A Preliminary Study of the Objective Measurement of Compliance Rates for Semirigid Lumbar-Support Use in Patients with Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain: How Important Is the Compliance Rate?.
10.4184/asj.2017.11.5.748
- Author:
Maryam HEKMATFARD
1
;
Mohammad Ali SANJARI
;
Nader MAROUFI
;
Hassan SAEEDI
;
Esmail EBRAHIMI
;
Hamid BEHTASH
Author Information
1. Department of Orthotics and Prosthetics, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Chronic nonspecific low back pain;
Lumbar supports;
Compliance;
Wearing time;
Temperature logger
- MeSH:
Compliance*;
Holidays;
Humans;
Low Back Pain*;
Pilot Projects
- From:Asian Spine Journal
2017;11(5):748-755
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
STUDY DESIGN: Clinical pilot study. PURPOSE: To objectively evaluate the compliance rate of lumbar-support use in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain, as well as to assess low back pain intensity, disability, and fear-avoidance beliefs. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Wearing time is an important factor in the assessment of the efficacy of lumbar-support use in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain. Previous studies have measured lumbar-support wearing time based on subjective assessment, and these evaluations are not easily verifiable and are usually overestimated by subjects. METHODS: Twelve subjects with chronic nonspecific low back pain who had been wearing semirigid lumbar supports for 6 weeks were evaluated. Compliance was objectively monitored using temperature sensors integrated into the semirigid lumbar supports. Subjects wore their lumbar supports for 8 hour/day on workdays and 3 hour/day on holidays during the first 3 weeks. During the next 3 weeks, subjects were gradually weaned off the lumbar supports. Pain intensity was measured using a numerical rating scale. The Oswestry disability index was used to assess the subjects' disability. Fear-avoidance behavior was evaluated using a fear-avoidance beliefs questionnaire. RESULTS: The mean compliance rate of the subjects was 78.16%±13.9%. Pain intensity was significantly lower in patients with a higher compliance rate (p=0.001). Disability index and fear-avoidance beliefs (functional outcomes) significantly improved during the second 3-weeks period of the treatment (p<0.001, p=0.02, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The compliance rate of patients wearing lumbar supports is a determining factor in chronic low back pain management. Wearing semirigid lumbar supports, as advised, was associated with decreased pain intensity, improved disability index scores, and improved fear-avoidance beliefs in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain.
