[Short- and midterm effectiveness of a back school. Retrospective cohort study on 328 patients with chronic low back...

To assess the short- and midterm effects of a back school programme on patients with chronic low back pain. To determine positive factors to the effectiveness of back school.

A retrospective cohort study about 328 chronic low back pain patients who participated to back school from 1997 to 2004. One hundred and thirty-two patients had comparative study at six months. The descriptive study used the "before and after" method. Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate factors statistically associated with improvement of pain and functional, social and occupational status.

The six months results showed effectiveness of back school on pain and functional status. The impact on quality of life was low. It made reduction of the period of sick leave but not recurrence of them. Predictors to effectiveness of back school were identified: to be young and to have regular physical activity. To be anxious, overweight and to receive worker's compensation were devafourable factors to effectiveness of back school.

Even if the number of lost to follow up is high, these results are encouraging. A long-term follow-up is necessary to confirm the initial benefits of back school. We although have to assess the role of physical activity in mid-term effectiveness of this back school.