An occupational, internet-based intervention to prevent chronicity in subacute lower back pain: a randomised controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether an online occupational postural and exercise intervention reduced patients' overall risk status for chronicity in subacute non-specific low back pain compared with conventional treatment, and to determine whether changes in risk of chronicity correlate with changes in specific outcomes (i.e. Functional Status and QoL) for low back pain.


METHODS
Prospective, single-blinded randomized intervention study.


METHODS
University office workers with subacute non-specific low back pain (n=100) were randomized 1:1 to an intervention group, who received an online occupational postural and exercise intervention, and a control group.


METHODS
Exercise and education materials used in the intervention were developed as an online resource, and included video demonstrations recorded in a laboratory. All sessions included exercises combining postural stability (for abdominal, lumbar, hip and thigh muscles) strengthening, flexibility, mobility, and stretching. Outcome measures included STarT Back Screening Tool (SBST), Roland Morris score, and European Quality of Life Questionnaire -5 dimensions - 3 levels. At 9 months, SBST was analysed and compared with the baseline and controls.


RESULTS
Significant positive effects were found on mean scores recorded in the online occupational exercise intervention group for risk of chronicity (p<0.019). A correlation between functional disability, health-related quality of life and risk of chronicity of low back pain was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
This study supports the potential utility of a real-time occupational internet-based intervention for preventing progression to chronicity of subacute non-specific low back pain among office workers.
Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Extremadura, Caceres, Spain.
Borja
B
del Pozo-Cruz
Jose A
JA
Parraca
Jesus
J
del Pozo-Cruz
Jose C
JC
Adsuar
Jonathan
J
Hill
Narcis
N
Gusi
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016272:Occupational Health; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires