The impact of modified exercise and relaxation therapy on chronic lower back pain in office workers: a randomized clinical trial

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a modified package of exercise therapy combined with relaxation on pain intensity, range of motion (ROM), anxiety, and quality of life (QoL) in office workers with chronic lower back pain. Methods: In this clinical trial, office workers with chronic low back pain were randomized to one of four groups including; Group 1- Exercise therapy; Group 2- Psychotherapy (relaxation therapy); Group 3-Combined protocol (exercise followed by relaxation therapy); Group 4- control (no intervention). Exercise time was three sessions per week for 6 weeks with each session consisting of a 40-45 min bout of exercise/relaxation. Outcome measures included changes in pain intensity, ROM, anxiety, and QoL were studied at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks at the end of the intervention. Results: In 72 staff (20-50 years old) a significant decrease in pain intensity and anxiety was evident in the three experimental groups compared to the control group. The three intervention groups indicated a significant decrease in pain intensity and anxiety after 6 and 12 weeks. ROM significantly improved in the exercise therapy group and the modified protocol group over time (after 6 and 12 weeks). A significant difference between groups was observed in quality of life with greater improvement in the psychotherapy and modified protocol groups. Conclusion: This therapeutic package (including exercise and relaxation) showed a superior effect for all variables compared to other interventions with increased range of motion, quality of life, and reduction in pain and anxiety after 6 and 12 weeks. Thus, the combined protocol (exercise and relaxation) can be used as an efficient package for decreasing physical and psychological factors in people with chronic lower back pain.