title: Effectiveness of a stretching exercise program on low back pain and exercise self-efficacy among nurses in Taiwan: a randomized clinical trial.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a stretching exercise program (SEP) on low back pain (LBP) and exercise self-efficacy among nurses in Taiwan. A total of 127 nurses, who had been experiencing LBP for longer than 6 months and had LBP with pain scores greater than 4 on the Visual Analogue Scale for Pain (VASP), were randomly assigned to an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group (n = 64) followed an SEP, whereas the control group (n = 63) was directed to perform usual activities for 50 minutes per time, three times a week. Data were collected at four time points: at baseline, and 2, 4, and 6 months after the intervention. During the 6-month follow-up, the experimental group had significantly lower VASP scores than did the control group at the second, fourth, and sixth months. In addition, the experimental group showed significantly higher exercise self-efficacy than did the control group at the fourth and sixth months. A total of 81% of the participants in the experimental group reported a moderate to high level of LBP relief. The findings can be used to enhance self-care capabilities with SEP for nurses that experience LBP or are vulnerable to such work-related pain. SEP is an effective and safe nonpharmacological intervention for the management of LBP.
authors.affiliation: Chung Hwa University of Medical Technology, Tainan, Taiwan, Doctoral Candidate of College of Nursing, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Huei-Mein
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Electronic address: hhwang@kmu.edu.tw.
authors.forename: Hsiu-Hung
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chung-Hey
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
authors.forename: Hsou-Mei
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Hu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D052580:Muscle Stretching Exercises / Q000379:methods*; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D020377:Self Efficacy; D013624:Taiwan; D016896:Treatment Outcome