In der Therapie orthopädischer Erkrankungen/Verletzungen gewann in den letzten Jahren das Training im Wasser als aktive Maßnahme an Bedeutung. Auf der Suche nach Möglichkeiten einer frühfunktionellen, aber schonenden Behandlung wurde das Bewegungstraining im Wasser wieder entdeckt (vgl. Froböse/ Nellessen/ Eckey 2003, 211-29). Innenmoser (2007) betonte, dass therapeutisches Aqua-Jogging geeignet bzw. notwendig ist für Menschen mit Schädigungen, chronischen Krankheiten und mit Beeinträchtigungen bzw. Gefährdungen vor allem der körperlichen Funktionen, aber auch bei Schwächen des Stütz- u. Bewegungsapparats und chronischen Erkrankungen wie Rheuma, Wirbelsäulenschäden und auch bei „Low-Back-Pain“-Patienten. Der Bewegungsraum Wasser bietet im Vergleich zu Bewegungen an Land, aufgrund seiner besonderen physikalischen Eigenschaften (vgl. hierzu alle zitiert in: Innenmoser 2001, 27: Aschoff 1971; Klauck 1977, 1998; Stegemann 1991; Stuart 2000 u.a.), eine weitestgehende Entlastung des Stütz- und Bewegungsapparates, insbesondere bei Teilnehmern mit stark verändertem Bewegungsbild. Für viele Menschen mit körperlichen Schädigungen sind bewegungstherapeutische Maßnahmen im Wasser die einzige Möglichkeit zur Erhaltung bzw. Steigerung ihrer Leistungsfähigkeit. 2 Ziele der vorliegenden Untersuchung Ziel der vorliegenden Untersuchung ist es, die möglichen Wirkungen der Aktiven Wassertherapie in Form des therapeutischen Aqua-Jogging nach dem Konzept Innenmoser (2001) bei „chronischen“ Rückenschmerz- Patienten nachzuweisen. Weil in sportwissenschaftlichen Studien die in klinischen Studien üblichen medizinischen Kontrollverfahren (Röntgendiagnostik, Oberflächen- EMG usw.) nicht zur Anwendung kommen können, wird in dieser Studie versucht, die Wirkungen der „ Bewegungstherapie im Wasser“ über den Weg eines indirekten Schließverfahrens zu ermitteln. Dieses beruht darauf, dass die Wirkungen der Aktiven Wassertherapie sich in einer verbesserten Bewegungsmöglichkeit bzw. einem höheren Bewegungsausmaß der Bewegungen des Rumpfes bzw. der unteren Wirbelsäule dann zeigen, wenn die Personen unmittelbar nach Verlassen des Wassers mit unserem ultraschallgestützten Prüfverfahren kontrolliert werden. Der Vergleich zwischen den Veränderungen der Messwerte bei ausgesuchten Bewegungsaufgaben / Tests im Bereich der Wirbelsäule vor Beginn des Aqua-Joggens und unmittelbar danach wird als Indikator für eine bessernde Wirkung der Bewegungen im Wasser angesehen. Dabei galt es nachzuweisen, dass tatsächlich die Kontrolle am Beckenrand deutlichere Zeichen einer Wirkung der Bewegungen im Wasser erbringen kann, als die zeitlich immer viel später liegenden Laboruntersuchungen. 3 Methodik und Design In einer kontrollierten prospektiven Studie wurden 11 Probanden im Alter zwischen 41 und 71 Lebensjahren mit chronischen Rückenschmerzen in der Lendenwirbelsäule (Dauer > 2 Jahre) in Rahmen einer Einzelfallstudie (ohne begleitende physiotherapeutische Behandlung) erfasst. Sie nahmen über die Dauer von 14 Wochen ein mal pro Woche an einem Aqua-Jogging-Programm von 60 min Dauer teil. Alle Probanden absolvierten das Trainingsprogramm ausschließlich im Wasser. Neben den Messungen von Mobilität und Schmerz wurden durch Prä-, Post-, Follow-up-Tests und die verlaufsdiagnostische Untersuchung mit Hilfe eines „Befindlichkeitsfragebogens“, auch die subjektiven Einschätzungen von Leistungsfähigkeit, Befinden und Schmerzempfinden ermittelt. Im Labor kamen als ergänzende Parameter die Ermittlung der statischen Körperhaltung und der anthropometrischen Date hinzu. Der alltäglich wechselnde Schmerzzustand der Probanden wurde anhand eines „Tagebuchs“ festgehalten. Die Lendenwirbelsäule-Mobilität wurde mit Hilfe der Bestimmung des „Schoberzeichens“ im Labor in die Analyse mit einbezogen. Die Schmerzvarianten der Personen wurde mit Hilfe einer Befragung (Fragebogen FSR), dem ein Schmerzregulationsmodell zugrunde liegt, am Anfang und am Ende des Aqua-Jogging-Programms und nach dessen Ende im Follow-Up Zeitraum gemessen. Wichtigste Aufgabe aber waren die Messungen der Bewegungsmöglichkeiten der Lendenwirbelsäule mit Hilfe des Ultraschallmessverfahrens System Zebris am Beckenrand vor und nach dem Aqua-Jogging und dessen Auswertung unter Berücksichtung jedes einzelnen Probanden. 4 Ergebnisse Die Auswertung der Veränderungen mit dem ultraschalltopografischen Messverfahren nach Zebris in den Verlaufsuntersuchungen ergab bei 8 Probanden eine Verbesserung der LWS Beweglichkeit. Bei 8 Probanden waren auch Verbesserungen im Follow-Up Test im Merkmal Flexion zu sehen. Diese fiel deutlich umfangreicher aus. Bei weiteren 6 Probanden ergaben sich Verbesserungen der Extension im Bereich der LWS. Ebenfalls 6 Probanden konnten die Lateralflexion nach links vergrößern. Nur bei 5 Probanden verbesserte sich die Lateralflexion nach rechts. Bei 5 Probanden war die Rotation nach links besser, während bei 8 Probanden die Rotation nach rechts besser gelang. 6 Probanden verbesserten ihre LWS Beweglichkeit in der Flexion, wenn man das Schoberzeichen als Kriterium heranzog. Nur 3 Probanden verbesserten ihre FSR- Kompetenz, während 5 Probanden eine geringere Schmerzintensität lt. FSR aufwiesen. 7 Probanden zeigten eine geringere Angst gemäß FSR und bei 7 Probanden verringerte sich die Neigung zu Depression, Die Effekte sind unabhängig von Geschlecht und Chronifizierungsausmaß. Verallgemeinernd gesehen waren mit Hilfe der ausgewählten Messkriterien eine Verbesserung der Beweglichkeit der Wirbelsäule, eine Linderung der Schmerzen und Steigerung der Lebensqualität zu beobachten. Trainingsbedingt zeigte sich teilweise eine kräftige Beschwerdereduktion (Linderung der Schmerzintensität) und eine relativ deutliche Steigerung der körperlichen Leistungsfähigkeit. Teilnehmer über 60 Jahre zeigen gegenüber jüngeren Teilnehmern einen höheren Beweglichkeitszuwachs der Flexion bei gleicher Schmerzreduktion. Es wurde eindeutig klar, dass die individuell unterschiedlichen Wirkungen des Aqua-Joggings auf Flexion, Extension, Lateralflexion links und rechts und Rotation links und rechts nur dann sicher erfasst werden können, wenn die Kontrolle tatsächlich am Beckenrand erfolgte. Diese akuten Wirkungen erklärten auch das fast stets gesteigerte Gefühl des Wohlbefindens bei den Probanden und ihre regelmäßig geäußerten Wünsche nach einer Fortsetzung der Trainingsmaßnahmen 5 Schlussfolgerungen Das Aqua-Jogging bestätigte sich als wirksame Maßnahme im Sinne einer Trainingstherapie. In der untersuchten Stichprobe wurden schon nach kurzer Zeit und im Verlauf der Studie bis zum Ende deutliche positive Veränderungen der Bewegungsmöglichkeiten der Lendenwirbelsäule festgestellt. Dass dies nicht bei allen Probanden bei allen Provokation einheitlich gleich war, lässt sich erklären durch die sehr unterschiedlichen Ausprägungen der Symptome, obwohl alle sicher zur Gruppe der „Low-Back-Pain“-Patienten zu zählen sind. Die Ergebnisse der Untersuchungen und die Durchführung des Trainings unter den festgelegten Bedingungen können weitere Erkenntnisse für effektive Therapiemaßnahmen für Rückenpatienten bringen. 6 Schlussthesen 6.1 Mit Hilfe des Ultraschall-Diagnoseverfahrens (System Zebris) am Beckenrand gelingt es, die unmittelbaren Auswirkungen des Aqua Joggings – repräsentiert durch eine verbesserte Beweglichkeit in Flexion, Extension, Lateralflexion und Rotation der LWS – nach jeder Therapieeinheit nachzuweisen. 6.2 Ein erhöhtes Niveau der Lendenwirbelsäulen–Bewegungsmöglichkeiten und eine Verbesserung der „Schmerzfaktoren“ kann durch ein spezifisches Aqua-Jogging Training erreicht werden. Eine längerfristige Wirksamkeit der Intervention in Form von geringeren Rückbildungsprozessen auf den alten Zustand vor Beginn des Programms konnte am Follow-up-Messzeitpunkt nur teilweise gezeigt werden. 6.3 Alle Teilnehmer der Studie reagierten beim Post Test im Vergleich mit dem Prä-Test – im Sinne der Schmerzreduktion – positiv auf die Teilnahme am Aqua-Jogging. Die Patienten fühlten sich nach dem Aqua Jogging wohler als vor dem Aqua-Jogging.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between patient expectations about a treatment and the treatment outcomes, particularly for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) therapies, is not well understood. Using qualitative data from a larger study to develop a valid expectancy questionnaire for use with participants starting new CAM therapies, we examined how participants' expectations of treatment changed over the course of a therapy. METHODS: We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with 64 participants initiating one of four CAM therapies (yoga, chiropractic, acupuncture, massage) for chronic low back pain. Participants just starting treatment were interviewed up to three times over a period of 3 months. