BACKGROUND:Clinical guidelines recommend a biopsychosocial approach to low back pain (LBP) management, with physiotherapists playing a key role in occupational health primary care (OHPC). However, little is known about how their clinical behaviours at the first visit align with guideline-oriented biopsychosocial principles. Therefore, we evaluated LBP management quality in OHPC by applying predefined criteria to physiotherapists' documentation. METHODS:Based on a cluster-randomised implementation study data (ISRCTN11875357) we analysed 98 electronic patient records (EPRs) documented by 28 physiotherapists across diverse OHPC units. The intervention arm had received 3-7 days of biopsychosocial training. A stratified random sample of EPRs from individuals with LBP was reviewed using a structured researcher's evaluation tool. Each item was scored dichotomously (yes/no) and evaluated against predefined quality criteria with stepwise thresholds for different work disability risk groups. RESULTS:Step I, multidimensional biopsychosocial assessment of LBP, was documented in fewer than half of the records (36.5% in the intervention vs 16.7% in the control arm, p=0.081). The biological dimension was well documented in both arms (100% vs 95.8%, p=0.245), while psychological (58.1% vs 25%, p=0.009) and social (54.1% vs 29.2%, p=0.038) dimensions were more frequently documented in the intervention arm.Step II quality criteria (low-risk patients) were met in 58.1% of intervention versus 4.2% of control records (p<0.001), and step III (medium-risk) in 55.4% versus 4.2% (p<0.001). No EPRs met step IV (high-risk) quality criteria.The intervention arm more often documented psychosocial assessments, risk stratification, behavioural strategies and advice to stay active. Person-centredness (ie, goals, values, resources, expectations) was rarely documented (36.5% vs 0%, p<0.001). CONCLUSION:Training in guideline-oriented biopsychosocial approach was associated with more frequent documentation of behaviours aligned with high-quality LBP management. However, overall quality varied, and person-centred aspects remained underreported. Complementary implementation strategies are required to ensure consistent delivery and documentation of biopsychosocial clinical practice in OHPC.

Aims:Cardiac telerehabilitation addresses common barriers for attendance at exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (EBCR). Pragmatic real-world studies are however lacking, limiting generalizability of available evidence. We aimed to evaluate feasibility, safety, and patient perceptions of remotely delivered EBCR in a multicentre clinical practice setting after myocardial infarction (MI). Methods and results:This study included 232 post-MI patients (63.7 years, 77.5% men) from 23 cardiac rehabilitation centres in Sweden (2020-22). Exercise was delivered twice per week for 3 months through a real-time group-based video meeting connecting a physiotherapist to patients exercising at home. Outcomes were assessed before and after remote EBCR completion and comprised assessment of physical fitness, self-reported physical activity and exercise, physical capacity, kinesiophobia, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), self-efficacy for exercise, exercise adherence, patient acceptance. Safety monitoring in terms of adverse events (AE) and serious adverse events (SAE) was recorded. A total of 67.2% of the patients attended ≥ 75% of prescribed exercise sessions. Significant improvements in physical fitness, self-reported exercise, physical capacity, kinesiophobia, and HRQoL were observed. Patients agreed that remote EBCR improved health care access (83%), was easy to use (94%) and found exercise performance and interaction acceptable (95%). Sixteen exercise-related AEs (most commonly dizziness and musculoskeletal symptoms) were registered, all of which were resolved. Two SAEs requiring hospitalization were reported, both unrelated to exercise. Conclusion:This multicentre study supports remote EBCR post-MI as feasible and safe with a high patient acceptance in a real-world setting. The clinical effectiveness needs to be confirmed in a randomized controlled trial. Trial registration number:NCT04260958.

We explored Finnish occupational healthcare professionals’ (HCP) perceptions of biopsychosocial (BPS) low back pain (LBP) management after an educational intervention. We conducted twelve group interviews of 51 physicians, physiotherapists and nurses from intervention units in a cluster randomized controlled trial (ISRCTN11875357). We used deductive and inductive content analysis to examine the data, and the Capability-Opportunity-Motivation-Behaviour (COM-B) model to identify the facilitators of and barriers to changes in three target behaviours: (A) forming a common BPS-based understanding with patients, (B) systematically using risk stratification tools, and (C) multidisciplinary collaboration in individualized care planning. Facilitators and barriers were categorized into the following COM-B domains. Most of the facilitators were in the Capability and Motivation domains: increased confidence regarding managing treatment decisions, improved therapeutic alliance and renewed professional identity. Significant system-level barriers were mostly in the Opportunity domain: time constraints, limited resources and unclear treatment pathways. The HCPs reported improved individual skills and awareness after the training, but varying organizational policies and lacking incentives hindered the adoption of BPS methods in multidisciplinary teams. Initial resistance to change decreased as positive patient outcomes emerged. The perceived benefits were increased multidisciplinary collaboration and a shift toward holistic pain management. Those who embraced BPS management reported greater professional satisfaction and confidence when handling LBP patients. To effectively implement BPS management in occupational health services, organizational and system-level barriers must be addressed and HCPs’ skills and motivation enhanced. For sustained support through policy initiatives and reinforced multidisciplinary collaboration, future strategies should integrate BPS practices into routine workflows. The trial was retrospectively registered on 13.05.2019 ISRCTN11875357.

OBJECTIVES:This study aimed to investigate the effect of a brief training intervention for occupational health services (OHS) professionals on multiprofessional resource utilization and the costs of biopsychosocial management of patients with low-back pain (LBP) compared to usual care among all participants and those in work disability-based risk groups. METHODS:OHS utilization and back-related sick leave data were collected from electronic patient records over one-year follow-up comparing 232 patients in the intervention arm and 80 control-arm patients, stratified for risk of work disability based on the Örebro Musculoskeletal Pain Screening Questionnaire. We estimated costs using linear mixed models by multiplying unit costs (in euros) by each type of OHS resource use (visits to physicians, physiotherapists, nurses, use of imaging) and the number of sick leaves. Estimated mean cost differences with confidence intervals (CI) were reported using bootstrapping to deal with skewed cost data. RESULTS:The median number of visits to physicians and physiotherapists in the intervention versus control arms was 1 [interquartile range (IQR) 0-3] and 2 (IQR 1-4) versus 2 (IQR 1-3) and 1 (IQR 0-2), respectively. The intervention arm accrued lower physician costs (€-43, 95% CI €-82- -3, P=0.034) and higher physiotherapist costs (€55, 95% CI €26-84, P<0.001) compared to the control arm. There was no statistically significant difference in average total costs between the arms (€-1908, 95% CI €-6734-2919). In the low- and medium-risk groups of work disability, physiotherapist costs were higher in the intervention than control arm, but no statistically significant differences were observed between the arms in the total resource utilization or sickness absence costs. CONCLUSIONS:Brief biopsychosocial training may support shifting OHS resources towards multiprofessional physiotherapist-driven care, instead of solely physician-driven care, for management of patients with LBP in differing risk groups of work disability with no substantial differences in total costs.

OBJECTIVE:To explore secondary outcomes at endpoint comparing treatments with adequate self-mediated physical activity combined with either night-time brace (NB), scoliosis-specific exercise (SSE), or adequate self-mediated physical activity alone (PA) in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS). METHODS:A longitudinal, prospective, multicenter RCT was conducted including 135 girls/boys, Cobb angle 25-40°, 9-17 years, and ≥1-year remaining growth were randomly allocated into NB, SSE, or PA group. Endpoint was curve progression of ≤6° (success) at skeletal maturity or >6° (failure). Outcomes included angle of trunk rotation (ATR), major curve Cobb angle, Spinal Appearance Questionnaire (pSAQ), Scoliosis Research Society-22r (SRS-22r), EQ-5Dimensions Youth 3Levels (EQ-5D-Y-3L), and EQ-Visual-Analogue-Scale (EQ-VAS), adherence to treatment and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF). RESULTS:At endpoint, 122 patients were analyzed per protocol, mean age 12.7 (±1.4) years, and mean Cobb angle 31° (±4.3). A significant difference in change for ATR favored NB group compared to SSE group -2.0º (95% CI -3.7 to -0.3). EQ-5D-Y-3L dimensions showed a significant difference in change with decrease in mobility (p=0.031), and usual activities (p=0.003) for SSE compared to NB and PA groups. Treatment adherence was adequate but slightly better in NB and PA groups compared to SSE on self-report (p=0.012), and health care provider (HCP) report was better in PA compared to SSE group (p=0.013). Higher motivation and capability explained 53% of the variability and gave better odds for higher adherence (OR = 11.12, 95% CI = 1.5 to 34.4; OR = 7.23, 95% CI = 2.9 to 43.3), respectively. CONCLUSIONS:Night-time brace, scoliosis-specific exercise or physical activity interventions for adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis showed small differences between groups in trunk rotation, spinal deformity and appearance, health-related quality of life, and treatment adherence but not likely reaching clinical relevance.

INTRODUCTION:A best practice physiotherapy model of care (BetterBack MoC) for low back pain (LBP) aimed to improve patients' illness perceptions and self-care enablement, according to the Common-Sense Model of Self-Regulation (CSM). OBJECTIVE:To confirm if illness perceptions and patient self-care enablement, in line with the CSM, are mediators of treatment effects on disability and pain of the BetterBack MoC for patients with LBP compared to routine primary care. A secondary aim was to explore if illness perceptions and patient self-care enablement are mediators of guideline adherent care. METHODS:Pre-planned single mediation analyses tested whether hypothesized mediators at 3 months mediated the treatment effect of the MoC (n = 264) compared to routine care (n = 203) on disability and pain at 6 months. Secondary mediation analyses compared guideline adherent care with non-adherent care. RESULTS:No indirect effects were identified. The BetterBack intervention did not have superior effects over routine care on the hypothesized mediators. Illness perceptions and self-care enablement were significantly associated with disability and pain at 6 months. Secondary analyses showed significant indirect effects of guideline adherent care through tested mediators. CONCLUSION:Despite no indirect effects, patients' illness perceptions and self-care enablement were associated with disability and back pain intensity outcomes and are potentially relevant treatment targets.

Introduction: The BetterBack model of care (MoC), a best practice physiotherapy MoC for low back pain (LBP), was implemented in Swedish primary care to improve management of patients with LBP and provide patients with support tools to better self-manage episodes of LBP.Purpose: The objective was to describe how physiotherapists in primary care experienced the implementation of the BetterBack MoC for LBP.MethodsFocus group interviews were conducted with physiotherapists in 2018-2019, 14-18 months after the introduction of the BetterBack MoC. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.Results: Five focus group interviews with 23 (15 female and 8 male) physiotherapists, age range 24-61 years were analyzed. A supportive organization and adaptation to the local culture, combined with health care professionals' attitudes and collaboration between physiotherapists emerged as important factors for a successful implementation and for long-term sustainability of the MoC. Physiotherapists had differing opinions if the implementation led to change in clinical practice. Improved confidence in how to manage patients with LBP was expressed by physiotherapists.Conclusions: Several barriers and facilitators influence the implementation of a best practice physiotherapy MoC for LBP in primary care, which need to be considered in future implementation and sustainability processes.

Background Musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders are a global burden causing significant suffering and economic impact. Systematic identification and targeting of research questions of highest interest for stakeholders can aid in improving MSK disorder knowledge and management. Therefore, this study aims to obtain Swedish MSK researchers' opinions and views on a collaborative Swedish MSK network (SweMSK) and identify future research areas of importance for Swedish MSK research. Methods A web-based survey was conducted from July to September 2021 to collect data from Swedish MSK researchers. The survey focused on the need, objectives, and structure of a SweMSK network and identified priority and key areas for future MSK research. Results The study included 140 respondents, of which 82 were associate professors or professors. The majority (68%) supported the creation of a new musculoskeletal network. The most supported element was increased collaboration regarding nationwide and multicenter studies. Respondents recommended the creation of a homepage and the establishment of national work groups with different specific interests as the primary elements of a new network. Discussion The results demonstrated a need and desire for increased national research collaboration and the creation of a new musculoskeletal network. The high academic experience and active research participation of the respondents suggest the need for MSK disorder knowledge and management improvement in Sweden. Therefore, the SweMSK network may help to facilitate effective collaboration and research efforts that can contribute to the advancement of MSK disorder management and care. This study may provide valuable insights for policymakers, clinicians, and researchers to improve MSK disorder care and management in Sweden.

