COMMONLY UTILIZED PHYSIOTHERAPY TREATMENT APPROACHES IN THE MANAGEMENT OF SUB-ACUTE SCIATICA: A DELPHI STUDY

Abstract

There is limited evidence for the utilization of physiotherapy in the management of sub-acute sciatica. The aim of this study is to reach consensus on physiotherapeutic approaches to the management of sub-acute sciatica amongst a panel of clinicians experienced in this field. The Delphi method was chosen as the process. The panel comprised expert physiotherapists ([Formula: see text]) working within a musculoskeletal outpatient setting within the United Kingdom National Health Service. Iteration 1 consisted of the open-ended question ‘List the treatment approaches/techniques/modalities you employ when treating a patient with sub-acute sciatica and provide justifications’. Themes reaching 70% consensus progressed to the second iteration which followed up with the question “Please indicate how frequently you would employ the following treatments in the management of sub-acute sciatica” using a 5-point likert scale ranging from 1 (never) to 5 (always). The mean score was calculated for each treatment and those themes achieving a mean of 3.5 or greater progressed to iteration 3 “Please rank in order of preference which of the following treatments you would employ in the treatment of sub-acute sciatica”. The response rate at iteration 3 was 100%. This study achieved consensus on two treatment approaches to be employed in the management of sub-acute sciatica. These treatments were advice on the nature and natural history of the condition and self-help activities such as heat/ice, staying active and rest when needed.