Effect of an Aquatic Exercise Program in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain
- Conditions
- Diagnostic ImagingMuscle AtrophyChronic Low-back PainExercise Therapy
- Interventions
- Other: Aquatic TherapyOther: Standard Care
- Registration Number
- NCT05823857
- Lead Sponsor
- Concordia University, Montreal
- Brief Summary
The goal of this pilot randomized controlled trial is to compare the effects of aquatic therapy versus standard care on paraspinal and gluteal morphology and function in individuals with chronic low back pain.The main questions it aims to answer are:
1. What are the effects of aquatic therapy versus standard care on a) paraspinal and gluteal muscle size, composition (e.g., fatty infiltration) and b) lumbar and gluteal muscle strength in individuals with chronic LBP?
2. Is aquatic therapy more effective than standard care to improve pain, function and psychological factors (e.g., kinesiophobia, catastrophizing, anxiety, and depression)?
3. Is using a digital application "play the pain" feasible to monitor pain levels and the activities that participants used to cope with pain?
Participants will be assigned to either the aquatic therapy group or standard care group where they will undergo a 10-week intervention including two 60-minute session per week.
- Detailed Description
Not available
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- RECRUITING
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 30
- chronic nonspecific LBP (>3 months), defined as pain in the region between the lower ribs and gluteal folds, with or without leg pain
- currently seeking care for LBP
- aged between 18 and 65 years old
- English or French speakers
- have a score of "moderate" or "severe" disability on the modified Oswestry Low Back Questionnaire
- do not currently engaged in sports or fitness training specifically for the lower back muscles (3 months prior the beginning of the trial).
- evidence of nerve root compression or reflex motor signs deficits
- previous spinal surgery or vertebral fractures
- other major lumbar spine structural abnormalities
- comorbid health conditions that would prevent active participation in exercise programs
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- PARALLEL
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description Aquatic Therapy Aquatic Therapy Aquatic exercise program including trunk stabilization, upper body, lower body strengthening and flexibility exercises and aerobic conditioning. Supervised 10-week program, 2 times a week. Standard Care Standard Care Standard care program including strengthening, flexibility, aerobic conditioning, modalities and manual mobilization techniques. Supervised 10-week program, 2 times a week.
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Change in multifidus muscle size (cross-sectional area) in cm^2 Baseline, 10-week Multifidus muscle cross-sectional area measurements will be obtained from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Change in gluteal muscle size (cross-sectional area) in cm^2 Baseline, 10-week Gluteal muscle cross-sectional area measurements will be obtained from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Percent change in multifidus muscle fatty infiltration in Baseline, 10-week Multifidus muscle fatty infiltration (composition) measurements will be obtained from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Percent change in gluteal muscle fatty infiltration Baseline, 10-week Gluteal muscle fatty infiltration (composition) measurements will be obtained from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Point score change in12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) Baseline, 10-week The 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) is the condensed form of the previous 36-item SF-12 Survey. The SF-12 is used to assess health-related quality of life. The 12-item survey consists of 8 domains that assess both physical and mental health composite scores (PCS and MCS). While the SF-12 is weighted and summed to provide a score for both the PCS and MCS. The score of the 12 questions can range from 0 (worst level of health) to 100 (highest level of health).
Point score change in The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) Baseline, 10-week The IPAQ is a self-reported log of metabolic equivalent (MET)-minutes per week. The level of physical activity is rated either vigorous, moderate, walking and sitting and must be assigned to the right category. The number of minutes per category is then added up and assessed.
Point score change in Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Index (ODI) score Baseline, 10-week The ODI is used to measure the patient's level of disability in relation to LBP. It is a 10-item scale where each item is rated from 0-6. Higher scores are indicative of greater disability.
Point score change in Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) Baseline, 10-week The ISI is a 7-item questionnaire used to assess sleep disturbances. Each item is rated from 0 to 4 and the total score is added. Higher scores are indicative of greater sleep disturbances.
Point score change in The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) Baseline, 10-week The HADS is a 14-item questionnaire used to assess a patient's level of depression and anxiety. Each item is rated from 0-3 with either depression or anxiety having scores between 0 and 21. Higher scores are indicative of greater levels of anxiety and depression.
Point score change in Visual Numerical pain rating scale (NPR) Baseline, 10-week The NPR for pain is a rating system from 0 to 10 with 0 being no pain and 10 worst pain imaginable.
Point score change in Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK) Baseline, 10-week The TSK measures pain-related fear in an individual through a 13-item scale. The scores range between 17 and 68 with increasing scores indicating a greater level of kinesiophobia.
Point score change in The Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) Baseline, 10-week The PCS is a 13-item questionnaire that assesses an individual's level of catastrophizing. Each item is rated from 0-4 for a possible total of 52. Higher scores are indicative of a greater level of catastrophizing.
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
PERFORM Centre
🇨🇦Montréal, Quebec, Canada