ABSTRACT

Objectives:

Back school therapy is a simply applicable method in patients with chronic low back pain and also has an important role in treatment outcomes. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of the back school therapy on pain, mobility and quality of life in patients with chronic mechanical low back pain.

Methods:

Eighty-three patients were enrolled in the study. Demographic properties of the patients were recorded. Pain levels of the patients were investigated by Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The spinal mobilities (lumbar Schober, hand-finger-foot distance) were measured, and functional impairment scale (Oswestry back pain impairment scale) was determined. While the back school therapy program was applied in the study group, only home exercise therapy was given to the control group.

Results:

No difference was present between groups at the beginning of the study. At the follow-up visits in the 1st and 3rd months, statistically significant progress was determined in the study group with respect to mobility, pain and Oswestry scores.

Conclusion:

This study showed that the back school therapy program should be a part of treatment in patients with low back pain.