Effects of rehabilitation on the patients with chronic low back pain

A K M Salek,M Tariqul Islam,Md Abdus Shakoor,Md Moyeenuzzaman

doi:10.3329/bsmmuj.v12i1.37610

Abstract

This study was done to observe the effects of rehabilitation on chronic low back pain on 139 patient. They were divided into two groups: a) One group (n=71) received naproxen (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, NSAID) with selective rehabilitation and b) another group (n= 68) treated with NSAID only. The patients were followed up weekly for eight weeks. The improvement was found in both groups after treatment. In patients with rehabilitation, the pre-treatment and post-treatment mean scores (Oswastry Disability Index, Visual Analogue Scale and Modified Zung Index) were 34.3 ± 9.8 and 9.9 ± 8.0 respectively (p<0.001). Treatment with NSAID only reduced the mean scores from 34.9 ± 13.5 to 16.0 ± 14.4 (p<0.001) after treatment. There was no significant difference in clinical improvement between the groups in pre-treatment compare with week one, rehabilitation group (29.7 ± 8.7) vs NSAID group (31.5 ± 13.8). While significant improvement was found in rehabilitation group in comparison to NSAID group after 8th week, rehabilitation group vs NSAID group scores were 10.0 ± 7.9 vs 15.9 ± 14.5 respectively (p= 0.004). In conclusion, rehabilitation can be used as an adjunct to NSAID for better improvement.

Highlights

Low back pain is a self-limiting symptom which affects the area between the lower border of the 12th rib and gluteal folds and usually radiates to the lower limb.[1]
Both conservative and surgical option of treatment is available for the treatment of chronic low back pain
About 170 patients were selected according to the criteria and divided into two groups randomly by the way of lottery manually: a) Rehabilitation group (n=85): subjects were treated with selective rehabilitation treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) whereas b) non-rehabilitation group (n=85): subjects were treated with NSAID only

Summary

Introduction

Low back pain is a self-limiting symptom which affects the area between the lower border of the 12th rib and gluteal folds and usually radiates to the lower limb.[1]. 3 Chronic low back pain is the leading cause of limited activity in people under the age of 45 years.[4]. Chronic pain needs multidisciplinary rehabilitation program to manage it effectively having multiple inter-relating social, occupational, physical and psychological factors.[5] Moore et al (2000) stated disability due to low back pain has increased in the past 20 years and is usually due to psychological and social factors.[6] A study showed that low back pain is the single most common musculoskeletal condition and the main cause for being out of duty from the job, resulting in huge loss of wages per year.[7] Many patients of low back pain become chronic and it is about 5-10%.8. Limitation of activity due to low back problems are the most frequently found in persons aged less than 45 years.[9] Financial compensation and social security disability benefits is received by 17.3% of low back pain patients.[10] Both conservative and surgical option of treatment is available for the treatment of chronic low back pain. This study was conducted to find out the effects of rehabilitation measure to improve the disability of the patient with chronic low back pain

Materials and Methods

Procedure of data collection

Findings

Results