The importance of integrating flexible learning methods (audio-visual animation vs. visual pamphlet) to enhance awareness, perspectives, and practices in preventing lower back pain in nurses. A quasi-experimental study

Background and Aims

Nurses are highly susceptible to developing low back pain (LBP), which is considered a common occupational hazard. The present study investigated the efficacy of flexible learning methods on the nurses' awareness, perspectives, and practice regarding the prevention of LBP.

Methods

In pre-test posttest quasi-experimental study conducted from June to December 2019, 153 eligible nurses working in three hospitals were participated. Researchers divided the hospitals into three groups with similar numbers of participants (around 55 each) using a random process. One group received an educational intervention using an audio-visual animation, another group got a visual pamphlet, and the last group served as a control with no intervention. All nurses completed a validated questionnaire designed by the researchers to assess their awareness, perspectives, and practices related to preventing lower back pain. The questionnaire was given three times: before the intervention, 1 week after, and 4 weeks after.

Results

The study found that participants in the audio-visual and visual pamphlet groups scored significantly higher on awareness, perspective, and practice measures compared to the control group. Interestingly, the visual pamphlet group showed even greater awareness and practice scores compared to the audio-visual group (p < 0.001). However, the audio-visual group achieved a higher perspective score compared to the visual pamphlet group (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Nurses' perspective, awareness, and practice towards LBP prevention can be improved by blending the visual pamphlet and audio-visual animation.