Poster Presentation 51st International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine Annual Meeting 2025

INTRODUCTION

As life expectancy increases, the number of older people experiencing low back pain tends to rise, contributing to more years lived with disabilities. Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is the most common and debilitating musculoskeletal condition among individuals aged 60 and over. It is associated with numerous physical and psychosocial consequences, including high levels of disability, anxiety, stress, poor lifestyle choices, and negative beliefs about the body. In Brazil, 25.4% of older adults suffer from CLBP, making it one of the most significant health issues in old age. Despite its prevalence and impact among older Brazilians, surprisingly little qualitative research has explored the experience of CLBP from the perspective of older adults. There is a notable lack of studies investigating how Brazilian older adults perceive CLBP, how it influences their daily lives, and how it affects their social relationships with family and friends. The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of Brazilian older adults with CLBP regarding their pain condition.

METHODS

This descriptive qualitative study analyzed data from semi-structured interviews and drawings using reflective thematic analysis principles in an iterative and inductive manner. Twenty-two older individuals (16 women, mean age: 69 years) with CLBP were interviewed remotely via videoconference on online meeting platforms (Google Meet™) or video call (WhatsApp™) at a convenient time for the participants.The data analysis was carried out according to the techniques described by Braun & Clarke (2021), which consists of six phases: (1) familiarization of the data set, (2) coding of the data, (3) generation of initial themes, (4) development and review of themes, (5) refinement, definition and naming of the theme, and finally, (6) writing. The results were presented using pseudonyms.

RESULTS

The iterative thematic analysis identified six themes: (1) Low back pain: A sensory and emotional experience. (2) Causes of pain: Age and wear on the spine, physical overload, and emotional overload. (3) Seeking treatment and not improving. (4) Health professionals as a source of misinformation and pessimism. (5) The impact of pain on life: functional limitations and social repercussions. (6) Dealing with pain: movement, resilience, and passive strategies.

DISCUSSION

Considering the participants who discussed their CLBP experience, highlighting sensations and emotions, our study demonstrated the importance of not limiting clinical discussions exclusively to physical aspects; emotional aspects must also be considered. Based on our results, the impact of pain on the lives of older adults should be discussed with them to align expectations for improvement and encourage re-engagement in activities that are important to them. A better understanding of this condition among healthcare professionals is also necessary to promote better control and understanding of pain in older adults, thus avoiding pessimistic information and ideas about the condition and pain management.