Does physical activity change predict functional recovery in low back pain? Protocol for a prospective cohort study

Area of Science:

• Biomedical research
• Rehabilitation science
• Occupational health

Background:

• Activity advice and prescription are standard in low back pain (LBP) management.
• Evidence supports advising LBP patients to remain active for recovery and return to work.
• No prior research has objectively measured free-living physical activity (PA) to predict LBP outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate free-living PA levels in working-age adults with acute and sub-acute LBP.
• To determine the predictive relationship between PA levels/changes and functional recovery in LBP.
• To assess the influence of occupational, psychological, and behavioral factors on the PA-LBP recovery relationship.

Main Methods:

• Observational longitudinal study of community-dwelling adults with LBP.
• PA measured via self-report, accelerometry (RT3), and activity recall at baseline, 3 months, and 1 year.
• Primary outcome: functional recovery measured by Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ).

Main Results:

• This research will investigate levels and changes in activity levels of an acute LBP cohort.
• The predictive relationship between PA and LBP recovery will be examined.
• The influence of occupational, psychological, and behavioral factors on this relationship will be assessed.

Conclusions:

• Results will inform the evidence base for international guidelines recommending activity restoration in LBP management.
• This study will determine if objective PA measurements can predict LBP recovery and course.
• Findings will clarify the role of PA in the recovery of individuals with LBP.