Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine exercise compliance in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) after participation in an intensive spine rehabilitation program.
Methods: Exercise behaviors in 122 consecutive subjects with CLBP who completed a program of quota based exercise were examined. Frequency per week of performance of four exercise activities, Oswestry disability scores, and visual analog scale (VAS) scores were assessed at evaluation, 3-month, and 12-month follow-up by patient-completed questionnaires.
Results: Percentage of patients responding to initial, 3-month, and 12-month questionnaires were 100%, 86%, and 71%, respectively. Frequencies of exercise behaviors were compared by Wilcoxon signed-rank test and were found to increase significantly between evaluation and 3 months (P < 0.000), and evaluation and 12-month follow-up (P < 0.000). The percentages of patients reporting three or more times weekly performance of the following activities at evaluation and at three month follow-up, respectively, were: 1) stretching for the back and legs, 35% and 93%; 2) aerobic exercise, 44% and 87%; 3) back-strengthening exercises, 15% and 82%; and, 4) weight training, 6% and 71%. Evaluation and follow-up Oswestry disability and visual analog scale (VAS) scores for back pain were compared using Student's t-test. Significant improvements (P < 0.000) were noted for each of these scales at 3-month follow-up that were maintained at 12-month follow-up.
Conclusion: It is concluded that exercise behaviors can be increased and maintained in CLBP patients without adversely affecting pain or function.