Abstract
ABSTRACTAn estimated 40–85% of all adults will be affected by at least one acute episode of LBP in their lives, with manual labourers most at risk for repeated episodes of LBP. Pain and functional ability were assessed for manual labourers who had previously completed an LBP telehealth programme. Participants had chronic LBP defined as having repeat episodes of pain lasting at least 12 hours each over a 12-month period. Participants completed a six-month programme consisting of monthly phone calls with an exercise physiologist to provide education and support for continued self-care. Seventy-three participants met inclusion criteria by completing the LBP programme and were used for analysis. Mean pain scores showed an improvement of 2.0/10 after six months, and were considered clinically significant. Functional scores as measured by the Oswestry Disability Index improved by a mean 6.6 points, but did not exceed the threshold for clinical significance. A telephonic health-coaching programme is beneficial as a secondary, or concurrent treatment intervention to participant's medical team, but should not be used as the first singular method of treatment. In patients without medical support available, health coaching provides a cost-effective option for safe continuation of self-care.
Published Version
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