title: Symptoms of psychological distress and treatment effects with low-back pain patients.
abstract: The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between psychological distress, the severity of low-back pain and the response of 54-63-year-old male in- and outpatients to low-back treatment. The correlation between the index of psychological distress and the back pain index was statistically significant, but relatively low. In the outpatient group (n = 63) those with fewer symptoms of distress and those not employed benefited significantly more from the treatment. In the inpatient group (n = 88), such clear differences were not found. The effects of treatment for low-back pain were relatively short-lived in both groups, whilst the number of inpatients reporting a large variety of positive effects after the treatment was greater. Differences between the two types of treatment are discussed.
mesh_terms: D001143:Arousal; D001416:Back Pain / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational / Q000523:psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications*