Assessment of Limitations in Everyday Functioning of People with Chronic Spinal Pain: A Pilot Study

Introduction. Back pain is one of the most common health issues, significantly affecting daily functioning, quality of life, and work capacity. Aim. The aim of this study was to assess the limitations in daily functioning among individuals with chronic back pain. It is estimated that this condition affects a large portion of the population, regardless of age or gender, and is one of the leading causes of reduced physical activity, work absenteeism, and decreased quality of life. Chronic back pain can lead to substantial functional impairment, influencing not only the ability to perform basic daily activities but also impacting patients' mental well-being. Materials and Methods. The study involved 30 patients (11 men and 19 women) undergoing rehabilitation at the „Centrum Zdrowego Kręgosłupa” in Bydgoszcz. Participants were selected based on the presence of chronic back pain. Individuals over the age of 60 accounted for 46.7% of the total sample, while 53.3% were younger than 60. To assess pain intensity and limitations in daily functioning, the following research tools were used: the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and a custom-designed questionnaire aimed at collecting data on lifestyle, physical activity levels, and the impact of pain on various aspects of everyday life. Results. Physical activity significantly influenced the subjective assessment of physiotherapy effectiveness—physically active individuals rated it higher (p = 0.0101). A correlation was also found between age and disability level—older patients reported more limitations (p = 0.0109). No associations were found between pain severity and disability, gender, or sleep duration. The findings emphasize the importance of physical activity and age in physiotherapy planning. Further studies on larger and more diverse populations are recommended. Conclusions. The analysis showed that physical activity over 5 hours per week significantly improves physiotherapy outcomes and pain perception, while age over 60 is linked to greater disability (ODI score). Promoting an active lifestyle and tailoring therapy to the patient’s age is recommended. Future research should explore the type and intensity of activity across age groups. These findings are important for assessing functional limitations in people with chronic spinal pain.