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using a qualitative mixed methods approach incorporating immersion/crystallization and matrix analysis for a decontexualization and recontextualization approach to understand changes in thematic emphasis over time. RESULTS: Pre-treatment expectations consisted of conjecture about whether or not the CAM therapy could relieve pain and improve participation in meaningful activities. Expectations tended to shift over the course of treatment to be more inclusive of broader lifestyle factors, the need for long-term pain management strategies and attention to long-term quality of life and wellness. Although a shift toward greater acceptance of chronic pain and the need for strategies to keep pain from flaring was observed across participants regardless of therapy, participants varied in their assessments of whether increased awareness of the need for ongoing self-care and maintenance strategies was considered a "positive outcome". Regardless of how participants evaluated the outcome of treatment, participants from all four therapies reported increased awareness, acceptance of the chronic nature of pain, and attention to the need to take responsibility for their own health. CONCLUSIONS: The shift in treatment expectations to greater acceptance of pain and the need for continued self-care suggests that future research should explore how CAM practitioners can capitalize on these shifts to encourage feelings of empowerment rather than disappointment surrounding realizations of the need for continued engagement with self-care.

BACKGROUND:No consistent relationship exists between pre-treatment expectations and therapeutic benefit from various complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies in clinical trials. However, many different expectancy measures have been used in those studies, with no validated questionnaires clearly focused on CAM and pain. We undertook cognitive interviews as part of a process to develop and validate such a questionnaire.METHODS:We reviewed questions about expectations of benefits of acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, or yoga for pain. Components of the questions - verbs, nouns, response options, terms and phrases describing back pain - were identified. Using seven different cognitive interview scripts, we conducted 39 interviews to evaluate how individuals with chronic low back pain understood these individual components in the context of expectancy questions for a therapy they had not yet received. Chosen items were those with the greatest agreement and least confusion among participants, and were closest to the meanings intended by the investigators.RESULTS:The questionnaire drafted for psychometric evaluation had 18 items covering various domains of expectancy. "Back pain" was the most consistently interpreted descriptor for this condition. The most understandable response options were 0-10 scales, a structure used throughout the questionnaire, with 0 always indicating no change, and 10 anchored with an absolute descriptor such as "complete relief". The use of words to describe midpoints was found to be confusing. The word "expect" held different and shifting meanings for participants. Thus paired items comparing "hope" and "realistically expect" were chosen to evaluate 5 different aspects of treatment expectations (back pain / back dysfunction and global effects / impact of back pain on specific areas of life / sleep, mood, and energy / coping). "Impact of back pain" on various areas of life was found to be a consistently meaningful concept, and more global than "interference".CONCLUSIONS:Cognitive interviews identified wordings with considerable agreement among both participants and investigators. Some items widely used in clinical studies had different meanings to participants than investigators, or were confusing to participants. The final 18-item questionnaire is undergoing psychometric evaluation with goals of streamlining as well as identifying best items for use when questionnaire length is constrained.

