Care related pain and functional restoration for chronic low back pain: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVE

To assess care related pain during a program of functional restoration for chronic low back pain.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Chronic low back pain patients were prospectively included in a program of functional restoration. Low back pain was recorded before and after each morning and afternoon sessions, all over the program of functional restoration, for equivalence study. Equivalence was admitted if 95% confidence interval of the difference in pain falled wholly in the interval ± 10/100mm. Medication was recorded during the program. Progression of the patients during the program and 3-month effectiveness were also recorded for internal validity.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven patients were included. They underwent a progression in load and spent energy during the program. Follow-up also indicated improvement of functional ability and quality of life. There was no variation in pain during the program however medication intake increased.

CONCLUSION

There was no significant care related pain during our program of functional restoration for chronic low back pain. This may be due to adaptation of the medication and suggests the importance of close medical management of patients during functional restoration.