Relationship between learning strategies of patients and proper perception of the home exercise program with non-specific low back pain.

Abstract

This study explored how the effectiveness of prescription exercises for a home program for patients with non-specific low back pain by using the method with specified describing style in accordance with ATLAS (The Assessing the Learning Strategies of Adults) and traditional method that we often use in clinic. Twenty-six patients with non-specific low-back pain were referred to the physical therapy department for exercise therapy. Subjects were randomly assigned to control group, and experimental group. The stability exercise procedures were considered for each group. For patients in control group, exercises procedures were demonstrated with wording that we often use in clinic. For patients in experimental group, it was done by using the method with specified describing style in accordance with ATLAS (The Assessing the Learning Strategies of Adults). An Exercise Assessment Scale was also developed to measure exercise performance for this study. All demographic parameters, functionality scores, and distribution of learning strategies were homogeneous in two groups. The correlation tests showed no significant relationship between personal factors and properly perception of the home exercise program in control and experimental group. Exercise Assessment Scale scores were compared in both groups which showed a significantly superiority in experimental group compared to the control group. The wording that we often use in clinic to describe home exercise program in patients with non-specific low back pain is not sufficient. While the method of specified describing style in accordance with ATLAS is more effective in understanding of exercises.