This thesis comprises three phases with a combined aim which was to investigate the effect of position on the lumbar intervertebral disc (IVD). The effect of position on the lumbar IVD in asymptomatic subjects and subjects with discogenic low back pain (DLBP) was explored using positional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (pMRI). Convenience samples of 11 asymptomatic and 34 DLBP subjects were recruited to have sagittal and axial pMRI scans performed in sitting (Neutral, Flexed and Extended), standing and lying (Supine and Prone extension) positions. The sagittal plane migration of the nucleus pulposus (NP) of each lumbar IVD in each position was measured from the sagittal and axial pMRI scans. Within and between group inferential analysis was performed using nonparametric tests. Both the asymptomatic and DLBP subjects’ demonstrated that position had statistically significant effects on the sagittal plane NP migration. Both groups demonstrated significantly greater posterior sagittal plane NP migration in Neutral and Flexed sitting positions compared to the other positions. However, between group comparisons identified that the asymptomatic subjects also demonstrated significantly greater posterior sagittal plane NP migration than the DLBP subjects. This pattern was more common in the upper lumbar IVDs (L1/2 and L2/3) between positions and less common in the lower IVDs (L4/5 and L5/S1) between positions. New knowledge regarding the behaviour of the lumbar IVD emerged from this research. The differences detected between the asymptomatic and DLBP subjects suggest that some current theories regarding DLBP may be incorrect. The results also support imaging of DLBP subjects in sitting positions as opposed to current supine positions. Although the limitations of the study reduce generalisation of the results, the implications for clinical practice, imaging and suggestions for further research from this work are important to improve understanding and conservative management of DLBP.

Low Back Pain (LBP) is a condition that most people experience at least once in their lifetime and for which many will seek physiotherapeutic intervention. Recently published and internationally recognised clinical guidelines for the management of LBP recommend the use of spinal manual and manipulative therapy techniques alongside exercise, advice, education and pharmaceutical therapies, particularly in the early stages. Other areas of development in the last decade include classification systems, clinical prediction rules (CPR’s), patient-reported outcome measures (PROMS’s) and minimum clinically important difference (MCID) thresholds. Additionally, sympathetic nervous system (SNS) measures of treatment responses are now recognised as providing quantifiable indicators of peripheral, spinal and central effects of manual therapy interventions although research in the lumbar spine is very limited with none providing data on a patient population. The aims of the study were; to determine the reliability and stability of the Biopac System in recording skin conductance (SC) activity levels and calculate the smallest real difference (SRD) statistic; to generate data on the magnitude of SC response to two commonly utilised treatments for LBP; and to observe the changes in a clinical population receiving guideline-endorsed physiotherapy treatment for the management of acute and sub-acute LBP. Furthermore, clinical data analysis sought to identify correlations of SC measures to PROM’s and evaluate the feasibility of using SC responses as a predictive tool for therapeutic outcome. The ability of the Biopac System to reliably record SNS activity was established by using SC measurements with 12 participants on two occasions, one-week apart. Data was recorded within a natural, non-laboratory setting. Results established that SC measurements could be reliably recorded between data sessions with a measurement variability of; ICC=0.99 (p<0.005) with an SRD value of 0.315 μmho’s (4.633%). In conclusion, any SC change above the SRD could be regarded as an SNS change that is independent of any measurement error or variability thus representing a real change ascribable to the intervention under investigation. The pre-clinical investigation compared the magnitude of SC response (SCR) of two, independently administered, specific MT techniques, applied, after randomisation, to the Lumbar 4/5 segment of 50 asymptomatic healthy volunteers. Treatments included; a rotatory lumbar manipulation technique or a repeated McKenzie extension in lying exercise. Findings revealed that both techniques produced statistically significant changes in SNS activity in the lower limbs (> SRD) with manipulative technique SCR’s (76%) that were twice the size of the McKenzie repeated extension in lying exercise (EIL) technique (35.7%)( p=0.0005). Only the manipulation technique had a lasting effect that was carried into the final rest period (p=0.012) but the SNS response was not a side-specific phenomenon (p= 0.76). The final clinical study recruited 60 acute and sub-acute LBP patients (symptoms of up to 12 weeks duration) who received guideline-recommended physiotherapy treatment within a hospital-based musculoskeletal out-patient physiotherapy department. SCRs were recorded throughout all treatment episodes with standardised, validated PROM’s used for comparison of status at inception, mid-point and at discharge. Functional impairment was determined using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) with pain intensity evaluated with