Related Experiment Videos
[Feasability of a back school assessment programme]
C F Roques1, A Felez, P Marque
1Service de médecine physique et de réadaptation, centre hospitalier universitaire, 31403 cedex 4, Toulouse, France. christian-francois.roques@wanadoo.fr
Summary
This study found that an objective assessment program for chronic low back pain is feasible. While most measures showed no significant difference between groups, back school patients had lower flexor muscle strength, warranting further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Pain Management
- Clinical Assessment
Background:
- Chronic low back pain (CLBP) affects a significant portion of the population, necessitating effective assessment and management strategies.
- Back school programs aim to educate patients on pain management, ergonomics, and exercise, but their objective assessment feasibility requires evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the feasibility of an objective assessment program for chronic low back pain.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a back school education program in patients with CLBP.
Main Methods:
- A randomized assessment program including 29 CLBP patients (15 pre-back school, 14 post-back school).
- Measurements included demographics, pain (Visual Analog Scale - VAS, St Antoine Hospitals Pain Questionnaire - SAPQ), psychological factors (anxiety, depression), RIII nociceptive reflex, functional measures (fingertip-to-floor, lumbar function), and muscle strength (lumbar flexors/extensors via Cybex dynamometer).
- The Back School Education program comprised five sessions covering information, ergonomics, and extension exercises.
Main Results:
- No significant differences observed between pre- and post-back school groups in age, BMI, anxiety, depression, pain (VAS, SAPQ, RIII reflex), lumbar stiffness, disability, or quality of life.
- Patients who completed back school demonstrated significantly lower peak torque of flexor muscles and a lower flexor/extensor strength ratio.
- Significant differences in SAPQ scores and muscle strength were noted between men and women. SAPQ and VAS scores correlated with psychological factors, disability, and muscle strength.
Conclusions:
- The objective assessment of chronic low back pain is feasible, despite study limitations.
- Further research is needed to confirm flexor muscle impairment in women and post-back school patients.
- The evaluated tests are relevant for determining the efficiency of back school programs in managing CLBP.