Pain and functional outcomes after outpatient physiotherapy in patients with low back pain

Physiotherapy treatment programs are recommended in the rehabilitation of low back pain (LBP). Rehabilitation institutions are increasingly asked to demonstrate the outcomes of their intensive physiotherapy services.

To describe pain and functional outcome measures following a 6-month outpatient physiotherapy treatment program in patients with LBP.

A total of 85 patients were analysed after being treated with a combination of physiotherapeutic treatment modalities 2-3 days weekly. Pain and disability were measured before, 3 and 6 months after the onset of treatment. Isometric trunk muscle strength for flexion and extension and flexibility of dorsal trunk and thigh structures were measured before and 6 months after treatment.

After 6 months, pain at rest decreased from a median of 4.0 to 0.0 (p < 0.01) and pain during activity from a median of 5.5 to 2.0 on the numeric rating scale (p < 0.001). The Roland-Morris Disability (RMDQ) score decreased from a median of 7.0 to 3.0 (p < 0.001). Mean trunk muscle flexion strength increased from 133.7 to 156.0 Nm and for extension from 235.5 to 278.3 Nm (p < 0.001). Flexibility was improved from a mean of -5.9 to -1.4 cm (p < 0.001). A moderate correlation between pain at rest and RMDQ score was found after 3 (r = 0.532, p < 0.01) and 6 months (r = 0.508, p < 0.01).

Patients with LBP who were treated with the physiotherapeutic treatment program showed a clinically relevant reduction of pain and disability with improved trunk muscle strength and flexibility. Reductions in pain and disability do not seem to correlate with increased trunk muscle strength and flexibility. No conclusions can be declared about long-term changes after the intervention.