The Role of Physical Exercise and Inactivity in Pain Recurrence and Absenteeism From Work After Active Outpatient Rehabilitation for Recurrent or Chronic Low Back Pain. A Follow-Up Study. 

Year: 2000  Country: Luxembourg   Study Population: N=125

Taimela S, Diederich C, Hubsch M, Heinricy M. The Role of Physical Exercise and Inactivity in Pain Recurrence and Absenteeism From Work After Active Outpatient Rehabilitation for Recurrent or Chronic Low Back Pain. Spine 2000;25(14):1809-1816.

Objective

To analyze the role of physical exercise and inactivity on the long-term outcome after active outpatient low back rehabilitation.

Methods

12-week active low back rehabilitation program. Follow-up questionnaire about subjective pain and disability 14 months after treatment. 

Main outcome measures: Recurrence of pain and work absenteeism. A survival or failure analysis between those who had continued exercising and who had been physically inactive.

Outcome

Statistically significant improvements were observed in pain intensity, physical impairment score, flexion
and extension strength, rotational mobility, and depression score (all p<0.0001) during the 12-week rehabilitation.

Recurrences of persistent pain during the follow-up period (14 months) were fewer (p=0.03) among those who had maintained regular exercise habits after the treatment than among those who had been physically inactive. Also, work absenteeism was less (p<0.01) among physically active than among physically inactive persons.