A service evaluation specifying the active components of a functional restorative programme to promote management of persistent non-specific low back pain

Background: Functional Restorative Programmes (FRP) for persistent non-specific lower back pain have been shown to be effective, but they often lack sufficient detailed reporting of the intervention components to allow for accurate replication. Objectives: This study used the Behaviour Change Technique Taxonomy (v1) (BCTi) ^[1] to identify the main components of one such programme and interviewed patients to identify the most effective programme components and areas for improvement. Design: A mixed methods design was used. Methods: Intervention data were coded using the BCT Taxonomy (v1) to identify the BCTs utilised. Following this, semi-structured interviews with nine patients evaluated the BCTs included using thematic analysis and identified possible techniques for inclusion in future developments of the programme. Results: Forty-one different BCTs were identified in the coding phase with frequency of occurrence in the programme ranging from forty-nine to one. Four main themes emerged from the interviews: Social Support, Shaping Knowledge, Repetition and Substitution and Changes in Mindset. Conclusion: The results of this study identify the key ingredients in a programme for persistent, non-specific lower back pain, which facilitates the replication of this intervention and identified areas patients appreciated most as well as areas for improvement.