# Multidimensional Profiles of Recovery: Using Correspondence Analysis to Visualize Physiotherapy Outcomes in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain

## TL;DR

This study uses a special data analysis method to show how different factors like age, work experience, and stress affect recovery from chronic back pain after physiotherapy.

## Contribution

The novel use of Multiple Correspondence Analysis reveals non-linear patient profiles and treatment response patterns in chronic low back pain recovery.

## Key findings

- Middle-aged females with overweight BMI and moderate education showed a common baseline profile with moderate-to-high pain.
- Longer work experience correlated with lower baseline quality of life and higher stress/pain levels.
- Higher education and work experience predicted better post-treatment quality of life improvements.

## Abstract

Background: This longitudinal study examined the clinical outcomes of physiotherapy interventions in patients with chronic low back pain, specifically observing the interactions between demographic characteristics, physical metrics, and psychological variables. Methods: A cohort of n = 150 patients, Final n = 123 (18% attrition rate), was assessed using a one-group pre-test/post-test design, with primary outcome measures including Health-Related Quality of Life, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the Numerical Pain Rating Scale. Participants received eight standardized sessions over 4 weeks, including electro-physical agents combined with individualized kinesiotherapy. Data analysis/synthesis was performed via Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) to map associations between categorical variables and treatment responses. Results: The predominant clinical profile found was a middle-aged female with moderate educational attainment, presenting with a Body Mass Index in the overweight range and moderate-to-high baseline pain intensity. MCA revealed distinct phenotypic trends: longer Work Experience was associated with lower baseline Quality of Life (QoL) and heightened stress/pain levels. In contrast, patients characterized by higher education and significant Work Experience demonstrated notable post-intervention QoL gains. High baseline QoL served as a predictor for sustained improvement and pain attenuation, while elevated pre-intervention pain scores were consistently linked to perceived unmet clinical needs and exacerbated stress. Conclusions: MCA successfully mapped non-linear clusters—such as the “Socio-Psychological Barrier” profile—that traditional univariate methods fail to visualize, suggesting that “individualized care” must prioritize health literacy among patients experiencing extensive work-related strain.