2. Graded Activity for Low Back Pain Reduced Lost Work Days
Researchers in the Netherlands found that a program of graded exercises for low back pain reduced the number of days lost from work more than "usual care" for work-related low back pain (Article, p. 77). Participants randomized to the graded activity program missed 58 days of work during the six-month follow-up period compared to 87 days in the usual-care group. Participants in the activity group exercised under the supervision of physical therapists who insisted that they complete exercises despite pain, graphed progress to provide positive reinforcement and set their own return-to-work dates. An editorial writer commends the program, particularly for its philosophy that patients should function despite pain, but says "we need to know much more about back pain if we are to devise more powerful treatments." (Editorial, p. 142.)
Annals of Internal Medicine is published by the American College of Physicians, an organization of more than 115,000 internal medicine physicians and medical students. These highlights are not intended to substitute for articles as sources of information. For an embargoed fax of an article, call 1-800-523-1546, ext. 2656, or 215-351-2656.
Annals of Internal Medicine