the Narrative Pain Rating Score (NPRS). A preliminary comparison, between the asymptomatic population and a random selection from the patient population, revealed that patients had treatment SCR’s that were significantly greater (three-fold) than those of the asymptomatic groups (manipulation, p=0.003; EIL exercises p=0.001). Analysis of the patient data indicated that pre-treatment/baseline SC activity levels in the inception data capture point were lower than at discharge (18 µMho’s; p<0.0005) but, conversely, that treatment SC levels were initially high, but diminished in magnitude by discharge (230 to 172 µMho’s; p<0.0005) representing a SCR reduction of 125%. Correlational analyses of change scores of maximum SCR’s to PROM’s, from inception to discharge suggested weak positive correlations of SCR treatment responses to functional disability score improvements (rho 0.278) and pain intensity reductions (rho=0.229) that were significant for function (p=0.033) but not significant for pain (p=0.080). The final analyses indicated that there were trends in the magnitude of response to specific elements of treatment with manipulation having the largest SCR (266%). Further evaluative analysis of SC readings as a predictor, at inception, of functional outcome, at discharge indicated that a critical/cut-off value of 195% may indicate those patients least and most likely to respond positively to MT treatment. Preliminary logistic regression analysis indicated that the 195% SCR value was excellent at identifying poor responders but less successful at identifying good responders, functionally, to treatment. Nonetheless, SCR was a better predictor of outcome than duration of symptoms and patient age. Characteristically, patients achieving the 195% value were most likely to have higher functional disability and pain intensity scores at inception but by discharge had required fewer treatments, had greater overall functional improvement and lower pain intensities than those not achieving this threshold. In conclusion, SC activity levels and SCR’s may be a reliable, stable, alternative and objective measure of LBP patients’ SNS status and changes that occur as a result of symptom abatement throughout a course of physiotherapy treatment. SC readings may (indirectly) reflect the state of dorsal horn (DH) sensitisation and of the central nervous system (CNS) processing system and its facilitatory capacity to activate the descending pain inhibitory system (DPIS). Further research, in patient populations (including chronic LBP patients), is recommended to verify these findings and validate the 195% SCR cut-off point. Definitive RCT’s are indicated to further the understanding of guideline-endorsed physiotherapy treatment (a complex intervention –MRC, 2000) and to determine whether the SNS activity measurements can be used to help classify, predict, and ultimately, direct the care of patients with LBP.

Disability due to low back pain is common. While evidence exist that exercise is effective in reducing pain and disability, it is still largely undetermined which kind of exercises that are most effective. The overall aim of this thesis was to evaluate and compare the effects of a high-load lifting exercise and individualized low-load motor control exercises for patients with nociceptive mechanical low back pain. A secondary aim was to evaluate which patients benefit from training with a high-load lifting exercise. All four papers in this thesis were based on a randomized controlled trial including 70 participants with nociceptive mechanical low back pain as their dominating pain pattern. Participants were randomized into training with either a high-load lifting exercise (HLL), the deadlift, (n=35) or individualized low-load motor control exercises (LMC) (n=35). Both interventions included aspects of pain education. All participants were offered twelve sessions during an eight week period. The effects of the interventions were evaluated directly after and twelve months after the end of the intervention period. Outcome measures were pain intensity, activity, disability, physical performance, lumbo-pelvic alignment and lumbar multifidus muscle thickness. There was a significant between-group effect in favour of the LMC intervention regarding improvements in activity, movement control tests and some tests of trunk muscle endurance. For pain intensity there were no significant differences between groups. A majority of participants in both intervention groups showed clinically meaningful improvements from baseline to two and twelve month follow-up regarding pain intensity and activity. There were no significant differences between HLL and LMC regarding the effect on lumbo-pelvic alignment or lumbar multifidus thickness. The participants who benefit the most from the HLL intervention were those with a low pain intensity and high performance in the Biering-Sørensen test at baseline. The results of this thesis showed that the HLL intervention was not more effective than the LMC intervention. The LMC was in fact more effective in improving activity, performance in movement control tests and some tests of trunk muscle endurance, compared to the HLL intervention. The results imply that the deadlift, when combined with education, could be considered as an exercise to produce clinically relevant improvements on pain intensity in patients who prefer a high-load exercise. However, before considering deadlift training, the results suggest that pain intensity and performance in the Biering-Sørensen test should be evaluated.

