Effects of an eight-week physical exercise program on low back pain and function in fruit workers: A randomized controlled trial

• Published in: Journal of back and musculoskeletal rehabilitation 2024-01, Vol.37 (3), p.733-742
• Main Authors: Passos, Muana Hiandra Pereira dos, Pícon, Sol Patrícia Beltrán, Batista, Gabriel de Amorim, Nascimento, Vinícius Yan Santos, Oliveira, Felipe Augusto da Silva, Locks, Francisco, Pitangui, Ana Carolina Rodarti, de Araújo, Rodrigo Cappato
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Back pain; Clinical trials; Exercise; Low back pain; Workers
• ISSN: 1053-8127; 1878-6324; 1878-6324
• DOI: 10.3233/BMR-230201

BACKGROUND: Low back pain is prevalent in workers’ health and functional performance. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of a physical exercise program on low back pain and disability in fruit workers. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial assigned 44 workers (37 ± 9 years) to two groups. The experimental group consisted of 10 men and 12 women with an average age of 38 ( ± 9) years, and the control group consisted of 8 men and 14 women with an average age of 36 ( ± 10) years. The experimental group (EG) performed a program of strength and flexibility exercises for eight weeks, twice a week. The control group (CG) received minimal care, with a booklet with guidelines for performing exercises. The primary outcomes included changes in perceived disability and the intensity of pain evaluated by the Rolland-Morris questionnaire and the Numerical Pain Scale, respectively. All outcomes were measured at baseline and after eight weeks of intervention. RESULTS: A significant difference was observed in the within-group analysis, with a mean reduction in pain intensity in the EG and CG of - 4.55 (95%CI - 7.01 to - 2.09) and - 3.81 (95%CI 1.72–5.90), respectively. For disability, a reduction of - 4.45 (95% CI - 8.89 to - 0.02) was observed in the EG and of - 4.43 ( - 7.38 to - 1.48) in the CG. There were no significant differences in the between-groups analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The exercise program was not superior to using the educational booklet. However, both interventions showed substantial decreases in pain and disability levels.