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Long-term exercise adherence after intensive rehabilitation for chronic low back pain

2000; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; Volume: 32; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1097/00005768-200003000-00001

1530-0315

Carol Hartigan, James Rainville, Jerry B. Sobel, Mark Hipona,

Sports Performance and Training

HARTIGAN, C., J. RAINVILLE, J. B. SOBEL, and M. HIPONA. Long-term exercise adherence after intensive rehabilitation for chronic low back pain. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., Vol. 32, No. 3, pp. 551–557, 2000. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine exercise compliance in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) after participation in an intensive spine rehabilitation program. Methods: Exercise behaviors in 122 consecutive subjects with CLBP who completed a program of quota based exercise were examined. Frequency per week of performance of four exercise activities, Oswestry disability scores, and visual analog scale (VAS) scores were assessed at evaluation, 3-month, and 12-month follow-up by patient-completed questionnaires. Results: Percentage of patients responding to initial, 3-month, and 12-month questionnaires were 100%, 86%, and 71%, respectively. Frequencies of exercise behaviors were compared by Wilcoxon signed-rank test and were found to increase significantly between evaluation and 3 months (P < 0.000), and evaluation and 12-month follow-up (P < 0.000). The percentages of patients reporting three or more times weekly performance of the following activities at evaluation and at three month follow-up, respectively, were: 1) stretching for the back and legs, 35% and 93%; 2) aerobic exercise, 44% and 87%; 3) back-strengthening exercises, 15% and 82%; and, 4) weight training, 6% and 71%. Evaluation and follow-up Oswestry disability and visual analog scale (VAS) scores for back pain were compared using Student’s t-test. Significant improvements (P < 0.000) were noted for each of these scales at 3-month follow-up that were maintained at 12-month follow-up. Conclusion: It is concluded that exercise behaviors can be increased and maintained in CLBP patients without adversely affecting pain or function.