Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1942/28906
Title: Exercise Intensity Matters in Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain Rehabilitation
Authors: VERBRUGGHE, Jonas 
AGTEN, Anouk 
STEVENS, Sjoerd 
HANSEN, Dominique 
Demoulin, Christophe
OP 'T EIJNDE, Bert 
VANDENABEELE, Frank 
TIMMERMANS, Annick 
Issue Date: 2019
Publisher: LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS
Source: Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 51(12), p. 2434-2442.
Abstract: Introduction: Exercise therapy (ET) is advocated as a treatment for chronic nonspecific low back pain (CNSLBP). However, therapy effect sizes remain low. In other chronic disorders, training at higher intensity has resulted in greater improvements on both general health related and disease specific outcomes compared to lower intensity ET. Possibly, high intensity training also improves effect sizes in CNSLBP. Objective: To compare the effects of a high intensity ET program with a similar moderate intensity ET program on disability, pain, function, exercise capacity, and abdominal/back muscle strength in persons with CNSLBP. Methods: In a randomized controlled trial, persons with CNSLBP performed a 12-week ET program (24 sessions, 1.5hours/session, 2x/week) at high (HIT) or moderate intensity (MIT). Questionnaires to assess disability (Modified Oswestry Index (MODI)), pain intensity (Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)), and function (Patient Specific Functioning Scale (PSFS)), a cardiopulmonary exercise test to assess exercise capacity (VO2max, cycling time), and a maximum isometric muscle strength test to assess abdominal/back muscle strength (maximum muscle torque) were administered at baseline and after the training program. Results: Thirty-eight participants (HIT: n=19, MIT: n=19) were included (mean age: 44.1y, SD=9.8, 12 males). Groups did not differ at baseline. Between group differences (p<0.01) in favor of HIT were found for MODI, VO2max, and cycling time. Within group improvements (p<0.01) were found in both groups on MODI (HIT:-64%, MIT:-33%), NPRS (HIT:-56%, MIT:-39%), PSFS (HIT:+37%, MIT:+39%), VO2max (HIT:+14, MIT:+4%), cycling time (HIT:+18%, MIT:+13%), and back muscle strength (HIT:+10%, MIT:+14%). Conclusion: HIT proved to be a feasible, well tolerated, and effective therapy modality in CNSLBP. Moreover, it shows greater improvements on disability and exercise capacity than a similar ET performed at moderate intensity.
Keywords: Chronic Low Back Pain;Exercise Therapy;High-Intensity Training;Rehabilitation;Randomized Controlled Trial
Document URI: http://hdl.handle.net/1942/28906
ISSN: 0195-9131
e-ISSN: 1530-0315
DOI: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000002078
ISI #: WOS:000497515100002
Rights: 2019 American College of Sports Medicine
Category: A1
Type: Journal Contribution
Validations: ecoom 2020
Appears in Collections:Research publications

Files in This Item:
File Description SizeFormat 
Manuscript - final journal version -with tables.pdf
  Restricted Access
Peer-reviewed author version803.6 kBAdobe PDFView/Open    Request a copy
Show full item record

SCOPUSTM   
Citations

3
checked on Sep 2, 2020

WEB OF SCIENCETM
Citations

31
checked on Mar 21, 2024

Page view(s)

158
checked on Jul 15, 2022

Download(s)

102
checked on Jul 15, 2022

Google ScholarTM

Check

Altmetric


Items in DSpace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.