Impact of Specific Training for Fear Avoidance Beliefs Training onPatients with Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain

Abstract

Background: Fear-avoidance beliefs (FAB) are related to disability, postural stability, and chronicity of low back pain. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of specific training for FAB on postural stability, disability, pain, abdominal and back muscle endurance, and FAB in patients with non-specific chronic low back pain (NCLBP).

Methods: In this queasy experimental study, 51 subjects (27 females and 24 males) with NCLBP were evaluated. Pain intensity, FAB and disability were measured using questionnaires and Postural stability was measured using force plate. Abdominal and back muscle endurance were measured respectively by sit up and Sorensen tests. All the tests were repeated one week and one month after a short-term specific training for FAB. Mixed model repeated measure test was used to compare variables before and after intervention and to evaluate the relation of changes in FAB and pain intensity with changes in parameter of postural stability.

Results: After the intervention, pain intensity, FAB score, and disability score decreased significantly, the time of sit up, Sorensen and single leg stance tests increased significantly. Center of pressure (COP) excursion and velocity decreased significantly but they were not related to FAB significantly.

Conclusion: Specific training for FAB resulted in decreasing pain intensity, FAB and disability scores and improved postural stability as well as increasing the time of sit up, Sorensen and single leg stance tests in patients with CLBP.