Background and purpose: The study’s purpose was to develop and internally validate a prognostic survival model exploring baseline variables for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis curve progression. Methods: A longitudinal prognostic cohort analysis was performed on trial data (n = 135) including girls and boys, Cobb angle 25–40°, aged 9–17 years, remaining growth > 1 year, and previously untreated. Prognostic outcome was defined as curve progression of Cobb angle of > 6° prior to skeletal maturity. 34 candidate prognostic variables were tested. Time-to-event was measured with 6-month intervals. Cox proportional hazards regression survival model (CoxPH) was used for model development and validation in comparison with machine learning models (66.6/33.3 train/test data set). The models were adjusted for treatment exposure. Results: The final primary prognostic model included 127 patients, predicting progress with acceptable discriminative ability (concordance = 0.79, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.72–0.86). Significant prognostic risk factors were Risser stage of 0 (HR 4.6, CI 2.1–10.1, P < 0.001), larger major curve Cobb angle (HRstandardized 1.5, CI 1.1–2.0, P = 0.005), and higher score on patient-reported pictorial Spinal Appearance Questionnaire (pSAQ) (HRstandardized 1.4, CI 1.0–1.9, P = 0.04). Treatment exposure, entered as a covariate adjustment, contributed significantly to the final model (HR 3.1, CI 1.5–6.0, P = 0.001). Sensitivity analysis displayed that CoxPH maintained acceptable discriminative ability (AUC 0.79, CI 0.65–0.93) in comparison with machine learning algorithms. Conclusion: The prognostic model (Risser stage, Cobb angle, pSAQ, and menarche) predicted curve progression of > 6° Cobb angle with acceptable discriminative ability. Adding patient report of the pSAQ may be of clinical importance for the prognosis of curve progression.

BACKGROUND The Determinants of Implementation Behavior Questionnaire (DIBQ) measures facilitators or barriers of healthcare professionals’ implementation behaviors based on the current implementation research on practice and policy. The DIBQ covers 18 domains of the Theoretical Domains Framework and consists of 93 items. A previously tailored version (DIBQ-t) covering 10 domains and 28 items focuses on implementing best-practice low back pain care. AIM To tailor a shortened version of DIBQ to multiprofessional rehabilitation context with cross-cultural adaptation to Finnish language. DESIGN A two-round Delphi study. SETTING National-level online survey. POPULATION Purposively recruited experts in multiprofessional rehabilitation (N.=25). METHODS Cross-cultural translation of DIBQ to Finnish was followed by a two-round Delphi survey involving diverse experts in rehabilitation (physicians, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, nursing scientists, social scientists). In total, 25 experts in Round 1, and 21 in Round 2 evaluated the importance of DIBQ items in changing professionals’ implementation behavior by rating on a 5-point Likert Scale (1 = Strongly Disagree, 5 = Strongly Agree) of including each item in the final scale. Consensus to include an item was defined as a mean score of ≥4 by ≥75% of Delphi participants. Open comments were analyzed using inductive content analysis. Items with agreement of ≤74% were either directly excluded or reconsidered and modified depending on qualitative judgements, amended with experts’ suggestions. After completing an analogous second-round, a comparison with DIBQ-t was performed. Lastly, the relevance of each item was indexed using content validity index on item-level (I-CVI) and scale-level (S-CVI/Ave). RESULTS After Round 1, 17 items were included and 48 excluded by consensus whereas 28 items were reconsidered, and 20 items added for Round 2. The open comments were categorized as: 1) ”modifying”; 2) ”supportive”; and 3) ”critical”. After Round 2, consensus was reached regarding all items, to include 21 items. After comparison with DIBQ-t, the final multiprofessional DIBQ (DIBQ-mp) covers 11 TDF domains and 21 items with I-CVIs of ≥0.78 and S-CVI/Ave of 0.93. CONCLUSIONS A Delphi study condensed a DIBQ-mp with excellent content validity for multiprofessional rehabilitation context. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT A potential tool for evaluating determinants in implementing evidence-based multiprofessional rehabilitation interventions.

