Background
Lower back pain is very common in the western world. It results in a great
suffering for the person and large economic costs for the society. Today lower
back pain is treated with information to stay active and medication for pain relief.
There is a lack of knowledge with regards to what effect physical training has as
prevention and treatment for acute and subacute lower back pain.
Aim
The aim of this study was to, among patients with acute and subacute non-specific
lower back pain, describe their level of physical activity and evaluate differences
between groups with different levels of activity. The aim was also to explore the
association between pain intensity, disability and level of physical activity.
Method
The study was conducted as a survey. The participants was 15 patients, 6 men and
9 women with the mean age of 49,2 years old, who had sought care for acute and
subacute lower back pain in 6 different primary care clinics. The level of physical
activity were estimated using the indicator questions for physical activity by
Socialstyrelsen, the pain intensity was measured with the Numeric Rating Scale
and the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire was answered. Data was analyzed
with descriptive statistics, differences were tested with Mann-Whitney U-test and
correlations analyzed with Spearman correlations coefficient.
Results
Eight out of 15 participants reached the WHO recommendations of physical
activity (> 150 min/week). Those who participated in physical training minimum
90 mins/week had a median value of NRS 5,5 and RMDQ 8. For those who trained
less the median values were for NRS 7,5 (p=0,153) and RMDQ 11,5 (p=0,175). A
week correlation between NRS (r=-0,136) and level of physical activity was noted
while such correlation between RMDQ was negligible (r=-0,158).
Conclusion
There were no statically significant difference between the groups who trained at
least 90 minutes per week and those who trained less neither in regards to pain
intensity or disability. A weak but not statistically significant correlation was
observed between physical activity and pain intensity.