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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2005 Aug;14(6):599-611.
doi: 10.1007/s00586-004-0873-3. Epub 2005 Feb 16.

Long-term effects of supervised physical training in secondary prevention of low back pain

Irina Maul  1 , Thomas Läubli, Michael Oliveri, Helmut Krueger
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Long-term effects of supervised physical training in secondary prevention of low back pain

Irina Maul et al. Eur Spine J. 2005 Aug.

Abstract

Background and objectives: In the last few years, several studies have focused on short-term treatment effects of exercise therapy. However, there is a lack of knowledge concerning the long-term treatment effects recorded after several years. Hence, this study was performed to investigate the short- and long-term effects of supervised physical training on functional ability, self-rated pain and disability in secondary prevention of low back pain.

Methods: One hundred and eighty-three hospital employees with chronic low back pain were randomly assigned either to back school (comparison group), or three-months supervised physical training including a back school (exercise group). Various measurements of functional ability were performed and subjects completed questionnaires on self-rated pain, disability, and general well-being before treatment, immediately after intervention, and at six-months follow-up. At one-year and at ten-years follow-up participants evaluated treatment effectiveness.

Results: Out of 183 employees, 148 completed the program. Participation at follow-ups ranged from 66 to 96%. Supervised physical training significantly improved muscular endurance and isokinetic strength during a six-months follow-up, and effectively decreased self-rated pain and disability during a one-year follow-up. At ten-years follow-up the subjects' assessment of the effectiveness of treatment was significantly better in the exercise group.

Conclusions: Supervised physical training effectively improved functional capacity and decreased LBP and disability up to one-year follow-up. The subjects' positive evaluation of the treatment effect at ten-years follow-up suggests a long-term benefit of training.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flow diagram showing the number of participants and investigated therapy dropouts throughout the ten years follow up
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Self-assessed effectiveness of the treatment at ten-years follow-up. p values indicate the significance of the difference between the exercise group (n=58) and the comparison group (n=60)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment on

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