Does physical activity levels have effect on pain in patients undergoing physical therapy? A survey study

• Published in: Spormetre Beden Eğitimi ve Spor Bilimleri Dergisi Vol. 16; no. 2; pp. 237 - 244
• Main Authors: Koz,Mitat, Akalan,Cengiz, Taşkın,Gülşen, Gülşen,Mustafa, Ümit Yemişci,Oya
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ankara Üniversitesi Spor Bilimleri Fakültesi 01-02-2018
• Subjects: Spor; Ankara; Türkiye; pain; physical therapy; Osteoarthritis; physical activity
• ISSN: 1304-284X; 2717-6347
• DOI: 10.1501/Sporm_0000000369

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of current physical activity levels on pain in patients included in a physical therapy program for various musculoskeletal diseases. The data were collected from 250 patients aged 35 to 65 years who were included in a physical therapy program, and diagnosed as cervical or lumbar spondylosis, lumbar or cervical herniated nucleus pulposus, carpal tunnel syndrome and gonarthrosis, Pain was assessed with visual analog scale (VAS) and physical activity was measured with a Physical Activity Assessment Questionnaire (PAAQ) and categorized based on metabolic equivalent value minutes per week (MET, min/weeks). Our results showed that physical activity levels were low in the majority of the cases and it was found that physical activity levels had no effect on pain. Male patients consumed more energy at workplace while female patients spent more energy in the household. It was found that gonarthrosis, obesity, being retirement or a housewife, and advanced age had negative effect on physical activity levels. Patients’ physical activity levels must be increased without arising pain and weight control should be implemented.