Middle-term effects of education programme in chronic low back pain patients to an adherence to physical activity: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objective: This study was to measure the impact of an education programme in Chronic Low Back Pain (CLBP) patients on their changing behaviour; particularly on the resumption or maintenance of physical activity (PA) at three and six months after care.

Methods: A two-group, randomised controlled clinical trial was conducted on 68 patients as the control group (CG) and 68 as the experimental group (EG). All patients benefited from a four-week multidisciplinary programme, with an educative programme for the EG. The dropouts of patients during the follow-up period and the PA level were measured at three and six months after the end of care.

Results: At 3-months, the EG presented a significant higher level of physical activity (91% of EG versus 77% of CG, p < 0.001) and at six months, this group presented a lower dropout rate than CG (60% of EG versus 73% of CG, p = 0.017).

Conclusion: The educative programme, added to a multidisciplinary care plan, can improve adherence to the care programme and the continuum of PA.

Practice implications: Add an educative programme focused on motivation, physical activity, stress management and daily activities seems necessary to accompany CLBP patient towards the maintenance of a regular PA.

Keywords: Behaviour change; Chronic low back pain; Educative programme; Rehabilitation programme.