AB0664 Global postural reeducation to treat chronic low back pain: randomized, controlled trial

Background Low back pain (LBP) is a major cause of physical limitations and absenteeism at work throughout the world1. A number of studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of therapeutic exercises on reducing pain symptoms and improving function in patients with chronic LBP.2-4 Global Postural Reeducation (GPR) technique, theoretically consists of a reestablishment of the balance in the myofascial tension of different chains of muscles. GPR is based on the notion that a shortened muscle creates compensations in other proximal or distal muscles.5 One systematic review assessed the use of GPR for different conditions of the musculoskeletal system and found only one RCT that demonstrated a significant improvement in functional capacity in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.5 However, there are no previous randomized, controlled, clinical trials assessing the effectiveness of GPR on chronic LBP. Objectives To assess the effectiveness of global postural reeducation (GPR) on pain, function, quality of life and depressive symptoms in patients with chronic LBP. Methods Sixty-one patients with chronic LBP were randomly allocated to either the GPR group or a control group. Patients in the GPR group underwent one weekly 60-minute session of GPR for a period of 12 weeks. The control group remained on the waiting list under clinical treatment, with no physical intervention. Pain, function capacity, quality of life and depressive symptoms were assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS), the Roland-Morris questionnaire (RMQ), the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36-Item Health Survey (SF-36) and the Beck Inventory, respectively. The evaluations were performed by a blinded examiner at baseline, three months and six months after the initial evaluation and the data were analysis using an intention to treat approach. Results The GPR group demonstrated significant improvements in pain (p