Clinical effects of a nine-month web-based intervention in subacute non-specific low back pain patients: a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To test the clinical effect of a web-based lower back pain intervention on quality of life and selected lower back pain outcomes.


METHODS
A prospective single-blinded randomized intervention.


METHODS
Occupational preventive service.


METHODS
One hundred office workers with non-specific subacute lower back pain.


METHODS
The 50 intervention group subjects were educated daily about sitting correctly and asked to perform exercises shown by video demonstrations on the university website. The exercise routines included strengthening, mobility and stretching exercises focused on the postural stability muscles. The 50 control group subjects only received standard occupational care.


METHODS
Outcomes were measured by the EuroQol questionnaire five dimensions three levels, the Oswestry Disability Index, and the StarT Back Screening Tool questionnaires. At nine months, the intervention group outcomes were compared to the baseline data and the control group outcomes.


RESULTS
For 97% (n = 45) of the experimental group quality of life (clinical utility) improved significantly; 3.58 times greater than the control group. Oswestry Disability Index showed an odds ratio (OR) of 5.42 with a 37% (n = 17) change for the intervention group with respect to the control group. With regard to the StarT Back Screening Tool, 76% (n = 35) of the intervention group improved their clinical state (odds ratio = 3.04 with respect to the control group improvement). Logistic regression analysis revealed positive changes in EuroQol questionnaire, increasing the likelihood of observing positive changes in StarT Back Screening Tool (OR = 15.5) and Oswestry Disability Index (OR = 4.5).


CONCLUSIONS
The intervention showed clinical improvements in quality of life and selected lower back pain outcomes in the experimental group compared to the control group.
Faculty of Sport Science, University of Extremadura, Caceres, Spain. borjadelpozo@unex.es
Borja
B
del Pozo-Cruz
Narcis
N
Gusi
Jesús
J
del Pozo-Cruz
Jose C
JC
Adsuar
Miguel
M
Hernandez-Mocholí
Jose A
JA
Parraca
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013997:Time Factors