The Efficacy of Active Exercise Programs for Work-Related Chronic Low Back Pain

직업성 만성요통에 대한 능동적 운동프로그램의 효과

The purpose of present study is to examine the relative efficacy of active exercise programs for work-related chronic low back pain and to figure out how much they affect mechanical stability of lumbar. Subjects are 43 employees with work-related chronic low hack pain, and they were randomly divided into two groups with general physiotherapy groups and thoracic exercise groups for increasing thoracic mobility. Active exercise programs were done 3 times a week, for 6 months, and the subjects were tested for Pain intensity(VAS), the Oswestry Disability Index, Maximal stretching with both hands in the overhead direction and the lumbar region angle of inclination. All subjects were reassessed with same measurement with Pre-study and 6 months after study After applying active exercise programs, pain intensity didn't show any significant difference between two groups. The Oswestry Disability Index showed significant difference between two groups and thoracic exercise groups decreased significantly compare to general physiotherapy group(p<0.05). Maximal stretching with both hands in the overhead direction showed significant difference between two groups and thoracic exercise group increased significantly more than general physiotherapy groups(p<0.05). The lumbar region angle of inclination showed significant difference between two groups and thoracic exercise group decreased significantly more than general physiotherapy groups (p<0.05). According to the results above, exercise for increasing thoracic mobility has an effect on lumbar stability. For the work-related chronic lower hack pain workers, it is far more effective for lumbar stabilization than general physiotherapy.