Assessment of a Biofeedback Program to Treat Chronic Low Back Pain

ABSTRACT.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of a biofeedback treatment program on pain and quality of life in patients with chronic low back pain [CLBP] using a controlled, randomized, single-blinded study. Low back pain is a common affliction that affects up to 80 percent of the adult population. Several interventions, such as biofeedback, have been found to be helpful in the rehabilitation of patients with CLBP.

Methods: Sixty patients with CLBP were randomly assigned to control and treatment groups and were instructed to take analgesics, if necessary. The treatment group participated for eight weeks in a program that included relaxation and exercises to strengthen abdominal muscles, with or without biofeedback, and cognitive restructuring techniques. Results were measured using the visual analog scale [VAS], the Roland—Morris Questionnaire, the Schober Index, Beck's Depression Inventory, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and electromagnetic levels for abdominal and paraspinal muscles.

Results: The mean VAS score decreased from 5.88 to 4.76 in the control group. In the treatment group, the VAS score decreased from 4.79 to 3.35. In the control group, the score for the Roland—Morris Disability Questionnaire varied from 12.57 to 8.16 and in the treatment group, from 9.97 to 5.31. No statistically significant difference was observed. As for other variables also assessed, no statistically significant difference was observed between groups.

Conclusions: We conclude that our treatment program did not lessen pain, improve quality of life or anxiety in patients with CLBP, or change paraspinal muscle toning during abdominal contraction.

KEYWORDS. :

• Low back pain
• biofeedback
• spine
• cognitive behavior therapy