Return to self-reported physical activity level after an event of acute low back pain

Abstract

Background Regular physical activity participation is known to promote better mobility and coordination. Although previous research has established that lack of physical activity participation may increase the risk of developing low back pain, the role of physical activity as a predictor of recovery among symptomatic individuals remains unclear. Objective To evaluate whether: (i) the level of physical activity participation before an acute episode of low back pain predicts recovery within 12 months following the acute pain episode (i.e. index episode); and (ii) participants return to their pre-pain level of physical activity participation 12 months from the index episode. Design This study used longitudinal data from the TRIGGERS case-crossover study. Setting This study was conducted through over-the-phone interviews to participants that presented to 300 primary care clinics with a new episode of acute low back pain. Participants This study included 999 consecutive patients, aged 18 years or older. Follow-up assessment was completed at 12 months following the index episode. Methods This is a cohort study where consecutive patients, aged 18 years or older, that presented with a new episode of acute low back pain were recruited between October 2011 and November 2012. Main outcome measurements Self-reported level of physical activity participation. Results A total of 830 participants completed the study. When comparing participants who reported pain at 12 months follow-up with those without pain, all participants reported similar levels of physical activity participation one week before (p = 0.449), one week after (p = 0.812) and 12 months after the index episode (p = 0.233). The level of physical activity participation before the index episode was not a reliable predictor of presence of pain at either 3 or 12 months follow-up (OR 0.99; 95% CI 0.993 to 1.003; p = 0.523 and OR 1; 95% CI 0.992 to 1.008; p = 0.923, respectively). Conclusion Physical activity participation did not predict recovery from the pain episode. Also all participants returned to their pre-pain level of physical activity participation after 12 months.