Responsiveness of pain, functional capacity tests, and disability level in individuals with chronic nonspecific low back pain.
Prasert Sakulsriprasert, Roongtiwa Vachalathiti, Pathaimas Kingcha
PMID 32489236WHAT IT FOUND
Pain scores changed most after two weeks of therapy for chronic low back pain.
The five-time sit-to-stand test also changed noticeably. But the functional reach and step tests barely budged. Disability scores improved less than expected. These tests may need longer to show real progress.
Key findings
01Pain measures (NPRS and VAS) showed the largest changes after two weeks, followed by the five-time sit-to-stand test.
02The functional reach test and two-minute step test showed small to moderate changes, suggesting they may not detect short-term improvement.
03Disability scores improved, but less than in previous studies of acute low back pain, indicating slower recovery in chronic cases.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The study was very small, with only twenty participants. The two-week timeframe was too short to detect changes in dynamic balance and endurance. The exercise program did not include specific training for balance or endurance, which may explain why those tests did not improve. Researchers only looked at internal changes, not how these tests compare to other external measures of recovery.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume the lack of change in the functional reach and step tests means the patient is not improving. These tests may simply be insensitive to short-term gains, especially since the two-week program did not include specific balance or endurance training.