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A Pilot Study of the Effects of High-Intensity Aerobic Exercise Versus Passive Interventions on Pain, Disability, Psychological Strain, and Serum Cortisol Concentrations in People With Chronic Low Back Pain

D Chatzitheodorou, PT, MSc, is Laboratory Instructor, Department of Physical Therapy, Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki, PO Box 141, 57400 Sindos, Greece
C Kabitsis, PhD, is Professor, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science at Serres, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
P Malliou, PhD, is Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Demokretus University of Thrace, Komotini, Greece
V Mougios, PhD, is Associate Professor, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Address all correspondence to Mr Chatzitheodorou at: dim_chatzi{at}yahoo.com

Background and Purpose: Given the complex nature of chronic pain, the effects of high-intensity aerobic exercise on pain, disability, psychological strain, and serum cortisol concentrations in people with chronic low back pain were investigated.

Subjects: Twenty subjects receiving primary health care were randomly allocated into exercise and control groups.

Methods: Subjects in the exercise group received a 12-week, high-intensity aerobic exercise program. Subjects in the control group received 12 weeks of passive modalities without any form of physical activity.

Results: Data analysis identified reductions in pain (41%, t₁₀=8.51, P<.001), disability (31%, t₁₀=7.32, P<.001), and psychological strain (35%, t₁₀=7.09, P<.001) in subjects in the exercise group and no changes in subjects in the control group. High-intensity exercise failed to influence serum cortisol concentrations.

Discussion and Conclusion: Regular high-intensity aerobic exercise alleviated pain, disability, and psychological strain in subjects with chronic low back pain but did not improve serum cortisol concentrations.