Thesis (MScPhysio (Physiotherapy))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / The prevalence of low back pain (LBP) in United Arab Emirates (UAE) is estimated to be about 57% in males and 64% in females. Low back pain is commonly treated by primary care physicians and physiotherapists in the UAE. are increasingly used for clinical assessment, to demonstrate and reflect on the effectiveness of an intervention. Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) is Self-reported outcome measure that widely used and recommended for LBP. ODI Arabic version was developed and validated in women population. To date no UAE Arabic version of the ODI exists which has been cross-culturally adapted, validated and published in the peer-reviewed literature. . Objective The objectives are, to cross-culturally adapt the Arabic version of the ODI developed in Tunisia to devise a pre-final ODI-UAE Arabic version; to pre-test the pre-final ODI-UAE Arabic version in a target group of patients to devise the final ODI-UAE Arabic version; and to determine the reliability and construct validity of the final ODI-UAE Arabic version. Study design Culture adaptation, reliability and validity testing. Methodology The cross culture adaptation of the ODI Arabic version developed in Tunisia was performed in accordance with the published guidelines. For reliability 108 clients of UAE nationals with LBP were consecutively selected and completed the final ODI-UAE Arabic version, at baseline and 48 hours, and test–retest reliability and internal consistency were calculated. For validity 108 completed the final ODI-UAE Arabic version, VAS, and the Squat test at baseline and 4 weeks follow up; construct validity, items frequency response, response to change and floor and ceiling were evaluated. Results The ODI-UAE (9 questions) had high level of test–retest with ICC of 0.99; the mean at baseline and 48 hours was (0.68); Cronbach's alpha was 0.99. Strong positive correlation with VAS r =>0.70 (p = <0.01), and moderate inverse correlation between ODI and Squat r =>0.65 (p = <0.01).The results of the maximum frequency response were less than 80% for the entire 9 question. The effect size and the SRM of ODI-UAE, VAS and Squat test at baseline and 4 weeks were identical comparable the effect size, were 1.66, 1.85, and 1.59 respectively. ODI-UAE demonstrated absence of floor and ceiling effect; less than 15% of the respondents achieved the lowest or highest possible score respectively (0 -11.5) or (87-100%). Conclusion The ODI-UAE Arabic version is an easy to understand, reliable and valid condition-specific outcome measure for the measurement of the limitation of functional ability cause by LBP in the United Arab Emirates national population.

Thesis (MScPhysio (Interdisciplinary Health Sciences. Physiotherapy))--University of Stellenobosch, 2010. / Background: Low back pain (LBP) has a high prevalence worldwide. LBP is significantly associated with a range of poor socio-demographic circumstances which should be addressed in preventive programs. Despite this there is a dearth of information about the prevalence and associated factors among low-income communities in South Africa. It is speculated that the burden of LBP may be most significant in these underprivileged communities. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of LBP among the lowincome communities in the Cape Town Metropole and to establish associated factors in order to make recommendations for management. Study design: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the visitors of eight community health centres (CHCs) in the Cape Town Metropole. Methodology: A new measurement tool was developed based on existing validated outcome measures and initial testing of the psychometric properties of the questionnaire was conducted. The questionnaire was administered to 489 eligible subjects. Descriptive analysis was used to describe the sample and logistic regression analytical techniques were applied to determine associated factors. Main findings: Lifetime prevalence for LBP was 76.49% (n=358). About 37% (n=133) suffered from chronic LBP. LBP was significantly associated with belonging to the black ethnic group, any co-morbidity, poor perceived general health, and any type of pain medication. Lifting weights > 20 kg and kneeling and squatting were physical factors significantly associated with LBP. Severe psychological distress was significantly associated with acute and chronic LBP. Having a better or same perceived general health compared to a year ago, was protective for LBP. Conclusion: LBP has a high prevalence among the low income communities, visiting the CHCs, in the Cape Town Metropole. Multiple factors were associated with LBP, which imply that a tailormade multidisciplinary program addressing lifestyle issues, self management strategies, medication use, chronic diseases and psychosocial factors may be required for this population to combat LBP.

