OBESITY AND RECOVERY FROM LOW BACK PAIN: A PROSPECTIVE STUDY TO INVESTIGATE THE EFFECT OF BMI ON RECOVERY FROM LOW BACK PAIN

Abstract

Study design: Prospective cohort study.

Objective: To investigate association between recovery from low back pain (LBP) and body mass index (BMI) in patients with LBP undergoing physiotherapy.

Introduction: The relationship between obesity and LBP has long been debated. There are no published studies examining the influence of BMI on recovery from LBP.

Methods: One hundred and forty patients with chronic LBP and no neurological deficit underwent a back-specific physiotherapy programme. BMI and recovery parameters such as pain intensity (visual analogue scale scores), and self-experienced impairment and disability scores were measured. The range of motion of the lumber spine was also recorded. These variables were compared pre and post treatment. Statistical analysis was performed using paired t tests, Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients and ANCOVA.

Results: Mean age was 38 years (range 18–67) with 62% males and 38% females. The treatment resulted in significant improvements in all the recovery parameters (P < 0.005, paired t test). No significant association was detected between the BMI of subjects and % changes in pain intensity, self-experienced impairment and disability, and range of motion of the lumbar spine. A comparative analysis of the after treatment recovery parameter scores in normal (BMI ≤24.9), overweight (BMI 25–29.9) and obese (BMI ≥ 30) revealed no significant differences in the mean pain intensity and mean self-experienced impairment and disability scores.

Conclusion: Although a BMI within normal range is desirable for prevention of many health conditions including LBP, it does not influence the overall recovery from low back pain in patients undergoing physiotherapy treatment.