Monash University, Australia, based study has revealed progressive run-walking interval training programme, provided independently and supplemented through digital communication reduces pain and disability in chronic low back pain (LBP) adults, safe for participants.
The pain intensity and physical function of the program demonstrated constructive changes within 12 weeks with encouraging signs of running for those who may have been fearful of running in the past due to lack of precise information about injury. The study shows that such thoughts might actually go against proper pain control.
Low back pain in particular is a long-standing problem as Croft noted elaborating that the burden of worldwide chronic low back pain is 7.5 percent and it has a high YLDs. Current modalities of management of LBP involve non-pharmacological approaches, especially exercise to minimise pain and enhance the physical activity, whilst there is scant literature on the possibility of running in the management of this condition.
Although LBP has been a concern with respect to running, recreational run has been associated with a decrease in back pain and healthier spine. This study was therefore designed to establish the possibility of operationalizing this relationship in the treatment of people with NSCLBP.
Prior studies on HIAE in LBP have examined exclusively cycling interventions albeit not to the same intensity as in the present work, whilst other exercises such as running have proven inconclusive.
The current study, titled “Running is acceptable and efficacious in adults with non-specific chronic low back pain: Intervention in the form of a run–walk intervention for adults with CLBP has been tested in detail in a randomised controlled trial called the ASTEROID study recently published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, making it useful in comparing the efficacy and acceptability of the presented form of intervention against a control group.
The outcomes revealed that the assessment of the interventional group yielded substantial functional improvement on pain and disability. Perceived average pain in the trial dropped by 15.3 points using the validated 0 to 100 Visual Analog Scale average of pain as well as the current pain level of 19.35.Supervised training compliance was high: participants attended 70% of the recommended sessions, or two of the three sessions per week.
None of the participants in the study dropped out, suggesting that they settled for an acceptable and feasible program.This indicates that with the right cues, the run-walk program may be a safe, cheap and accessible means of exercising for the adult with chronic LBP, or at least a starting point.
Reference: Jackson J. Research supports run–walk interval training as a way to reduce chronic low back painÂ
