Long-term effectiveness of high-intensity training in chronic nonspecific low back pain

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate and compare the effect of a combined HIT and MIT protocol on pain intensity and disability on LT-FU and to objectify the influence of subjective experience to primary outcome measures after a combined HIT and MIT protocol on CNSLBP patients.

Methodology: A 12-week exercise therapy program at high or moderate intensity was followed. Questionnaires to assess disability (Modified Oswestry Disability Index), pain intensity (Numeric Pain Rating Scale) and subjective experience (Intrinsic Motivation Inventory) were administered at baseline, mid-, post-intervention and LT-FU.

Results: Significant within-group decreases (p<0.05) regarding MODI were present when baseline was compared to LT-FU in both groups. Regarding NPRS a significant reduction (p<0.05) was only present in the HIT-group. No significant between-group differences were found at LT-FU. When post-intervention was compared to LT-FU, obtained results were preserved in both groups. Regarding IMI, many subscales had a correlation below the cut-off of r = 0.2 and weren’t included in the multivariate regression analysis. Finally, no regression model could be built since no factors reached ‘the value threshold stopping rule’.

Conclusion: Obtained decreases in pain intensity and disability are preserved at LT-FU in both HIT- and MIT-group however no between-group differences were found. Also, no interaction was found between subjective experience and primary outcome measures.