A physical approach to the rehabilitation of patients disabled by chronic low back pain.
OBJECTIVE
To report the outcome of a multidisciplinary physically based program to treat sufferers of chronic low back pain who had not responded to previous treatment.


METHODS
Prospective intervention study.


METHODS
The treatment program was conducted at the private practice of Brian C Edwards and Associates Rehabilitation Centre.


METHODS
A total of 54 patients participated in the treatment program. All patients were medically referred. No specific exclusion criteria were used; however, all were not working and had not responded to previous treatment.


METHODS
The rehabilitation program consisted of mobilising physiotherapy, isokinetic testing, physical reconditioning, work hardening and psychological testing. This was carried out for seven hours a day, five days a week for four weeks.


RESULTS
Of the 54 patients taking part in this trial 30 (55%) were successfully rehabilitated (returned to work) and remained so at a follow-up session one year later.


CONCLUSIONS
While selection criteria for successful rehabilitation have not been established, the results do indicate that such physical rehabilitation programs have an important part to play in the rehabilitation of sufferers of chronic low back pain.
Edwards
B C
BC
Brian C Edwards & Associates, Mount Medical Centre, Perth, WA.
Zusman
M
M
Hardcastle
P
P
Twomey
L
L
O'Sullivan
P
P
McLean
N
N
D000328:Adult; D001416:Back Pain / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D009790:Occupations; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010556:Personality Tests; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome