A pilot study of the effects of high-intensity aerobic exercise versus passive interventions on pain, disability, psychological strain, and serum cortisol concentrations in people with chronic low back pain.
OBJECTIVE
Given the complex nature of chronic pain, the effects of high-intensity aerobic exercise on pain, disability, psychological strain, and serum cortisol concentrations in people with chronic low back pain were investigated.


METHODS
Twenty subjects receiving primary health care were randomly allocated into exercise and control groups.


METHODS
Subjects in the exercise group received a 12-week, high-intensity aerobic exercise program. Subjects in the control group received 12 weeks of passive modalities without any form of physical activity.


RESULTS
Data analysis identified reductions in pain (41%, t(10)=8.51, P<.001), disability (31%, t(10)=7.32, P<.001), and psychological strain (35%, t(10)=7.09, P<.001) in subjects in the exercise group and no changes in subjects in the control group. High-intensity exercise failed to influence serum cortisol concentrations.


CONCLUSIONS
Regular high-intensity aerobic exercise alleviated pain, disability, and psychological strain in subjects with chronic low back pain but did not improve serum cortisol concentrations.
Chatzitheodorou
Dimitris
D
Department of Physical Therapy, Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki, PO Box 141, 57400 Sindos, Greece. dim_chatzi@yahoo.com
Kabitsis
Chris
C
Malliou
Paraskevi
P
Mougios
Vassilis
V
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D006854:Hydrocortisone