Complex treatment of patients with chronic non-specific back pain and comorbid disorders: a prospective clinical study

Abstract

A complex approach including an educational program, ergonomics, kinesiotherapy and pharmacotherapy is effective in the treatment of patients with chronic non-specific back pain (CNBP). The efficacy of complex treatment with personalized kinesiotherapy in patients with CNBP and comorbid disorders has not yet been sufficiently investigated.Objective: to evaluate the efficacy of a complex treatment including special kinesiotherapy, standard pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods in patients with CNBP and comorbid disorders.Material and methods. The study included 60 patients (12 men and 48 women, mean age 38.3±8.7 years) with CNBS and comorbid disorders (neck pain, insomnia, tension type headaches, anxiety and/or depressive symptoms). Patients were randomized into two groups: group 1 received complex treatment, including special kinesiotherapy, standard therapy (educational program, standard kinesiotherapy, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxers, antidepressants in some patients), group 2 – standard therapy. The clinical and psychological parameters of all patients were analyzed at baseline, and after 1, 3 and 6 months of treatment.Results. After 1 month of treatment, the clinical effect (CE) in terms of CNBS (reduction of back pain (BP) intensity according to the numerical rating scale and Oswestry questionnaire by 30% or more) was achieved in 80% of patients in group 1, which is statistically significantly (p<0.05) higher than in group 2 (46.7% of patients). By month 3 of observation, the number of patients achieving CE increased to 86.7% in group 1 and decreased to 36.6% in group 2. After 6 months, all patients in group 1 maintained the achieved CE, while in group 2 only 30% of patients maintained CE. In group 1, a complete regression of BP was observed in more than one third of patients at month 3 and 6 of observation (33.3 and 36.6%, respectively). In group 2, no regression of BP was observed in any case. In group 1, in contrast to group 2, a statistically significant (p<0.05) decrease in scores on the Beck Pain Catastrophizing Scale, the Kinesiophobia Scale, Beck Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Insomnia Severity Index, Headache Impact Index and Neck Pain Disability Index was observed. The decrease continued until the 6th month of observation.Conclusion. A complex treatment comprising special kinesiotherapy, standard non-drug and drug therapy leads to a rapid (after 1 month) positive effect in patients with CNBP and comorbid disorders that lasts over a long period of time (6 months).