WalkingBack to Health

A recent study led by Dr Natasha Pocovi (PhD) from Macquarie University focusing on the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of individualised, progressing walking and education on low back pain has shown promising results.

The randomised controlled trial findings have recent been published in the Lancet with promising results.

Reoccurring low back pain is a significant problem and can severely impact the quality of life of those experiencing it. The WalkBack study focused on adults who had recently recovered from an episode of non-specific low back pain that wasn’t attributed to a specific diagnosis with the pain/episode lasting over 24 hours. The randomised control trial randomly assigned participants to one of two groups. Group one was an individualised, progressive walking and education intervention supported by a physiotherapist for 6 months. Group two received no treatment from the study team but were able to seek out any treatment or prevention strategies and use them during the trial.

The researchers were investigating two effectiveness outcomes: 1. How many days from randomisation (that is being placed in Group 1 or Group 2) to the first recurrence of activity-limiting low back pain lasting at least 24hours and 2. An economic evaluation that included quality-adjusted life-year (QALYs) and costs associated with the delivery of the intervention (including health-care costs, work absenteeism etc.).

The outcomes of the trial showed that the individualised, progressive walking and education intervention substantially reduced low back pain recurrence compared to no treatment. There were also reductions in back pain-related disability for up to 12 months in the participants who received the intervention. The findings also indicated the intervention had a high probability of being cost-effective.

This research shows some promising findings that have the potential to help millions of Australians Walk Back to a life free from low back pain.

For further information on WalkBack click HERE

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