On the effect of a clinical rehabilitative treatment in patients with chronic low back pain

Journal/Book: Eur. J. Phys. Med. Rehabil. 2: 10 (1992). 1992;

Abstract: Institut für kurmedizinische Forschung Bad Wildungen Germany In a pilot study the effect of a 4 weeks rehabilitative treatment on the intensity of low back pain (LBP) was evaluated using daily subjective ratings. A total of 35 patients suffering from chronic LBP had to fill in a questionnaire on the pain intensity the subjective rnuscular stiffness and movability as well as the irradiation of LBP. Additionally the questionnaire included ratings of the general well-being. All patients stayed for at least 4 weeks in a clinic for orthopedic rehabilitation. The therapy included balneotherapy electrotherapy physical therapy and a back school program. Additiorially at the beginning and the end of treatment the physician rated the results of his own investigations concerning muscular stiffness function of the vertebral column and others. The results show a significant reduction of the intensity of LBP (p < 0.001) the subjective muscular stiffness (p < 0.001). and the number of patients which pain irradiation (p < 0.001). However the subjective movability of the spinal column increased (p < 0.01). The changes amounted at an average to about 50% of the initial score values. It is concluded. that the used questionnaire is appropriate to study the effects of physical therapy on LBP and that the physical therapy was effective.

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