Half of the participants (50%) were treated in a state hospital, while the rest (50%) in a private clinic. The patients had problems in their spine and neck in the same percentage (44.7%). There was a significant decrease (mean: 19.33, Sd: 13.71) in odi score after the intervention. The decrease differed significantly depending on age, marital status, and problem location (spine, neck, chest). A significant improvement in EQ-5d-3L and visual analogue scale scores was recorded after treatment (p = 0.001). The EQ-5d-3L score change differed significantly depending on age, marital status, educational level, problem location, and previous physiotherapy treatment. There was a significant positive correlation between changes in EQ-5d-3L and odi (r = 0.48, p < 0.001). Conclusions. The physiotherapy intervention was beneficial for patients with musculoskeletal disorders and improved their perceived HRQoL. Several demographic and medical characteristics affected the improvement.