Back pain beliefs in adolescents and adults in Australasia: A cross-sectional pilot study of selected psychometric properties of paper-based and web-based questionnaires in two diverse countries

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Tan, Boon-Kiang^{a; b; *} | Burnett, Angus^{c; d} | Hallett, Jonathan^e | Ha, Amy^f | Briggs, Andrew M.^{a; g}

Affiliations: [a] School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Curtin University, WA, Australia | [b] Armadale Health Service, Perth, WA, Australia | [c] ASPETAR Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Doha, Qatar | [d] School of Exercise and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western, Australia | [e] School of Public Health, Curtin University, WA, Australia | [f] Department of Sports Science and Physical Education, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China | [g] Arthritis and Osteoporosis Victoria, Victoria, Australia

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Boon-Kiang Tan, School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA 6845, Australia. Tel.: +61 413 51 8128; E-mail:bk.tan@curtin.edu.au

Abstract: BACKGROUND: It is unknown whether questionnaires measuring psychosocial constructs related to low back pain (LBP) that were originally designed for adults are suitable for adolescents, and if paper and web-versions have similar measurement properties. OBJECTIVES: To examine selected psychometric properties for the paper- and web-based Back-Beliefs Questionnaire (BBQ) and the Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ-phys) among adults and adolescents in two diverse countries and to determine whether differences existed between countries and pain groups. METHODS: A sample of 156 adults (Hong Kong, n= 75; Australia, n= 81) and 96 adolescents (Hong Kong, n= 61; Australia, n= 35) participated in this cross-sectional study. RESULTS: Main effects for country and administration mode were observed in adult BBQ scores, where Australian adults reported significantly higher BBQ scores than Hong Kong adults (mean difference (MD); 95% CI: 2.85; 0.96-4.74) and significantly higher scores were recorded on the web mode compared to the paper mode (MD 0.74; 0.10-1.38). Similarly, Hong Kong adults and adolescents reported higher FABQ-phys scores than Australian adults and adolescents (MD; 95% CI: 3.40; 1.37-5.43 and 4.88; 0.53-9.23, respectively). Internal consistency values were mostly acceptable (α ≥ 0.7). CONCLUSION: Differences exist between cultures for LBP-related beliefs. The BBQ and FABQ-phys have acceptable measurement properties in both administration modes.

Keywords: Psychometrics, adult, adolescent, beliefs, low back pain

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-160658

Journal: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 29, no. 3, pp. 565-574, 2016