Introduction: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a leading cause of disability worldwide, significantly limiting individuals’ engagement in meaningful occupations.CLBP limits occupational participation, leading to occupational deprivation and reduced quality of life.
Objective: This research explored the impact of CLBP on individuals’ engagement in meaningful occupations from a holistic occupational therapy perspective.
Methods: A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining self-reported surveys and semi-structured interviews. Adult participantswith CLBP (suffering for more than three months) and who could read/speak English or Spanish were recruited via purposive and convenience sampling. Thirty-six individuals completed a closed-ended survey. The quantitative data was analyzed using Jeffrey’s Amazing Statistics Program (JASP), while six participated in virtual interviews. Qualitative data were thematically coded, ensuring trustworthiness through triangulation, saturation, member checking, and peer debriefing.
Results: Participants most frequently reported CLBP’s impact on functional mobility (44.4%), dressing (22.2%), and bathing (8.3%). Other affected occupations included rest/sleep (48.6%), work (40%), play (34.3%), leisure (25.7%), and community mobility (22.9%). Three themes emerged: (1) severity of pain during ADLs, (2) lifestyle modifications, and (3) insufficient resources.
Conclusion/Contribution to the occupational therapy profession: This study highlights CLBP’s profound impact on occupational participation, emphasizing the need for holistic, client-centered interventions. Occupational therapists are vital in addressing physical and psychosocial barriers through multidisciplinary strategies that enhance participation and well-being. These findings call for innovative approaches integrating occupational therapy into chronic pain management, ultimately fostering greater occupational justice and inclusion.