Treatment of low back pain: randomized clinical trial comparing a multidisciplinary group-based rehabilitation program with oral drug treatment up to 12 months

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to examine the effects of a multidisciplinary treatment program on health-related quality of life of Iranian patients living with chronic low back, at 12 months follow-up.

Methods: This study is an extended follow-up of an original randomized, controlled trial with registration number NCT00600197. In the present study 87 patients in an intervention group and 91 patients in a control group were assessed at 12 months follow-up. The intervention was a group-based multidisciplinary rehabilitation program which continued by monthly motivational consultation by telephone from 6 to 12 months after intervention. Data from three standard measures, Short Form 36 (SF-36), QDS and RDQ were collected at 3, 6 and 12 months follow-up and analyzed through repeated measures analysis of variance.

Results: Despite the similarity between the two groups who completed the 6 month follow-up in terms of all baseline variables, there were significant differences between the two groups in all domains of the SF-36 scale, as well as QDS and RDQ scales (P < 0.05). Also, there were differences within each group over time in the SF-36 domains and disability measurements (P < 0.05). The physical function mean score differed significantly when the interaction between groups and time points was examined (P = 0.02).

Conclusion: This study indicates that the multidisciplinary program could improve the domains of health related quality of life and disability in chronic low back pain patients up to 12 months.

Keywords: Iran; chronic low back pain; clinical trial study; health-related quality of life; multidisciplinary treatment.