Motor control learning in chronic low back pain

Study Design. A randomized prospective cohort study of participants with chronic low back pain, seeking physical therapy, with follow-up at weeks 6 and 28. Effects of conventional physiotherapy and physiotherapy with the addition of postural biofeedback were compared. 

Objective. To evaluate the benefits of postural biofeedback in chronic low back pain participants. 

Summary of Background Data. Biofeedback using electromyographic signals has been used in chronic low back pain with mixed results. Postural feedback had not been previously used. 

Methods. Demographic and psychological baseline data along with range of motion were analyzed from a sample of 47 chronic participants with low back pain randomized into conventional physiotherapy with or without the addition of postural biofeedback. 

Results. After 6 months, there were 21 dropouts. The participants with biofeedback had markedly improved status in visual analog pain scales, short form-36, and range of motion. 

Conclusion. The study strongly suggests that postural feedback is a useful adjunct to conventional physiotherapy of chronic low back pain participants. Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.