EXERCISE FOR WORKERS WITH MUSCULOSKELETAL PAIN - DOES ENHANCING COMPLIANCE DECREASE PAIN

A low rate of compliance for exercise regimens is a difficult problem for programs aimed at treating or preventing musculoskeletal pain. In fact, the utility of exercise for common pain problems has been debate d since poor compliance confounds proper program evaluation. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of a complia nce enhancement measure and subsequently to assess the effects of phys ical activity on pain perception. Forty-eight employees (mean age = 42 , 20 females) currently working at two companies and who reported musc uloskeletal pain, but no exercise habit voluntarily sewed as subjects. The Comparison Group was provided with information and free membershi p at a health center The Exercise Compliance Enhancement Group met ind ividually with a behavioral psychologist, who employed cognitive-behav ioral techniques, to plan their activity program. Results showed that the Compliance Enhancement Group had a higher rate of adherence and pa rticipated in significantly more exercises over the course of 6 months than did the Comparison Group. However analyses based on pre- and pos ttest gain scores showed that the differences between the groups for a erobic capacity and pain intensity were not significant. However, when compliers were compared with noncompliers, those complying with the a ctivity program were found to have improved their aerobic capacity mor e than noncompliers. Yet for overall pain intensity ratings, the diffe rence between compliers and noncompliers was still not significant. In tensity ratings made immediately before and after exercising indicated that exercise activities were related to a significant increase in pa in intensity. These results indicate that compliance for exercise may be significantly improved but the effect of exercise activities on ove rall pain intensify was not significant relative to the comparison gro up.