title: Person-Centered, Physical Activity for Patients with Low Back Pain: Piloting Service Delivery.
abstract: Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common and costly conditions in industrialized countries. Exercise therapy has been used to treat LBP, although typically using only one mode of exercise. This paper describes the method and initial findings of a person-centered, group physical activity programme which featured as part of a multidisciplinary approach to treating LBP. Six participants (aged 50.7 ± 17 years) completed a six-week physical activity programme lasting two hours per week. A multicomponent approach to physical activity was adopted which included aerobic fitness, core activation, muscular strength and endurance, Nordic Walking, flexibility and exercise gaming. In addition, participants were required to use diary sheets to record physical activity completed at home. Results revealed significant (p < 0.05) improvements in back strength (23%), aerobic fitness (23%), negative wellbeing (32%) and disability (16%). Person's Correlation Coefficient analysis revealed significant (p < 0.05) relationships between improvement in perceived pain and aerobic fitness (r = 0.93). It was concluded that a person-centered, multicomponent approach to physical activity may be optimal for supporting patients who self-manage LBP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, University of St Mark and St John, Plymouth PL11 8BH, UK. sbloxham@marjon.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Saul
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bloxham
authors.affiliation: London Sport Institute, Middlesex University, London NW4 4BT, UK. p.barter@mdx.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Phil
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Barter
authors.affiliation: Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust, Plymouth PL6 8DH, UK. slafka.scragg@nhs.net.
authors.forename: Slafka
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Scragg
authors.affiliation: Plymouth Community Back Pain Service, Stoke Surgery, Belmont Villas, Stoke, Plymouth PL3 4DP, UK. charles.peers@nhs.net.
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Peers
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, University of St Mark and St John, Plymouth PL11 8BH, UK. bjane@marjon.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Ben
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jane
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, University of St Mark and St John, Plymouth PL11 8BH, UK. jlayden@marjon.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Joe
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Layden
keywords: disability; low back pain; physical activity; physical fitness; self-management; well-being