Article

OBJECTIVES: To compare aerobic fitness of patients with chronic low back pain
(CLBP) against healthy controls and to assess whether variables of the fear
avoidance model are associated with loss of aerobic fitness. DESIGN: A
case-comparison study. SETTING: Rehabilitation centers. PARTICIPANTS: Patients
with CLBP (n=223), and normative data from healthy subjects (n=18,082).
INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Maximal oxygen uptake
(VO2max) was estimated on the basis of a modified submaximal Astrand bicycle test
performed by patients with CLBP (observed level of aerobic fitness) and compared
with the normative data of healthy controls matched for age, sex, and level of
sport activity (expected level of aerobic fitness). Pain (visual analog scale);
disability (Roland Disability Questionnaire); pain-related fear (Tampa Scale for
Kinesiophobia); depression (Beck Depression Inventory); catastrophizing (Pain
Catastrophizing Scale); and the level of activity during sport, work/household,
and leisure time (Baecke Physical Activity Questionnaire) were assessed. Multiple
linear regression analysis was performed with the difference of the observed and
expected level of aerobic fitness as dependent variable and putative influential
factors including those of the fear avoidance model as independent variables.
RESULTS: VO2max could be calculated in 175 (78%) of the patients. Both men and
women with CLBP had significant lower VO2max than expected (10.3mL/kg lean body
mass (LBM)xmin(-1) and 6.5mL/kg LBMxmin(-1), respectively; P<.001). The levels of
activity during leisure time and work/household were significantly associated
with this reduced level of aerobic fitness. However, the variables of the fear
avoidance model were not. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients with CLBP-associated
disability have a lower level of aerobic fitness, but this is not associated with
fear avoidance.

Langue : ANGLAIS

Tiré à part : OUI