Walking Away From Back Pain, One Step at a Time

Specific objectives of the study are:

• To determine perceived levels of disability and baseline levels of walking activity in a sample of those with chronic low back pain (CLBP)
• To determine the uptake and adherence to a pedometer-driven walking program for people with CLBP
• To test the clinical and cost-effectiveness of a walking programme to improve outcomes for CLBP compared to a standardized back care education package
• To test the feasibility of a walking programme in a sub-sample of rural Saskatchewan farmers/agricultural workers.

Inclusion criteria

• males and females aged 18 years or over,
• experiencing low back pain (i.e. between the 12th costal margin and gluteal fold with or without associated leg pain) persisting for a minimum of three months, and
• assessed as capable of participating in a walking programme.

Exclusion criteria

• any spinal surgery in the past 12 months;
• evidence of nerve root, spinal cord, or cauda equina compression;
• severe spinal stenosis indicated by signs of neurogenic claudication, grade 3 to 4 spondylolisthesis, fibromyalgia, or systemic/inflammatory disorder;
• as well as any other current lower extremity musculoskeletal injury or contraindication to increasing physical activity (PA) levels.

The latter may include:

• any cardiorespiratory or other medical condition limiting exercise tolerance;
• history of serious psychological or psychiatric illness (mild depression eligible for inclusion); and/or
• pregnancy.