Effects of educational and back exercise program in transfer workers with chronic low back pain

Abstract

Background: Chronic low back pain is a common problem found in transfer workers. Back education and back exercise program may help to decrease pain intensity and improve functional capacity in transfer workers. Objectives: To examine the effects of educational and back exercise program on pain intensity, functional capacity, and back pain knowledge in transfer workers with chronic low back pain. Materials and methods: Forty male transfer workers with chronic low back pain were randomly assigned to intervention group (n=20 mean age 40.25±10.6) and control group (n=20 mean age 37.55±10.6). Participants in the intervention group received back educational program which composed of 1 hour of lecture and 3 hours of practical session. Then, they performed back exercise program at home for 20 minutes per session, 3 times a week for 12 weeks. Pain intensity, functional capacity and back pain knowledge were evaluated using visual analog scale, Oswestry disability index, and knowledge test respectively. All evaluations were performed before and after 12 weeks periods. Differences between and within groups in pain intensity were analyzed using independent t-test and paired t-test. Nonparametric statistics were used to analyze functional capacity and back pain knowledge. Significance level was set at p0.05). Conclusion: Back education and back exercise of 20 minutes per session, 3 times a week for 12 weeks could improve functional capacity and back pain knowledge in transfer workers with chronic low back pain. Journal of Associated Medical Sciences 2017; 50(2): 245-252. Doi: 10.14456/jams.2017.24

Keywords

• Low back pain
• transfer workers
• back education