Evaluation of Isostretching Effects in Patients With Mechanical and Postural Chronic Low Back Pain

Objective: This study investigated the influence of isostretching on patients with chronic low back pain. Methods: It was a randomized, controlled trial with concealed allocation, intention-to-treat analysis, and blind assessment. Fifty-four patients with chronic low back pain were randomized to an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group performed isostretching twice a week for 45 days, while the control group remained on the waiting list for physical therapy. Patients were submitted to evaluations at baseline, after 20 and 45 days of treatment with regard to pain, quality of life, functional capacity, and satisfaction. Results: The experimental group exhibited statistically significant improvements in comparison to the control group with regard to pain (p = .003), functional capacity (p = .026), patient satisfaction (p < .001), and quality of life as determined by the functional capacity (p = .012), physical aspects (p = .011) and pain (p = .006) subscales of the SF-36. The experimental group used a significantly lesser amount of pain medication than the control group (p = .03). Conclusion: Isostretching was effective in reducing pain and in improving function, patient satisfaction and some aspects of quality of life in patients with chronic low back pain.

Inclusion criteria

• Individuals diagnosed with chronic low back pain with pain located between the last rib and the gluteal fold over 12 weeks;
• Mechanical back pain that worsens with exertion and relieved by rest;
• Pain between 3 and 8 cm measured by analog pain scale.

Exclusion criteria

• Subjects who presented pain root
• Fibromyalgia
• Severe scoliosis with abnormal alignment of the spine (Cobb angle> 40); Tumors in the column; Infiltration in the lumbar spine in the last three months; Previous surgery of the spine (patients return to work or process expulsion)
• Have changed or initiated physical activity in the last three months
• Body mass index greater than 30 kg/m2