Resistance Exercise, Disability, and Pain Catastrophizing in Obese Adults with Back Pain

• Published in: Medicine and science in sports and exercise Vol. 46; no. 9; pp. 1693 - 1701
• Main Authors: VINCENT, HEATHER K, GEORGE, STEVEN Z, SEAY, AMANDA N, VINCENT, KEVIN R, HURLEY, ROBERT W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hagerstown, MD American College of Sports Medicine 01-09-2014; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biological and medical sciences; Catastrophization - etiology; Chronic Pain - complications; Chronic Pain - psychology; Chronic Pain - rehabilitation; Diagnostic Self Evaluation; Disability Evaluation; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Exercise Therapy - adverse effects; Fear; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gait; Human physiology applied to population studies and life conditions. Human ecophysiology; Humans; Low Back Pain - complications; Low Back Pain - psychology; Low Back Pain - rehabilitation; Male; Medical sciences; Metabolic diseases; Middle Aged; Miscellaneous. Osteoarticular involvement in other diseases; Obesity; Obesity - complications; Obesity - psychology; Pain Measurement; Resistance Training - methods; Self Report; Vertebrates: body movement. Posture. Locomotion. Flight. Swimming. Physical exercise. Rest. Sports; Walking; Human; Physical exercise; Obesity; Physical training; Lumbar spine; Low back pain; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Nutrition disorder; RESISTANCE TRAINING; Spine disease; Disability; Resistance; Pain; Dorsalgia; Rachialgia; Dorsal spine; Adult; Lumbar; Nutritional status
• ISSN: 0195-9131; 1530-0315; 1530-0315
• DOI: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000000294

PURPOSEThe purpose of this study was to compare the effects of two different resistance exercise protocols on self-reported disability, fear avoidance beliefs, pain catastrophizing, and back pain symptoms in obese, older adults with low back pain (LBP).
METHODSObese adults (n = 49, 60–85 yr) with chronic LBP were randomized into a total body resistance exercise intervention (TOTRX), lumbar extensor exercise intervention (LEXT), or a control group (CON). Main outcomes included perceived disability (Oswestry Disability Index, Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire). Psychosocial measures included the Fear Avoidance Beliefs survey, Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia, and Pain Catastrophizing Scale. LBP severity was measured during three functional taskswalking, stair climbing, and chair rise using an 11-point numerical pain rating scale.
RESULTSThe TOTRX group had greater reductions in self-reported disability scores due to back pain (Oswestry Disability Index, Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire) compared with those in the LEXT (P < 0.05). The Pain Catastrophizing Scale scores decreased in the TOTRX group compared with that in the CON group by month 4 (64.3% vs 4.8%, P < 0.05). Pain severity during chair rise activity and walking was decreased in both the LEXT and TOTRX groups relative to the CON group.
CONCLUSIONSGreater reductions in perceived disability due to LBP can be achieved with TOTRX compared with those achieved with LEXT. Pain catastrophizing and pain severity decreased most with TOTRX. The positive change in psychological outlook may assist obese, older adults with chronic back pain in reconsidering the harmfulness of the pain and facilitate regular participation in other exercise programs.