Affiliations: [a] Clinic of The Specialists Center for Physiotherapy, Taif, Saudi Arabia | [b] Physiotherapy Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Mecca, Saudi Arabia | [c] NHMRC Centre of Clinical Research Excellence in Spinal Pain, Injury and Health, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia | [d] Department of Physical Therapy, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
Correspondence:
[*]
Corresponding author: Hosam Alzahrani, Department of Physical Therapy, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia. E-mail: halzahrani@tu.edu.sa. ORCID: 0000-0002-4383-115X.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Physiotherapists must identify potential red flags that may impede recovery and function in individuals with low back pain (LBP) or put them at risk. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to (1) investigate physiotherapists’ awareness and use of red flags for individuals with LBP in Saudi Arabia and (2) identify factors associated with their awareness and use of LBP red flags. METHODS: This cross-sectional study collected data using an anonymous online questionnaire (February–July 2023). It included physiotherapists working in private/public hospitals in Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire asked about the participants’ characteristics, their awareness of LBP red flags, and their use of red flags for LBP assessment. RESULTS: A total of 643 participating physiotherapists (26.2 ± 3.8 years), 63.8% of whom were females, completed the survey. Most participants (94.4%) had adequate awareness of LBP red flags, and more than half (61%) had good utilization of red flags when assessing individuals with LBP. There was a positive correlation between the physiotherapists’ awareness and use of LBP red flags. CONCLUSION: The majority of the participating physiotherapists in Saudi Arabia were aware of LBP red flags, and many reported to have good use of red flags in clinical practice when assessing and managing individuals with LBP.
Keywords: Low back pain, red flags, physiotherapists, awareness, cross-sectional
