Longitudinal evaluation of Posture School for low back pain by the questionnaires Rolland Morris and Short Form Health Survey (SF-36)

Abstract

The objective of this study was to analyze quantitatively the response of patients with chronic low back pain to treatment at the Back School in DMR-HCFMUSP between October 2001 and July 2004, using the Roland-Morris (RM) and Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaires. Pain intensity was measured by the visual analogue scale (VAS). The initial sample consisted of 244 medical charts of patients referred to the Back School program for initial evaluation between October 2001 and July 2004; of this initial sample, 110 patients completed the program. Data were collected from these patients such as: etiologic diagnosis, history of disease and referring institution; socio-demographic information such as gender, age, education level, marital status, occupation, and also attendance to clinical interviews scheduled for the first and fourth months after treatment and one year after the first evaluation. The group that completed the Back School Program showed improvement at SF-36 domains: Functional Capacity, Physical Conditions, Pain, General Health Status, Strength, as well as in VAS and RM evaluations. No statistically significant changes in Social, Emotional, and Mental domains were observed. The Back Pain School allowed fewer changes regarding affective emotional conditions and social relationships. Further qualitative and quantitative studies must be carried out in other to support the development of specialized multiprofessional teams, who will carry out alterations and add to therapeutic resources, if necessary.