A physiotherapy self-management treatment programme for adult patients with chronic non-specific low back pain

Study objectives: To identify, categorise, summarise and synthesise knowledge about the elements of current self-management programmes for patients with chronic non-specific low back pain, using a scoping literature review. Self-management programmes are described in various forms: low back pain guidelines, various databases, virtual records. Introduction: Chronic non-specific low back pain (CNLBP) is a localised pain that starts below the costal margin or below the 12th rib and end above the inferior gluteal folds, with or without leg pain. The prevalent of CNLBP in the African continent has reported a lifetime prevalence of 47%, an annual prevalence of 57% and a point prevalence of 39%. A self-management programme (SMP) following a biopsychosocial approach has been reported as effective and affordable in the management of chronic conditions, including CNLBP since it reduces the number of consultations and increases self-efficacy. Inclusion criteria: This review will consider studies that include participants of 18 years and above with CNLBP. The intervention should include physiotherapy self-management strategies (i.e., exercise programmes, home exercise programmes and educational programmes). Studies conducted in all clinical facilities (primary healthcare, hospital) settings will be considered. Methods and analysis: A scoping review methods study design will be used. The electronic databases will be accessed to source the relevant evidence: MEDLINE (biomedical sciences), SciVerse Scopus (multidisciplinary), CINAHL (nursing and other health professionals) and Current Contents Connect/ISI Web of knowledge (multidisciplinary current awareness) and SciVerse Scopus (Elsevier) Cochrane Library databases will be used. A two-part study selection process will be used: a title and abstract review and a full-text review by two independent reviewers. They will review the citations separately from the search to determine eligibility based on the defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. We will register the review protocol with the Open Science Framework (OSF) for the benefit of peer review, reducing duplication effort and increasing the transparency of research. In this scoping review, Joan Briggs Institute (JBI) guidelines will be followed. Ethics and dissemination: The results will be disseminated through stakeholder meetings, conference presentations and peer-reviewed publications. The data that will be used are from publicly available primary sources, so this study will not require ethical clearance or review.