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

Abstract

ObjectiveThis 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. MethodsA 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. ResultsAt 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). ConclusionThe educative programme, added to a multidisciplinary care plan, can improve adherence to the care programme and the continuum of PA. Practice implicationsAdd 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.