December 2, 2003
Self-management Improves Course of Low Back Pain
INDIANAPOLIS - Exercise, behavior and dietary changes have a significant
impact on improving mental and physical function in low-income adults
with chronic low back pain, according to a study published in the current
issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.
Researchers led by Teresa Damush, Ph.D., assistant research scientist
at the Indiana University School of Medicine, who is also a Regenstrief
Institute, Inc. research scientist, enrolled 211 inner city residents
over age 18 in the study. The participants were predominately female (73
percent) and African-American (59 percent).
Study participants were divided into two groups, both of which continued
to see their physician for treatment of low back pain. One of the groups
participated in a self-management program. These individuals attended
weekly classes in a neighborhood health center where back-strengthening
exercises were taught to improve physical function. As importantly, the
classes were designed to teach individuals how to fit exercise into their
daily schedules.
Sessions also were conducted to teach study participants in the self-management
group coping mechanisms for negative emotions such as depression and frustration.
Dr. Damush, who is a health psychologist, said many study participants
had deep fears of disability. All participants were counseled to communicate
regularly with their physician rather than being a passive participant
in control of their pain.
"Our study showed that empowering low income adults to deal with
their pain through such self-management strategies as exercise, behavior
and dietary changes, significantly improved both mental and physical functioning.
With better mental and physical functioning individuals with low back
pain can return more quickly to work and family activities," said
Dr. Damush.
Back pain is the second most common neurological ailment after headache,
in the United States, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Acute or short-term low back pain generally lasts from a few days to a
few weeks and is caused by trauma to the lower back from work or sports
injury, accident or by disorders such as arthritis. Obesity, smoking,
stress, poor physical condition or bad posture may contribute to lower
back pain.
Americans spend at least $50 billion each year on treatment of lower
back pain, the most common cause of job-related disability.
The study, which followed participants for an entire year, was funded
by the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
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Media Contact: Cindy Fox Aisen
317-274-7722
caisen@iupui.edu
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