Acute Effects of a Combined Strength and Endurance Training Rehabilitation Protocol for Patients in Different Professions with Back Pain

Abstract

Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a combined strength and endurance training rehabilitation protocol for patients in different professions with back pain. Material and Methods 162 patients (craftsman n=56, preschool teachers n=45 and nurses n=61) were included into a prospective observational study. Peak force of trunk muscles (isometric testing), endurance (PWC130) and back pain dysfunction (ODI) were assessed before (t1) and after (t2) a 3-week-period of individually tailored but not professionally clustered rehabilitation training. Results The ODI (%) disability as well as all trunk muscle peak forces and aerobic endurence improved significantly in all subsamples (p<0.01), with the exception of the preschool teachers. They showed unaltered PWC130 values (p=0.255), which was in turn accompanied by a significant weight gain (+1%, p<0.001), while craftsmen and nurses demonstrated no changes in weight or waist circumference (p>0.05). But all analyses revealed great interindividual variations. Pre-post changes did not differ significantly among the profession groups (p>0.05). Conclusions Interindividual response variations should be considered as a typical finding well known in back pain rehabilitation studies. We did not reveal benefit differences between occupational subsamples after the present combined strength and endurance training protocol. Future research should apply a randomized study design to compare the regular rehabilitation program and enriched programs including specific occupational demands.