Occupational Physical Activity Was Associated With Disability Levels at 6-Month Follow-Up of Patients With Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain: A Prospective Cohort Study

Author(s)

Hisamatsu, Thalysi M. ; Oliveira, Crystian B. ; Lira, Fabio S. ; Morelhao, Priscila K. ; Azevedo, Bruna R. ; Lemes, Italo R. ; Franco, Marcia R. ; Pinto, Rafael Z.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY & HEALTH; v. 19, n. 6, p. 8-pg., 2022-06-01.

Abstract

Background: Physical activity plays an important role in the prognosis of chronic low back pain (LBP); however, whether physical activity predicts pain intensity and disability remains unknown. This study investigated whether objective and subjective physical activity measures predict pain intensity and disability levels 6 months later in patients with chronic LBP. Methods: Patients with chronic LBP seeking care at 2 outpatient physiotherapy clinics were recruited. At baseline assessment, we collected anthropometric/sociodemographic data, duration of symptoms, pain intensity, disability, and physical activity (accelerometer and questionnaire). After 6 months, we reassessed pain and disability. Multivariable regression analyses were performed to investigate the association of physical activity measures with pain and disability at follow-up. Results: A total of 179 patients with chronic LBP were included. High occupational physical activity at baseline predicted disability at 6-month follow-up (B = 1.22; 95% confidence interval, 0.21 to 2.21) after controlling for age and baseline disability, meaning that for every 1-point increase in occupational physical activity, disability increased on average by 1.22 point. The remaining physical activity measures showed no association with pain intensity or disability at follow-up. Conclusion: Higher perceived levels of occupational physical activity predicted higher disability levels at 6-month follow-up in patients with chronic LBP. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 20/04877-8 - Impact of interleukin-6 receptor blockade on acute response to exercise on insulin sensitivity and muscle glucose uptake in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Grantee: Ítalo Ribeiro Lemes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 16/04113-2 - Role of different physical activity domain to predict clinical outcome in pacients with low back pain
• Grantee: Thalysi Mayumi Hisamatsu
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master