"It is something you live with, like an organ in your body" a qualitative study on the lived experiences of people suffering from chronic low back pain in Lebanon.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This paper aims to understand the distinctive biopsychosocial aspects and patient perspectives on chronic low back pain in Lebanon, an Arab country with a unique and rich cultural heritage. METHOD: Qualitative, semi-structured interviews with 12 Lebanese patients purposefully sampled from various governorates. The interviews included participants from different geographic areas and religions. The data underwent analysis through an inductive thematic approach guided by a bounded relativist ontology, a subjectivist epistemology, and a descriptive phenomenological framework. The coding process was managed by computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software (QSR NVivo version 12.0). RESULTS: The researchers identified and constructed two themes (1) Chronic low back pain understanding the impact, coping strategies, and communication patterns in lived experiences within the Lebanese context. This theme sheds light on the complexities of pain management and societal influences in Lebanon. (2) Explanatory model of patients living with chronic low back pain in Lebanon. This theme allowed an exploration of the multifaceted narratives of chronic low back pain. CONCLUSION: This study found that Lebanese individuals attribute chronic low back pain to biomedical factors despite some recognizing psychosocial elements. It emphasizes the need to educate patients on the biopsychosocial model, facilitate better care, and dispel misconceptions.

The exploration of patients' pain perception may provide an opportunity to better develop and design culturally sensitive pain neuroscience education material for Arab-speaking and Lebanese physical therapists.The rehabilitation process should incorporate a balanced biopsychosocial approach, addressing both physical and psychosocial elements of pain, to provide more effective care and outcomes for Lebanese patients who predominantly attribute chronic low back pain to biomedical factors.Lebanese healthcare professionals need to improve communication with Lebanese patients regarding the nature of chronic low back pain, using clear communication to help dispel misconceptions and enhance rehabilitation outcomes.