Multimove Aquatic Therapy During Inpatient Rehabilitation Improves Functional And Clinical Outcomes In Chronic Low Back Pain Patients

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is one of the most common causes of disability and often associated with impaired physical and cognitive functioning. Due to its multifactorial aspects, multimodal interventions are recommended. MultiMove combines motor-cognitive with dance and strengthening exercises and has been shown to improve functional and clinical outcomes in CLBP patients during inpatient rehabilitation. However, since CLBP patients are unable to perform the MultiMove program due to limited mobility, the medium water might provide a safe and comfortable environment for CLBP patients due to e.g., buoyancy and hydrostatic pressure. PURPOSE: The study aimed to investigate the effects of an additional multimodal aquatic therapy intervention compared to standard program alone during 3-week inpatient rehabilitation. METHODS: Forty-eight CLBP patients (≥50 years) performed either a 3-week standard rehabilitation program (control group, CG) or an additional multimodal aquatic therapy (intervention group, IG) for 30 min, 5 times/week. Before and after, patients’ physical function, trunk flexibility, clinical outcomes, single and dual task gait performance, executive functioning, and psychosocial aspects were assessed. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients (IG = 18, CG = 16) completed all measurements and were included in the statistical analyses. It was found that physical function (Timed-Up-and-Go-Test: p = 0.007, d = 1.02; trunk flexibility during lateral flexion and rotation: p ≤ 0.020, d ≥ 0.85; Five-Repetition-Sit-to-Stand-Test: p < 0.001, d = 1.57; Six-Minute-Walk-Test: p = 0.003, d = 1.14) improved in IG compared to CG. In addition, IG tended to have lower chronic pain intensity (d = 0.60) and depression (d = 0.57). CONCLUSIONS: Integrating the MultiMove program into an aquatic therapy setting can be a helpful addition to improve physical functions in CLBP patients. EFRE