Results of an Intervention for Non-Specific Low Back Pain.

Aim of the study was to evaluate the long-term effects of interventions consisting of patient education and exercise in patients with mild non-specific low back pain who participated voluntarily in a back pain programme of the Lower Austria Health Insurance (NOGKK). 261 patients participated. A specifically designed questionnaire was applied at baseline and after 12 and 24 months. Primary outcomes were pain (average pain intensity of 7 days, measured by visual analogue scale [VAS]) and function (FFbH; Hannover questionnaire for back pain); secondary outcomes were: number of patients with sick leaves within the last year, patients with outpatient and/or inpatient treatment for low back pain, subjective assessment of impairments in leisure activities (VAS, 0-10; higher scores indicating worse condition) and in working capacity (VAS). The active programme lasted 6 weeks with weekly sessions; thereafter patients were encouraged to continue the exercises and an active life-style. Statistically significant changes were observed in pain (VAS 3.2 [baseline], 2.81, and 2.69, respectively), leisure activities (only at 12 months follow-up), and sick leaves (22.78 % [baseline], 10 %, and 11.84 %, respectively). We conclude that the voluntary participation in an intervention for low back pain results in further improvement of pain and secondary consequences of the illness, even in persons with initially low pain level and good physical function.