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Restorative
Exercise for Clinical Low Back Pain: A Prospective Two-Center Study
With 1-Year Follow-Up.
Leggett S, Mooney V, Matheson LN, Nelson B, Dreisinger T, Van Zytveld
J, Vie L. Spine 1999;24:889.
Study Design. A comparison of treatment of 412 patients with chronic
back pain at two separate centers using the same treatment protocols
and outcome measures. Outcome was defined by specific strength testing;
Short Form-36 scores at intake, discharge, and 1-year follow-up; self-appraisal
of improvement at discharge and in a 1-year follow-up; and reuse of
health care services after discharge.
Objectives. To investigate the efficacy of standardized treatment
methods using isolated lumbar strength testing and strengthening based
on progressive protocols using specific equipment. Comparison of results
should clarify the effect of the treatment center versus the efficacy
of standardized protocols.
Summary of Background Data. There has been little support in
the scientific literature for exercise programs based on standardized
protocols. The use of specialized equipment to achieve intense specific
exercise also has been poorly supported. Overall health benefit has
not often been related to specific improvement in strength.
Methods. More than 400 individuals with chronic back pain were evaluated
at the initiation of treatment, discharge, and 1 year after discharge.
Measures of efficacy were based on Short Form-36 scores, self-appraisal
of improvement, and reuse of health care services after discharge.
Study participants were patients with chronic back pain consecutively
referred to each treatment site and underwritten by a variety of payers,
including workers' compensation, Medicare, and private insurance.
Results. Overall response during the course of the program and at
1-year follow-up was similar between the two centers. Similar proportions
of participants at each site demonstrated improvement in SF-36 scores,
self-appraisal of improvement, and reuse of health care services.
Conclusions: Standardized protocols using specific strength
and measurement equipment can achieve similar benefits at different
sites.
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