[Back school for patients with non-specific chronic low-back pain: benefits from the association of an exercise program with patient's education]

Abstract

Objective: <<Back School>> has been used as a way of preventing and treating back pain since 1969, but reports in the literature on its effectiveness remain controversial. The purpose of this trial was to evaluate efficacy of a back school program for non- -specific chronic low-back pain.

Patients and methods: Seventy patients were randomized into two groups: experimental group (34 patients) and control group (36 patients). Experimental group patients participated in a theoretical and practical back school program, which was composed of 4 weekly classes of 60 minutes. Control group patients were allocated at a waiting list. Three evaluations took place (baseline, after 4 and 16 weeks). The following variables were analyzed: pain intensity (visual numeric analogue scale), functional disability (Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire) and spinal mobility (Schöber index). Statistical analysis for intra-group and inter-group used significance level of p < 0.05.

Results: 57 patients were analyzed (29 in experimental group and 28 in control group). A statistically significant improvement was observed only in the experimental group, regarding pain intensity, functional disability and spine mobility. Such improvements have persisted after 16 weeks in pain intensity and functional disability variables. In the inter-group analysis we observed a statistically significant difference in the second and third evaluations concerning the functional disability variables and spinal mobility.

Conclusion: The Back School program proposed in this study seems to be effective for non-specific chronic low back pain.