• Gray E
• Guerriero RC
• Rajwani M

• Low Back Pain / rehabilitation
• Treatment Outcome

To evaluate the effectiveness of physical rehabilitation of low back pain patients in a multidisciplinary setting.

Design:

A retrospective study profiled and analysed objective data from patients seen through a rehabilitation program in a private multidisciplinary facility.

Patients:

147 patients with low back pain were analysed.

Population:

The sample consisted mainly of patients with motor vehicle accident-related or work-related injuries to the lower back. They ranged from acute to chronic in nature.

Main outcome measures:

The primary measures were the Oswestry Pain Disability Index (ODI) and the Pain Visual Analogue Scale. Secondary measures included SLR, sit and reach test, grip strength, leg lift strength and ranges of motion.

Results:

The outcome measures used in the study showed statistical significance (p < 0.05). Positive clinical trends were shown in pain VAS, ODI, leg lift and sit and reach tests. Ninety percent of patients were cleared to return to work upon discharge from the program.

Conclusions:

Further studies of active physical rehabilitation should employ a prospective randomized controlled trial design. The study should also follow up patients to confirm that they have continued to work following discharge from the program. As indicated by the statistical analysis provided by this study, a minimum sample size of 53 subjects per intervention group would be required.

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