Conclusion This study provides strong evidence for the effectiveness of pedometer walking interventions in increasing PA levels for patients with MSDs .
Our findings suggest that a combination of interventions is likely to be the most effective strategy to maximize health benefits in the short term .
Background Physical activity ( PA ) plays an important role in the prevention and management of a number of chronic conditions .
Aim : to investigate the evidence for effectiveness of pedometer-driven walking programs to promote physical activity among patients with musculoskeletal disorders ( MSDs ) .
Pedometer-Based Internet-Mediated Intervention For Adults With Chronic Low Back Pain: Randomized Controlled Trial
Background Chronic pain , especially back pain , is a prevalent condition that is associated with disability , poor health status , anxiety and depression , decreased quality of life , and increased health services use and costs . Current evidence suggests that exercise is an effective strategy for managing chronic pain . However , there are few clinical programs that use generally available tools and a relatively low-cost approach to help patients with chronic back pain initiate and maintain an exercise program . Objective The objective of the study was to determine whether a pedometer-based , Internet-mediated intervention can reduce chronic back pain-related disability . Methods A parallel group r and omized controlled trial was conducted with 1:1 allocation to the intervention or usual care group . 229 veterans with nonspecific chronic back pain were recruited from one Department of Veterans Affairs ( VA ) health care system . Participants r and omized to the intervention received an uploading pedometer and had access to a website that provided automated walking goals , feedback , motivational messages , and social support through an e-community ( n=111 ) . Usual care participants ( n=118 ) also received the uploading pedometer but did not receive the automated feedback or have access to the website . The primary outcome was measured using the Rol and Morris Disability Question naire ( RDQ ) at 6 months ( secondary ) and 12 months ( primary ) with a difference in mean scores of at least 2 considered clinical ly meaningful . Both a complete case and all case analysis , using linear mixed effects models , were conducted to assess differences between study groups at both time points . Results Baseline mean RDQ scores were greater than 9 in both groups . Primary outcome data were provided by approximately 90 % of intervention and usual care participants at both 6 and 12 months . At 6 months , average RDQ scores were 7.2 for intervention participants compared to 9.2 for usual care , an adjusted difference of 1.6 ( 95 % CI 0.3 - 2.8 , P=.02 ) for the complete case analysis and 1.2 ( 95 % CI -0.09 to 2.5 , P=.07 ) for the all case analysis . A post hoc analysis of patients with baseline RDQ scores ≥4 revealed even larger adjusted differences between groups at 6 months but at 12 months the differences were no longer statistically significant . Conclusions Intervention participants , compared with those receiving usual care , reported a greater decrease in back pain-related disability in the 6 months following study enrollment . Between-group differences were especially prominent for patients reporting greater baseline levels of disability but did not persist over 12 months . Primarily , automated interventions may be an efficient way to assist patients with managing chronic back pain ; additional support may be needed to ensure continuing improvements . Trial Registration Clinical Trials.gov NCT00694018 ; http:// clinical trials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00694018 ( Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6IsG4Y90E )
Conclusion This study provides strong evidence for the effectiveness of pedometer walking interventions in increasing PA levels for patients with MSDs .
Our findings suggest that a combination of interventions is likely to be the most effective strategy to maximize health benefits in the short term .
Background Physical activity ( PA ) plays an important role in the prevention and management of a number of chronic conditions .
Aim : to investigate the evidence for effectiveness of pedometer-driven walking programs to promote physical activity among patients with musculoskeletal disorders ( MSDs ) .