Motor control learning in chronic low back pain.

STUDY DESIGN

A randomized prospective cohort study of participants with chronic low back pain, seeking physical therapy, with follow-up at weeks 6 and 28. Effects of conventional physiotherapy and physiotherapy with the addition of postural biofeedback were compared.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the benefits of postural biofeedback in chronic low back pain participants.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Biofeedback using electromyographic signals has been used in chronic low back pain with mixed results. Postural feedback had not been previously used.

METHODS

Demographic and psychological baseline data along with range of motion were analyzed from a sample of 47 chronic participants with low back pain randomized into conventional physiotherapy with or without the addition of postural biofeedback.

RESULTS

After 6 months, there were 21 dropouts. The participants with biofeedback had markedly improved status in visual analog pain scales, short form-36, and range of motion.

CONCLUSION

The study strongly suggests that postural feedback is a useful adjunct to conventional physiotherapy of chronic low back pain participants.