Impact of a resistance training program on functional disability, pain, strength, and range of motion in individuals with chronic low back pain: A double-blind randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Low back pain is a condition characterized by pain and discomfort in the lumbar and sacral regions. Nonspecific chronic low back pain leads to functional disability, reducing work productivity and imposing in significant socioeconomic burden. This clinical trial implemented an eight-week resistance training program adapted for individuals with chronic low back pain. Training intensity was prescribed based on participants' perceived exertion, ranging from "easy" to "somewhat hard" (OMNI-RES SCALE 4 to 6). The study aimed to evaluate the effects of this program on pain, functional disability, maximal strength, muscular endurance, and spinal mobility. A significance level of p ≤ 0.05 was adopted for all statistical analyses. At the end of the study, the resistance training group exhibited a 71.6% reduction in functional disability (25.0 ± 5.8 to 7.1 ± 5.4; p = 0.001, = 0.82), a 79.6% reduction in pain (5.9 ± 1.6 to 1.2 ± 1.1; p = 0.001, = 0.62), a 36.7% increase in maximal strength (58.2 ± 29.9 to 79.6 ± 31.5; P = 0.001, = 0.90), a 31.1% increase in trunk flexion range of motion (37.6 ± 8.3 to 49.3 ± 9.9; P = 0.02, = 0.23), and a 56.6% increase in muscular endurance time (35.3 ± 26.8 to 55.6 ± 35.8; P = 0.01, = 0.30). These findings suggest that a low-intensity resistance training program tailored for individuals with chronic low back pain effectively reduces pain and functional disability while enhancing maximal strength, muscular endurance, and trunk mobility.