Resistance band training or general exercise in multidisciplinary rehabilitation of low back pain? A randomized trial

Abstract

Multidisciplinary biopsychosocial rehabilitation has been recommended for chronic low back pain (LBP), including physical exercise. However, which exercise modality that is most advantageous in multidisciplinary biopsychosocial rehabilitation is unclear. In this study, we investigated whether multidisciplinary biopsychosocial rehabilitation could be more effective in reducing pain-related disability when general physical exercise was replaced by strength training in the form of progressive resistance training using elastic resistance bands. In this single-blinded (researchers), randomized controlled trial, 99 consenting adults with moderate-to-severe non-specific LBP were randomized to three weeks of multidisciplinary biopsychosocial rehabilitation with either general physical exercise or progressive resistance band training and were then instructed to continue with their respective home-based programs for nine additional weeks, in which three booster sessions were offered. The primary outcome was between-group difference in change on the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) at 12 weeks. Due to early dropouts, data from 74 participants (mean age: 45 years, 57% women, mean ODI: 30.4) were obtained at baseline, 61 participants were followed-up at 3 weeks, and 46 at 12 weeks. There was no difference in the change in ODI score between groups at 12 weeks (mean difference 1.9, 95% CI: -3.6, 7.4, P = .49). Likewise, the change in secondary outcomes did not differ between groups, except for the patient-specific functional scale (0-10), which favored general physical exercise (mean difference 1.4, 95% CI: 0.1, 2.7, P = .033). In conclusion, this study does not support that progressive resistance band training compared to general physical exercise improve outcomes in multidisciplinary biopsychosocial rehabilitation for patients with non-specific LBP.

The effect of an integrated multidisciplinary rehabilitation programme alternating inpatient interventions with home-based activities for patients with chronic low back pain: a randomized controlled trial

“…Of all 15 trials identified, only two used the Oswestry Disability Index as their primary outcome measure. 24,25 The changes they observed in back-specific disability are similar to those we observed with a within-group decrease of between 7 and 9 points at the 12-week follow-up 24 and a within-group decrease between 2 and 5 points at the 52-week follow-up. 25 Neither of these trials found significant between-group differences, 24,25 similar to our results.…”

“…To our knowledge, no single outcome measure has been developed and validated to measure the domain of integrating knowledge, skills, and behaviours into daily life. We identified three further trials [23][24][25] in addition to the 12 trials already included in the most recent Cochrane review 3 that compared two or more multidisciplinary rehabilitation programmes. Of all 15 trials identified, only two used the Oswestry Disability Index as their primary outcome measure.…”

“…We identified three further trials 23–25 in addition to the 12 trials already included in the most recent Cochrane review 3 that compared two or more multidisciplinary rehabilitation programmes. Of all 15 trials identified, only two used the Oswestry Disability Index as their primary outcome measure.…”

Resistance training vs general physical exercise in multidisciplinary rehabilitation of chronic neck pain: A randomized controlled trial

“…The RCT was carried out at an outpatient hospital back-and neck-pain clinic (hereafter termed "the clinic") at the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, St Olavs Hospital, Trondheim, Norway. This trial has a similar design and recruitment procedure as a previous RCT in patients with low back pain, and the methods are partly overlapping (22,23). Patient characteristics were registered at baseline, while primary and secondary effect measures were obtained at baseline, week 3 and week 12.…”

Determinants of Stretching Exercise Behavior among Office Employees using Health Promotion Model with Added Constructs

“…Performing stretching exercises (SE) can reduce discomfort and pain and also increase the range of motion 1 consequently could reduce chronic musculoskeletal pain 2 . Specialists recommend that multidisciplinary biopsychosocial rehabilitation and physical exercise are a crucial component of pain 3 Despite the fact that exercise programs have been proven to benefit people with pain [4][5] . Physical inactivity in adults is highest in the eastern Mediterranean countries as well as Iran.…”