Pilot evaluation of a multidisciplinary, medically supervised, nonsurgical weight loss program on the severity of low back pain in obese adults

Abstract

Background context: Low back pain (LBP) is a prevalent and costly condition. Although its etiology is largely unknown, a link to obesity is suspected, and weight loss programs are often recommended to obese patients with LBP.

Purpose: To assess the efficacy of a pilot, multidisciplinary, medically supervised, nonsurgical weight loss program involving meal replacement, caloric restriction, education, exercise, and group therapy at reducing the severity of LBP in obese adults.

Study design: Pilot prospective cohort study.

Patient sample: A total of 46 obese adults (mean body mass index [BMI] 44.7±7.6 kg/m2) referred to an academic hospital for a multidisciplinary, medically supervised, nonsurgical weight loss program who reported LBP were enrolled.

Outcome measures: The severity of LBP was measured using the Numerical Pain Scale (NPS) and modified Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) at baseline (Week 1), Week 14, and Week 53; weight, BMI, dietary adherence, and physical activity levels were also measured.

Methods: The 52-week weight loss program was administered by a team of physicians, dietitians, exercise specialists, and nurses and included liquid meal replacements for 12 weeks, followed by supervised caloric restriction diets for 13 weeks. Participants also attended weekly group therapy and educational meetings for the first 26 weeks, after which they were instructed to continue caloric restriction diets, engage in 60 to 90 minutes of daily physical activity, and attend monthly group meetings for an additional 26 weeks.

Results: At baseline, NPS was mild in 61% (n=28), moderate in 30% (n=14), and severe in 9% (n=4), whereas ODI was moderate in 48% (n=22), severe in 17% (n=8), and crippling in 4% (n=2). At Week 14 (n=42; 92% follow-up), there were significant improvements in NPS (p=.001) and ODI (p=.0005), and significant weight loss (p<.0001). At Week 53 (n=28; 61% follow-up), there was a trend toward improvement in NPS (p=.07), significant improvement in ODI (p=.0009), and significant weight loss (p=.0005); reduction in BMI was significantly associated with clinically important improvements in ODI (p=.046).

Conclusions: This pilot prospective cohort study suggests that a 52-week multidisciplinary, medically supervised, nonsurgical weight loss program in obese patients with LBP improved both pain and function.