BACKGROUND:Despite proven benefits of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (EBCR), few patients with myocardial infarction (MI) participate in and complete these programs. STUDY DESIGN AND OBJECTIVES:The Remote Exercise SWEDEHEART study is a large multicenter registry-based cluster randomized crossover clinical trial with a planned enrollment of 1500 patients with a recent MI. Patients at intervention centers will be offered supervised EBCR, either delivered remotely, center-based or as a combination of both modes, as self-preferred choice. At control centers, patients will be offered supervised center-based EBCR, only. The duration of each time period (intervention/control) for each center will be 15 months and then cross-over occurs. The primary aim is to evaluate if remotely delivered EBCR, offered as an alternative to center-based EBCR, can increase participation in EBCR sessions. The proportion completers in each group will be presented in a supportive responder analysis. The key secondary aim is to investigate if remote EBCR is as least as effective as center-based EBCR, in terms of physical fitness and patient-reported outcome measures. Follow-up of major adverse cardiovascular events (cardiovascular- and all-cause mortality, recurrent hospitalization for acute coronary syndrome, heart failure hospitalization, stroke, and coronary revascularization) will be performed at 1 and 3 years. Safety monitoring of serious adverse events will be registered, and a cost-effectiveness analysis will be conducted to estimate the cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) associated with the intervention compared with control. CONCLUSIONS:The cluster randomized crossover clinical trial Remote Exercise SWEDEHEART study is evaluating if participation in EBCR sessions can be increased, which may contribute to health benefits both on a group level and for individual patients including a more equal access to health care. TRIAL REGISTRATION:The study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT04260958).

To be able to design telerehabilitation programs targeting the needs and preferences of end-users, patients’ in-depth perspectives are needed. To date, such studies are lacking and, therefore, the aim of the present study was to describe patients’ perceptions of performing exercise-based cardiac telerehabilitation after a myocardial infarction (MI). Individual semi-structured interviews were performed with 15 patients (3 women, median age 69 years) after an MI who had participated in exercise-based cardiac telerehabilitation for three months. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed with inductive content analysis. An overall theme was defined as “Cardiac telerehabilitation—a new alternative for exercising that is easily accessible and up to date”. Four categories, including “The important role of a physical therapist with expert knowledge”, “Prerequisites playing an important role in the willingness to participate”, “Making exercise accessible and adjustable” and “Inspiring future exercise”, and 15 subcategories were identified. Understanding the patient’s perspective is an important key to further improving and successfully implementing exercise-based cardiac telerehabilitation, as an alternative or adjunct to traditional, centre-based programs. The findings can serve to improve patient–physiotherapist interactions and to inform important aspects related to exercise, technology and a sense of security from an exercise-based cardiac telerehabilitation program.

Background The BetterBack model of care (MoC) for low back pain (LBP) was recently developed in Swedish physiotherapy (PT) primary care.Objective To evaluate if PTs’ adherence to LBP clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) improves after implementation of the BetterBack MoC (intervention).Methods This was a stepped, single-blinded cluster randomized controlled trial. Patients nested in the three clusters were allocated to routine care (n = 222) or intervention (n = 278). The primary outcome was referral to specialist consultation. This was among five best practice recommendations divided into an assessment quality index (no referral to specialist consultation and no medical imaging) and a treatment quality index (use of educational interventions; use of exercise interventions; no use of non-evidence-based physiotherapy). For overall adherence, patients had to be treated with all five recommendations fulfilled. Logistic regression was used for between-group comparisons.Results The proportion of patients receiving referral to specialist consultation during the PT treatment period was low in both groups with no between-group differences. However, patients in the intervention group showed significantly higher assessment quality index, treatment quality index and overall adherence compared to routine care. Adherence to the separate recommendations showed improved stratified number of visits, use of exercise was maintained high, patient educational intervention increased and use of non-evidence-based physiotherapy decreased. A reduction of medical imaging during the physiotherapy treatment period was also observed.Conclusions The adoption of CPGs could be substantially improved by introducing a MoC through PT training and supportive materials.

In the original publication [...].

Background Dizziness and balance problems are common symptoms in patients with cervical radiculopathy. Objective To evaluate the effect of neck surgery postoperatively combined with either structured rehabilitation or standard approach in patients with cervical radiculopathy and dizziness and/or balance problems, and investigate factors influencing dizziness and balance at 6-month follow-up. Methods Individuals (n = 149) with cervical radiculopathy and dizziness and/or balance problems were randomized preoperatively to structured postoperative rehabilitation or standard postoperative approach. Outcomes were intensity of dizziness and subjective balance, and clinical measures of balance. Results Self-reported measures improved at three months (p < 0.001 to p = .007) and the standing balance at six months (p = .008). No between-group differences. Baseline values, neck pain, and physical activity level explained 23-39% of the variance in 6-month outcomes for self-reported measures. Baseline values and physical activity level explained 71% of the variance in walking balance, and lower baseline scores were significantly associated with standing balance impairments (OR 0.876). Conclusion Patients improved significantly in dizziness and subjective balance intensity shortly after surgery, and in standing balance at 6 months, independent of postoperative rehabilitation. Neck pain, physical activity, and neck muscle function influenced dizziness and balance, although preoperative values and neck pain were of most importance for 6-month outcomes.

