YOga for Patients with Chronic BACK Pain and Poor PROgnosis

Launched by FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF MINAS GERAIS · Jul 12, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying whether yoga, combined with educational classes, can help reduce pain and disability in patients with chronic low back pain who are at high risk for ongoing issues. The researchers want to see if participating in a 3-month yoga program is more effective than just attending educational classes alone. The trial will involve 110 patients aged 65 to 74 who report ongoing back pain for at least three months and have a specific score indicating a high risk of poor outcomes.

To participate, individuals must have chronic low back pain and meet certain criteria, such as experiencing an average pain level of at least 3 out of 10. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the yoga group, which includes two yoga sessions each week and three educational classes, or the control group, which will only attend the educational classes. Throughout the study, researchers will assess participants' pain and disability levels to see how well the yoga program works. It's important to note that those with serious medical conditions, previous spine surgeries, or other specific health issues will not be eligible to join the trial.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • report chronic nonspecific LBP, defined as pain and discomfort localized below the costal margin and above the inferior gluteal folds, with or without leg pain and of at least 3 months' duration.
• • score ≥ 50 points (out of 100) in the Orebro Musculoskeletal Pain Questionnaire.
• • have an average back pain intensity of 3 points or more on a 0-10 numerical pain rating scale.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • serious spine pathology (e.g. tumors, fractures, and inflammatory diseases).
• • nerve root compromise (i.e. at least 2 of the following signs: weakness, reflex change, or sensation loss associated with the same spinal nerve).
• • previos spinal surgery.
• • pregnancy or having given birth within the previous 3 months.
• • any medical condition that prevented being physically active (e.g., serious cardiovascular, kidney or neurological diseases).
• • any other musculoskeletal condition that may affect activity and movement participation in a Yoga program during the last year.
• • not currently receiving other physical activity-based intervention (e.g., Pilates, physical therapy, aquatic exercise).
• • inadequate Portuguese literacy for the study's questionnaires and instructions.