Personalized vs. non-personalized training for physical functioning in NSLBP: a protocol
Year: 2025
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: Background: Non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) is among the most common musculoskeletal disorders, significantly impairing physical well-being, reducing quality of life, and limiting physical functioning. Despite its considerable burden on individuals and society, the most effective, appropriate, and cost-efficient treatment strategies remain unclear. This randomized controlled trial (RCT), scheduled to commence in 2025, aims to fill this gap by investigating whether a personalized approach – specifically, a personalized physical back training program – can effectively alleviate NSLBP. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a personalized physical back training program, compared to a non-personalized physical back training program, on self-rated physical functioning in individuals with NSLBP. Methods: This RCT is part of the Lucerne Initiative for Functioning, Health and Well-being (LIFE). To be eligible, participants must have experienced activity-limiting NSLBP for at least 6 weeks. A total of 180 participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. Group 1 will receive a personalized physical back training program, with exercises selected through a clinical reasoning process. Group 2 will receive a non-personalized physical back training program, with exercises not selected through a clinical reasoning process. Both groups will perform exercises from the same set. Participants will train for 1 hour per week: 30 minutes in a mixed group session with participants from both groups, and the remaining time individually using a smartphone application. The primary outcome, self-rated physical functioning, will be measured using the Patient-Specific Functional Scale (0–100). Secondary outcomes include pain intensity (Numeric Rating Scale 0–10), health-related quality of life (EQ-5D-5L), and the number of (serious) adverse events. Follow-up measurements will take place at 4, 8, and 12 weeks. The primary outcome will be analysed using an ANCOVA model. Results: Not applicable. Conclusion: In this RCT, we standardize the training environment and isolate the clinical reasoning process to improve group comparability and address key limitations in prior research. This approach aims to clarify whether personalized exercises – currently standard and resource-intensive – are truly essential for effectively treating NSLBP. The findings could advance clinical practice and health policy by providing evidence-based solutions for managing NSLBP, potentially reducing high costs and resource demands of existing treatments.
Source: physioscience
Authors: A M Aegerter, T Gisler, H Luomajoki, D Lehnick, I Frank, G Stucki, C Perret
Language: English
Subfield: Pharmacology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7093316032
FWCI:
Cites:
Cited by:
Related to: