Effectiveness Of Moderate Exercise With Devices During Inpatient Rehabilitation In Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain

Aim: To show the influence of strength endurance training with devices on spine moility and isometirc maximal strength (IMS) of trunk and back muscles in patients with chronic low back pain (LBP) during inpatient rehabilitation.Patients and methods: Mobilily and IMS were measured in every movement direction at the beginning and the end of a rehabilitation program in 83 patients (mean age: 42 +/- 10 years: mean duration: 15.6 +/- 4.2 days). In addition socio-demographic factors were analysed in a descriptive manner using means. standard deviations, frequencies and 95%-confidence intervals.Results: At the beginning, the EMS was reduced in every movement direction compared to reference data. Most, affected was the lateral flexion on both sides. Mobility in the frontal and transversal planes was quite good (90% resp. 115% of the reference values). At the end of rehabilitation. IMS as well as spine mobility had improved significantly (p < 0.05). In detail, mobility was 3 degrees-9 degrees higher and IMS 17%-43% in the different directions of movement.Discussion: In patients with LBP, spine mobility and LMS could be improved significantly even if the patients were untrained in using devices and the training period was short, as it generally is in the setting of inpatient rehabilitation.