F. Johannsen et al., EXERCISES FOR CHRONIC LOW-BACK-PAIN - A CLINICAL-TRIAL, The Journal of orthopaedic and sports physical therapy, 22(2), 1995, pp. 52-59
Different training models are effective for the treatment of chronic l
ow back pain, but no consensus has been found. Earlier studies have em
phasized training of spinal mobility and back strength, To evaluate if
other physiological parameters, such as coordination, are oi equal im
portance, we performed a randomized trial on 40 consecutive patients w
ith chronic low back pain. Two training models were compared: 1) inten
sive training of muscle endurance and 2) muscle training, including co
ordination. In both groups, training was performed 1 hour twice a week
for 3 months. Pain score, disability score, and spinal mobility impro
ved in both training groups without differences between the two groups
. Only intensive training oi muscle endurance improved isokinetic back
muscle strength. At study entry, we found a significant correlation b
etween spinal mobility and dysfunction, but after the training, no cor
relation was found between improvement of spinal mobility or isokineti
c back extension strength and improvement of function or pain level. W
e conclude that coordination training for patients with chronic low ba
ck pain is as equally effective as endurance training.