J Korean Acad Womens Health Nurs.  2000 Mar;6(1):117-128.

An Effect of Low Back Pain Relieving Program on the Back Muscle Strenght, Intensity of Pain, Disability Level in Elementary School Women Teacher

• Choi SY

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of low back pain relieving program on back muscle strength, intensity of pain, low back disability level in elementary school teachers who have low back pain. subjects were elementary school women teachers who worked at eight elementary school located in Seoul. Intended subjects size were seventy consist of thirty-four experimental group(three schools) and thirty-six control group(five schools), but actual subjects size was forty-four. Among the forty-four patients subjects, twenty-three were experimental group receiving health education about right postures, etiologies of low back pain, diagnosis of low back pain and exercise program composed of muscle strengthening exercise, stretching exercises and twenty-one were control group. During the 8 weeks program, the subjects were received two times education and six times group exercise practices in 1st week and three times per week group exercise practices, two times education in other 7 weeks. This study as carried out from April 1, 1999 to June 30, 1999. Back muscle strength was measured by back muscle strength measuring machine and the intensity of pain were measured by the Visual Analogue Scale(VAS), and level of disability was measured by Oswestry low back pain disability scale. Study measurements were taken before and after 8 week exercise program. Data were analyzed using paired t-test, and ANCOVA. The results were summarized as follows. 1. After low back relieving program, back muscle strength was increased significantly(p=0.000) and there was significant difference in back muscle strength change between experimental group and control group(p=0.002). 2. After low back pain relieving program, pain on anterior bending, pain on posterior bending were decreased significantly than measurements before the program(p=0.000 p=0.000) and there was significant difference in pain on anterior bending and posterior bending change between experimental group and control group(p=0.000, p=0.000). 3. After low back pain relieving program, Oswestry disability scale scores were decreased significantly(p=0.000, p=0.000) but there was no significant difference in Oswestry disability score change between experimental group and control group.

MeSH Terms

Back Muscles*
Diagnosis
Education
Exercise
Female
Health Education
Humans
Low Back Pain*
Posture
Seoul