Innovative Therapeutic Exercise Development for Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain Improving Pain and Function

Abstract

Study purpose. Low back pain (LBP) can occur in anyone with musculoskeletal health issues such as acute lumbosacral strain, lumbosacral ligament insufficiency, muscle weakness, osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, and joint problems. This study aims to develop the an innovative exercise therapy program for the recovery of pain, flexibility, and functional ability in patients with chronic nonspecific LBP.

Materials and methods. This study employed the ADDIE (Analyze, Design, Development, Implementation, Evaluation) research and model development methodology. The participants in this study consisted of documents and seven experts. Data analysis utilized Aiken’s formula. The second stage consists of Implementation and Evaluation. A small-scale pilot study was conducted with 7 participants suffering from chronic nonspecific LBP and 2 therapists. A large-scale pilot study involved 15 participants and 4 therapists. Data analysis was performed using the product-moment correlation. Pain was measured using the VAS (Visual Analogue Scale).

Results. The results of the study indicate that an innovative exercise therapy program for the rehabilitation of patients with chronic nonspecific LBP was developed using the ADDIE method, consisting of 20 movements. The exercise therapy innovation for the recovery of pain, flexibility, and functional ability in patients with chronic nonspecific LBP was deemed feasible using the Aiken index, with a lowest V-score of 0.821 and a highest V-score of 1.000 at a 5% significance level of 0.750. The small-scale test yielded a score of 95.16% (valid). The large-scale test yielded a score of 96.53% (valid).

Conclusions. This innovative exercise therapy program consists of 20 exercises that can be used to improve pain relief, flexibility, and functional ability in patients with nonspecific chronic lower back pain. This exercise therapy innovation can serve as an easy, affordable, and beneficial exercise therapy because it can be performed independently, whether at home or at exercise facilities or therapy centers.