Efficiency of active therapy for low back pain in elderly men.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Restoration of functionality in patients with low back pain is one of the most important rehabilitation and societal problems. The aim of this study was to verify the results of the DBC (Documentation Based Care) method used in elderly men. METHOD: This study evaluated the efficiency of DBC treatment on the basis of spinal mobility in sagittal, frontal and transverse planes and a subjective assessment of pain. There were two research groups one with 187 men over the age of 65, and the other with 187 men under the age of 65. The patients in the study were carefully selected. All subjects suffered from chronic, non-specific low back pain lasting for a period of at least three months. CONCLUSION: The conducted analyses confirmed that a functional restoration process improved spinal mobility in all planes of movement, decreased pain and functional limitations, and reduced the level of depression.