Aquatic exercise and pain neurophysiology education versus aquatic exercise alone for patients with chronic low back pain: a randomized controlled trial. 2015

Diogo Pires, and Eduardo Brazete Cruz, and Carmen Caeiro
Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco - Physiotherapy Department, School of Health Care, Castelo Branco, Portugal diogo.pires@ipcb.pt.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of a combination of aquatic exercise and pain neurophysiology education with aquatic exercise alone in chronic low back pain patients. METHODS Single-blind randomized controlled trial. METHODS Outpatient clinic. METHODS Sixty-two chronic low back pain patients were randomly allocated to receive aquatic exercise and pain neurophysiology education (n = 30) or aquatic exercise alone (n = 32). METHODS Twelve sessions of a 6-week aquatic exercise programme preceded by 2 sessions of pain neurophysiology education. Controls received only 12 sessions of the 6-week aquatic exercise programme. METHODS The primary outcomes were pain intensity (Visual Analogue Scale) and functional disability (Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale) at the baseline, 6 weeks after the beginning of the aquatic exercise programme and at the 3 months follow-up. Secondary outcome was kinesiophobia (Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia). RESULTS Fifty-five participants completed the study. Analysis using mixed-model ANOVA revealed a significant treatment condition interaction on pain intensity at the 3 months follow-up, favoring the education group (mean SD change: -25.4± 26.7 vs -6.6 ± 30.7, P < 0.005). Although participants in the education group were more likely to report perceived functional benefits from treatment at 3 months follow-up (RR=1.63, 95%CI: 1.01-2.63), no significant differences were found in functional disability and kinesiophobia between groups at any time. CONCLUSIONS This study's findings support the provision of pain neurophysiology education as a clinically effective addition to aquatic exercise.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D009424 Nervous System Physiological Phenomena Characteristic properties and processes of the NERVOUS SYSTEM as a whole or with reference to the peripheral or the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. Nervous System Physiologic Processes,Nervous System Physiological Processes,Nervous System Physiology,Nervous System Physiological Concepts,Nervous System Physiological Phenomenon,Nervous System Physiological Process,Physiology, Nervous System,System Physiology, Nervous
D005081 Exercise Therapy A regimen or plan of physical activities designed and prescribed for specific therapeutic goals. Its purpose is to restore normal musculoskeletal function or to reduce pain caused by diseases or injuries. Rehabilitation Exercise,Remedial Exercise,Therapy, Exercise,Exercise Therapies,Exercise, Rehabilitation,Exercise, Remedial,Exercises, Rehabilitation,Exercises, Remedial,Rehabilitation Exercises,Remedial Exercises,Therapies, Exercise
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D014867 Water A clear, odorless, tasteless liquid that is essential for most animal and plant life and is an excellent solvent for many substances. The chemical formula is hydrogen oxide (H2O). (McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 4th ed) Hydrogen Oxide
D016037 Single-Blind Method A method in which either the observer(s) or the subject(s) is kept ignorant of the group to which the subjects are assigned. Single-Masked Study,Single-Blind Study,Single-Masked Method,Method, Single-Blind,Method, Single-Masked,Methods, Single-Blind,Methods, Single-Masked,Single Blind Method,Single Blind Study,Single Masked Method,Single Masked Study,Single-Blind Methods,Single-Blind Studies,Single-Masked Methods,Single-Masked Studies,Studies, Single-Blind,Studies, Single-Masked,Study, Single-Blind,Study, Single-Masked
D017116 Low Back Pain Acute or chronic pain in the lumbar or sacral regions, which may be associated with musculo-ligamentous SPRAINS AND STRAINS; INTERVERTEBRAL DISK DISPLACEMENT; and other conditions. Lumbago,Low Back Ache,Low Back Pain, Mechanical,Low Back Pain, Posterior Compartment,Low Back Pain, Postural,Low Back Pain, Recurrent,Low Backache,Lower Back Pain,Mechanical Low Back Pain,Postural Low Back Pain,Recurrent Low Back Pain,Ache, Low Back,Aches, Low Back,Back Ache, Low,Back Aches, Low,Back Pain, Low,Back Pain, Lower,Back Pains, Low,Back Pains, Lower,Backache, Low,Backaches, Low,Low Back Aches,Low Back Pains,Low Backaches,Lower Back Pains,Pain, Low Back,Pain, Lower Back,Pains, Low Back,Pains, Lower Back
D059350 Chronic Pain Aching sensation that persists for more than a few months. It may or may not be associated with trauma or disease, and may persist after the initial injury has healed. Its localization, character, and timing are more vague than with acute pain. Chronic Primary Pain,Chronic Secondary Pain,Pain, Chronic,Widespread Chronic Pain,Chronic Pain, Widespread,Pain, Chronic Primary,Pain, Chronic Secondary,Pain, Widespread Chronic,Primary Pain, Chronic,Secondary Pain, Chronic

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