The Effect of Exercise Programs on Pain Management and Motor Control in Patients with Nonspecific Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Matched Subjects Trial

Backgroud: Many exercise approaches have been suggested for the treatment of nonspecific chronic low back pain. However, the best exercise approach is still unknown. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of three exercise approaches based on the Postural Restoration Institute (PRI) and National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) on the pain management and motor control of men with nonspecific chronic low back pain.

Methods: The study was designed with matched subjects. Thirty-three participants were randomly assigned to three training groups: NASM (n = 11), PRI (n = 11), and NASM-PRI integration (n = 11). Interventions: The participants in each group performed the exercise for eight weeks, three sessions per week and about one hour each session. Pain was measured using a visual analog scale (VAS) scale and functional disability using the Roland-Morris questionnaire. Also, the movement control impairment was measured by the movement control impairment test set.

Results: Repeated measures ANOVA showed no significant interaction effect between pain perception, functional disability, and movement control impairment of the groups (P >.05).

Conclusions: The findings suggest that different types of exercise rehabilitation were not significantly different on pain reduction, functional disability, and movement control impairment. It is suggested that the participant's preference for an approach should also be considered for encouraging them to adhere to exercise.