Posture-focused self-management programme improves pain and function in older people with chronic low back pain: a randomised controlled trial

Background/Aims Chronic non-specific low back pain is one of the most prevalent and therapeutically challenging conditions that affect older people. The aim of this study was to verify the effects of a posture-focused self-management programme in pain and disability in older people in the community living with chronic non-specific low back pain. Methods Attendees of two community centres for older people were selected and randomised into an experimental group (n=42) and a control group (n=31). The experimental group received a posture-focused self-management programme. The control group received simple advice with a self-care leaflet. Dependent variables were: pain intensity, functional capacity related to low back pain, and frequency of medication use for low back pain. Results For intergroup analysis, a significant difference was observed for all variables (P=0.001) with large effect size for pain intensity and functional capacity related to low back pain (effect size=0.65) and moderate effect for frequency of medication use for low back pain (effect size=0.46). Conclusions The results of the posture-focused self-management programme demonstrate efficacy in reducing pain and disability in older people with chronic non-specific low back pain.