Effect of Backward Walking In addition To Conventional Therapy On Back Function In patients With Mechanical Low Back Pain

Background: Mechanical low back pain (LBP) is one of the major cause of illness and disability, especially in people of working age, in which there is deformation of structures containing nociceptive nerve endings and having direct correlation between certain body positions and the patient’s symptoms. Individuals with mechanical low back pain usually present with limited low back range of motion (ROM) and reduced flexibility thus resulting in limitation in their function. Aim of most of the therapeutic interventions for mechanical back pain is to achieve pain relief, adequate flexibility and improve ROM of the spine.

NEED FOR STUDY

The source of symptoms in mechanical LBP is not completely understood. This increases the complexity of the diagnosis and also poses as a challenge for treatment of mechanical LBP. The current treatment techniques employed by physical therapists to manage mechanical LBP include various electrotherapeutic modalities, thermotherapy, mobilizations, manipulations, stretching, orthotics, posture correction, ergonomics followed by introduction of light exercises[10, 25-29]. Beyond the success of these physical therapy interventions there is still a lack of integrated treatment modalities for further progression. Backward walking can possibly bridge this gap and thus help in improving function in patients with mechanical low back pain. Despite the above findings backward walking, has not received a thorough scientific analysis with respect to its effectiveness in reducing pain and improving function and low back ROM in patients with mechanical LBP. Therefore, in this study we intend to examine whether treadmill backward walking in addition to conventional therapy can reduce low back pain and improve overall back function in patients with mechanical LBP.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

AIM To study the effect of backward walking in addition to conventional therapy on pain, low back ROM and overall back function in patients with mechanical low back pain. OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study are to examine the following in patients with mechanical LBP: 1) the effectiveness of backward walking i.e Experimental group on pain intensity, low back ROM (coronal and sagittal plane) and overall back function 2) the effectiveness of conventional therapy i.e Control group on pain intensity, low back ROM and overall back function 3) to compare the findings of both the groups. RESEARCH QUESTION Does treadmill backward walking have an additional effect on pain, low back ROM and overall back function in patients with mechanical low back pain?

HYPOTHESIS AND NULL HYPOTHESIS HYPOTHESIS Treadmill backward walking intervention in addition to conventional therapy will have a beneficial effect on overall back function in patients with mechanical LBP. NULL HYPOTHESIS Treadmill backward walking intervention along with conventional therapy will not have any additional effect on overall back function in patients with mechanical LBP.

RESULTS

The results of this study indicate that backward walking along with conventional therapy has shown statistically significant reduction in LBP and improvement in back function as compared to conventional therapy alone.

CONCLUSION

The present study concluded that -Backward walking is effective in relieving pain, improving function and increasing low back ROM in patients with mechanical low back pain. -Conventional therapy is effective in relieving pain, improving function and increasing low back ROM in patients with mechanical low back pain. -However, treadmill backward walking in addition to conventional therapy has shown better effects than conventional therapy alone in alleviating pain and improving overall back function in patients with mechanical low back pain.