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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2020 Nov 11;17(22):8326.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph17228326.

Effectiveness of a Group-Based Progressive Strength Training in Primary Care to Improve the Recurrence of Low Back Pain Exacerbations and Function: A Randomised Trial

Joaquín Calatayud  1   2 , Benjamín Guzmán-González  3 , Lars L Andersen  2   4 , Carlos Cruz-Montecinos  3   5 , María Teresa Morell  6 , Ricardo Roldán  6 , Yasmín Ezzatvar  1 , José Casaña  1
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Effectiveness of a Group-Based Progressive Strength Training in Primary Care to Improve the Recurrence of Low Back Pain Exacerbations and Function: A Randomised Trial

Joaquín Calatayud et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

Low back pain (LBP) is the leading cause of disability and one of the most common reasons for physician visits in primary care, with a 33% rate of recurrence during the first year. However, the most optimal exercise program in this context remains unknown. The objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of a group-based progressive strength training program in non-specific chronic LBP (CLBP) patients in primary care on pain recurrence and physical function. Eighty-five patients with non-specific CLBP were separated into two groups (Intervention group: completed a progressive strength training program 3 days per week for 8 weeks; Control group: received the usual care). The intervention group showed a recurrence rate of 8.3%, while the control group had a recurrence rate of 33.3% and a shorter time until the first recurrent episode. The intervention group showed increased lumbar extensor strength, left-hand handgrip strength, and reduced the number of pain sites compared with the control group. Results also showed greater odds for reducing LBP intensity and disability in the intervention group. In conclusion, a group-based progressive strength training program is a more effective and efficient alternative than Back-School programs and can easily be carried out in the primary health care context.

Keywords: chronic low back pain; core; endurance; multi-site; resistance training.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Exercises from the progressive strength training program. (1a) Squat initial phase; (1b) Squat final phase; (2a) Torso twist initial phase; (2b) Torso twist final phase; (3a) Deadlift initial phase; (3b) Deadlift final phase; (4a) Supine plank basic; (4b) Supine plank progression; (5a) Lateral plank basic; (5b) Lateral plank progression; (6a) Front plank basic; (6b) Front plank progression; (7) Modified curl up; (8) Bird-dog.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Back-School program exercises. (1) Abdominal hollowing; (2) Knee-up; (3) Oblique crunch; (4) Supine plank; (5) Bird-dog; (6) Knees-to-chest stretching; (7) Cat-camel; (8) Lying psoas stretching; (9) Lying hamstring stretching; (10) Standing quadriceps stretching.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Flow diagram of the progress through the phases of the study.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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