This paper describes and tests a largely ignored but important preliminary step for comparative effectiveness research: retrospective evidence syntheses to first establish a knowledge base of condition-based medical conditions. By aggregating and organizing what is already known about a treatment or system, gaps in knowledge can be identified and future research designed to meet those gaps.An information synthesis process may also discover that few knowledge gaps in the knowledge base yet exist, the gaps are negligible, and / or treatment effectiveness and study quality is stable across many years, but is simply not clinically important. A consistent finding of low effectiveness is evidence against more research, including exclusion of a treatment from future comparative effectiveness studies. Though proponents of weak treatments or systems may choose to proceed with further research, use of public funds or resources that eventually increase costs to the public are unwarranted.By first establishing a treatment or system knowledge base, at least three comparative effectiveness research decisions are conceivable: (1) treatment or system should be included in future comparative effectiveness trials to establish relative effectiveness for a given condition, (2) has promise but requires more research in a prospective CER trial, or (3) the treatment is less effective than others for a given condition, making future research unnecessary. Thus, a "retroactive comparative effectiveness research method," rCER, is proposed here to identify which treatments are worth including in future prospective trials and which are known to have small to modest effect sizes and are not worth the time and expense of a closer look.The rCER method herein showed that for non-surgical low back pain any treatments did not improve greatly upon the normal and natural pain trajectory for acute low back pain. Therefore, any advantage in pain reduction by any treatment of acute low back pain over back pain's normal course of resolution without care, is quite small, and as such, the incremental cost for the marginal improvement over no treatment becomes quite large. While the quality of non-surgical low back pain studies over the past 34 years has steadily increased, the effect size has not, leading to the conclusion that future research on non-surgical low back pain treatment is unwarranted.

Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate Core Stability Exercise (CSE) induced changes in trunk sagittal acceleration as a measure of performance in participants following an acute onset of non-specific low back pain (LBP). Methodology: A Lumbar Motion Monitor (LMM) was used to measure trunk sagittal acceleration. The LMM was demonstrated to be reliable [Intra-Class Correlation (ICC) for average sagittal acceleration (0.96, 95% CI 0.90-0.98) and peak sagittal acceleration (0.89, 95% CI 0.75-0.96) with a 95% limit of agreement for the repeated measure of between -100.64 and +59.84 Deg/s2 ]. Pain was measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and disability was measured with the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ). Results: Differences in mean trunk sagittal acceleration between control and experimental groups at time points were assessed using a regression analysis (ratio of geometric means [95%CI]) and demonstrated to be not statistically significant (3 weeks (20%) 1.2 [0.9 to 1.6], p=0.2; 6 weeks (10%) 1.1 [0.8 to 1.5], p=0.7; 3 months (20%) 1.2 [0.8 to 1.9], p=0.9). Similarly, differences in mean pain score (3 weeks (30%) 1.3 [0.8-2.2], p= 0.3); 6 weeks (20%) 1.2 [0.7-2.0], p=0.6; 3 months (0%) 1.0 [0.5-1.9], p=1.0) and difference in mean disability score (6 weeks (0%) 1.0 [0.7-1.5], p= 1.0, 3 months (30%) 1.3 [0.8-1.9], p= 0.3) between groups were also not statistically significant. Conclusions: This work does not infer that CSE are definitively effective in reducing pain, improving subjective disability and improving trunk performance after an onset acute of non-specific LBP. However, there is a suggestion of clinical importance and a possible mechanism by which they may work. Further investigation into this mechanism may provide future effective management strategies for intervention of acute non-specific low back pain with optimistic cost implications for healthcare delivery in general and Physiotherapy in particular.