Assessment of pain in patients with chronic low back pain before and after application of the isostreching method

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic low back pain is defined as a painful disorder located between the first and the fifth lumbar vertebra and it is considered to be an important public health problem. In Brazil, approximately 10 million people are disabled as a result of this condition. Objective: To assess pain intensity and functional disability in patients with chronic low back pain before and after application of the Isostreching method. Case studies and methods: In this randomized, controlled experimental trial, 14 female individuals with chronic low back pain, aged 45-60 years, divided into control group (CG) and experimental group (EG), with 7 individuals each, twelve 45-minute sessions were held, in which 9 postures of Isostreching method were carried out in the experimental group. The control group did not undergo intervention. A sociodemographic questionnaire, the visual analogue pain scale (VAS) and the Oswestry disability questionnaire were used before and after the study period in both groups. Results: The assessment of pain and disability in the preevaluation period showed no statistically significant difference, whereas scores of pain and disability in the post-evaluation period between the two groups showed a statistically significant difference. The CG also showed no statistical difference for the VAS and Oswestry scores between the pre- and post-evaluation periods, in which it was observed an increase in the pain and disability mean scores between those periods and the experimental group showed significant difference between the scores obtained in these two different periods, before and after collection. Conclusion: it is suggested that the method was effective for the group studied and proved to be suitable for the treatment of chronic low back pain.