A pilot study of the effects of high-intensity aerobic exercise versus passive interventions on pain, disability, psychological strain, and serum cortisol concentrations in people with chronic low back pain

Abstract

Background and purpose: Given the complex nature of chronic pain, the effects of high-intensity aerobic exercise on pain, disability, psychological strain, and serum cortisol concentrations in people with chronic low back pain were investigated.

Subjects: Twenty subjects receiving primary health care were randomly allocated into exercise and control groups.

Methods: Subjects in the exercise group received a 12-week, high-intensity aerobic exercise program. Subjects in the control group received 12 weeks of passive modalities without any form of physical activity.

Results: Data analysis identified reductions in pain (41%, t(10)=8.51, P<.001), disability (31%, t(10)=7.32, P<.001), and psychological strain (35%, t(10)=7.09, P<.001) in subjects in the exercise group and no changes in subjects in the control group. High-intensity exercise failed to influence serum cortisol concentrations.

Discussion and conclusion: Regular high-intensity aerobic exercise alleviated pain, disability, and psychological strain in subjects with chronic low back pain but did not improve serum cortisol concentrations.