Intensive dynamic back exercises for chronic low back pain: a clinical trial

Abstract

The effect of intensive dynamic back extensor exercises for patients with chronic low back pain was investigated in a controlled clinical trial in which chronic low back pain patients underwent a 3-month intensive training program with a total of 30 sessions. The 105 patients were divided into 3 groups: a treatment group, an alternative group which underwent 1/5 of the treatment group's exercise program per session, and an alternative group in which treatment consisted of thermotherapy, massage and mild exercise. Regardless of whether the treatment outcome is assessed qualitatively or quantitatively, a statistically significant, favorable difference was found between the results for the treatment group and for the alternative groups at conclusion and at the 3-month follow-up. It appeared from the quantitative assessment that patients in the treatment group who completed the training program at least once a week for the entire 1-year follow-up period were the only patients with a significantly better back status after 1 year compared to the time of inclusion. Irrespective of sex, age, duration and degree of severity of back trouble, or of pre-existing sciatica or pathological findings upon X-ray of the spine, patients obtained a favorable result from the training program. The therapy was found to be without risk, but patients with clinical signs of current lumbar nerve root compression or radiological signs of spondylolysis or halisteresis of the spine were excluded from the study.