Interventions promoting adherence to exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (exCR) are important to achieve positive physical and psychological outcomes, but knowledge of the added value of behavioral medicine interventions for these measures is limited. The aim of the study was to investigate the added value of a behavioral medicine intervention in physical therapy (BMIP) in routine exCR on psychological outcomes and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) versus routine exCR alone (RC). A total of 170 patients with coronary artery disease (136 men), mean age 62.3 ± 7.9 years, were randomized at a Swedish university hospital to a BMIP plus routine exCR or to RC for four months. The outcome assessments included HRQoL (SF-36, EQ-5D), anxiety and depression (HADS), patient enablement and self-efficacy and was performed at baseline, four and 12 months. Between-group differences were tested with an independent samples t-test and, for comparisons within groups, a paired t-test was used. An intention-to-treat and a per-protocol analysis were performed. No significant differences in outcomes between the groups were shown between baseline and four months or between four and 12 months. Both groups improved in most SF-36 domains, EQ-VAS and HADS anxiety at the four-month follow-up and sufficient enablement remained at the 12-months follow-up. A BMIP added to routine exCR care had no significant effect on psychological outcomes and HRQoL compared with RC, but significant improvements in several measures were shown in both groups at the four-month follow-up. Since recruited participants showed a better psychological profile than the general coronary artery disease population, further studies on BMIP in exCR, tailored to meet individual needs in broader patient groups, are needed. Trial registration number NCT02895451, 09/09/2016, retrospectively registered.

Reports on neurological outcomes in patients with cervical radiculopathy (CR) undergoing surgery and postoperative rehabilitation are important to inform prognosis. This 2-year-follow-up of a randomized clinical trial aimed to compare secondary neurological outcomes between structured postoperative rehabilitation and a standard approach after surgery for CR. A secondary aim was to increase knowledge about recovery of neurological impairments in relation to patient-reported neck disability. Neurological outcomes included assessment of sensibility, motor function, arm reflexes and the Spurling test. A total of 153 and 135 participants (> 70% response rate) completed the clinical examination. Between-group differences, changes over time, and associations between persistent neurological impairments and the Neck Disability Index were investigated. No between-group differences were reported (p > 0.07), and neurological impairments in sensibility, motor function, and a positive Spurling test decreased over time in both groups (p < 0.04). Persistent impairments in sensibility and reflex arm were most frequent at follow-up, whereas, a persistent positive Spurling test, and impairments in motor function were associated with higher NDI score. Neurological outcomes improved over time in patients undergoing surgery for CR with no between-group differences., However, persistent neurological impairments were common, and associated with poorer outcome for patient-reported neck disability. Clinical registration: clinicaltrial.gov NCT01547611, 08/03/2012, Title: Outcome of physiotherapy after surgery for cervical disc disease: a prospective multi-centre trial.

Abstract Background: The Determinants of Implementation Behavior Questionnaire (DIBQ) identifies factors that are facilitators of or barriers to professionals´ change of behavior after evidence-based training. The original English DIBQ consists of 93 items covering 18 domains. The DIBQ is built upon the Theoretical Domains Framework and the Behavioral Change Wheel. The purpose of the study is to tailor the DIBQ to the multiprofessional rehabilitation context as well as cross-culturally adapt it to the Finnish context. Methods: Cross-cultural translation followed by a two round, Delphi method involving experts in rehabilitation with diversity of professions (physicians, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, nursing scientists, social scientists and health care policymakers) was conducted, 25 experts participated in Round 1, and 21 in Round 2. Participants evaluated the importance of each DIBQ item in changing professionals´ implementation behavior. Consensus to include items was defined as a mean score of ≥4 on a Likert scale (1 = Strongly Disagree, 2 = Disagree, 3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree, 4 = Agree, 5 = Strongly Agree) by ≥75% of Delphi participants. Items rated at agreement of ≤74% were either excluded or reviewed depending on qualitative judgements. The relevance of each item was indexed using content validity index (CVI). A second-round survey followed the same process. Comparison with tailored versions of Danish and Swedish (DIBQ-t) was also performed before reaching the consensus of the results.Results: The final validated multiprofessional DIBQ (DIBQ-mp) consists of 23 questions. Twenty-nine percent (n = 27) of the Round 1 questions did not reach acceptable agreement. Second-round survey was developed based on the results of the first round. In all, 4% (n=2) of the Round 2 questions did not reach acceptable agreement. Agreement was achieved on all items after Round 2 in comparison with DIBQ-t, and the Delphi process was concluded. The final DIBQ-mp has evidence of excellent content validity with 0.93 average item-level CVI.Conclusions: The study resulted in the Determinants of Implementation Behavior Questionnaire tailored to the multiprofessional rehabilitation context as well as a Finnish cross-culturally adapted version.

