Experiences of community-dwelling adults with chronic low back pain during and after a combined biopsychosocial education and exercise program in rural Nigeria: a qualitative study

To explore the subjective experiences of community-dwelling adults with chronic low back pain (CLBP) during and after a combined biopsychosocial education and exercise program in rural Nigeria. A qualitative descriptive study involving 15 participants was conducted. Data were collected using focus group discussions, guided by semi-structured, open-ended questions, and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Five major themes with embedded subthemes were developed: (1) “Perceived effects of the program” with three subthemes: “reducing pain,” “improving physical function” and “overall feeling of well-being;” (2) “Empowering self-management skills” with two subthemes: “learning self-care skills” and “adherence to home program;” (3) “Perceived understanding of CLBP as a biopsychosocial disorder” with two subthemes: “helpful beliefs” and “better understanding of condition;” (4) “Perceived satisfaction with the program;” and (5) “Perceived need for rehabilitation services” with two subthemes: “need for public enlightenment about back pain” and “need for physiotherapy services in rural primary health care centers.” Perceived effects of a combined biopsychosocial education and exercise program was not limited to improved clinical outcomes, but also empowered self-management skills, enhanced understanding of back pain, and highlighted the unmet rehabilitation needs in rural Nigeria, serving as a wake-up call for physiotherapists. Evidence relating to the experiences of community-dwelling adults with chronic low back pain in rural Nigeria following a combined biopsychosocial education and exercise program is lacking.The program was perceived to be beneficial in improving clinical outcomes, empowering self-management skills, enhancing understanding of back pain, and highlighting unmet rehabilitation needs in rural Nigeria.The unmet rehabilitation needs in rural Nigeria serve as a wake-up call for physiotherapists. Evidence relating to the experiences of community-dwelling adults with chronic low back pain in rural Nigeria following a combined biopsychosocial education and exercise program is lacking. The program was perceived to be beneficial in improving clinical outcomes, empowering self-management skills, enhancing understanding of back pain, and highlighting unmet rehabilitation needs in rural Nigeria. The unmet rehabilitation needs in rural Nigeria serve as a wake-up call for physiotherapists.