Introduction: Illness perception is suggested to influence outcome in patients with low back pain (LBP). It is unknown if specific illness perceptions are of more importance for longitudinal outcomes, including development of self-management strategies. Objectives: This study explores whether patients' initial illness perceptions were associated with disability, pain, health-related quality of life, and self-care enablement outcomes in patients with LBP after 3 and 12 months. Methods: Four hundred sixty-seven consecutive patients seeking physiotherapeutic primary care for LBP were eligible to participate in this prospective cohort study, providing data at baseline and after 3 and 12 months (mean age 45 years, 56% women). Multiple linear regression analysis was used to explore whether patients' illness perceptions at baseline were associated with outcome in the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Numeric Rating Scale-LBP (NRS-LBP), EuroQol Five Dimensions, and Patient Enablement Instrument (PEI). Results: Stronger beliefs that the back problem will last a long time at baseline were associated with worse outcome in ODI, NRS-LBP, and PEI at 3 and 12 months and in EuroQol Five Dimensions at 12 months. Negative beliefs regarding treatment's ability to improve LBP were associated with worse outcome in NRS-LBP and PEI at 3 and 12 months and in ODI at 12 months. Conclusions: Illness perceptions regarding prognosis and treatment's ability to improve symptoms were the most prominent perceptions explaining several longitudinal clinical outcomes. These expectations should be addressed in an early stage in the delivery of interventions for LBP. These expectations were also important for patients' development of coping and self-management strategies.

Background: The aims of this study are to 1) determine the scope of musculoskeletal (MSK)-related clinical research in Sweden; 2) collate the amount of first-tier funding received; 3) discuss strategies and infrastructure supporting future MSK clinical trials in Sweden. Methods: A systematic scoping review protocol was applied in PubMed, Scopus, and SweCRIS databases. The articles were examined, and data were extracted in multiple stages by three blinded authors. Results: The search strategy resulted in 3,025 publications from 479 Swedish-affiliated authors. Primary health care was the basis for 14% of the publications, 84% from secondary health care, and 2% from occupational health care with a similar proportional distribution of first-tier research grant financing. Approximately one in six publications were randomized controlled trials (RCTs), while the majority were of observational cohort design. The majority of publications in primary and occupational health care were related to pain disorders (51 and 67%, respectively), especially diagnosis, prognosis, and healthcare organizational-related interventions (34%) and rehabilitation (15%) with similar proportional distribution of first-tier research grant financing. In secondary health care, rheumatic inflammatory disorder-related publications were most prevalent (30%), most frequently concerning diagnosis, prognosis, and healthcare organizational-related interventions (20%), attracting approximately half of all first-tier funding. Publications related to degenerative joint disorders (25%), fractures (16%), and joint, tendon, and muscle injuries (13%) frequently concerned surgical and other orthopedic-related interventions (16, 6, and 8%, respectively). Pain disorder-related publications (10%) as well as bone health and osteoporosis-related publications (4%) most frequently concerned diagnosis, prognosis, and healthcare organizational-related interventions (5 and 3%, respectively). Conclusions: Swedish-affiliated MSK disorder research 2010–2020 was predominantly observational cohort rather than RCT based. There was skewed first-tier funding allocation considering prevalence/incidence and burden of disease. Use of infrastructure supporting register-based RCTs, placebo-controlled RCTs, and hybrid effectiveness-implementation studies on prevention and clinical intervention is important strategies for the future in all healthcare sectors.