Effect of Adding Close Physician Follow-up to Conventional Physical Therapy for Adults With Mechanical Low Back Pain

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the effects of close follow-up by a physician in addition to a conventional physical therapy program for adults aged 18 to 65 who have subacute or chronic mechanical low back pain. The study aims to compare outcomes between two groups and understand how daily physician-patient meetings might influence pain and disability. The trial is randomized with two groups and sponsored by Istanbul Training and Research Hospital. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups. The control group receives a conventional physical therapy program that includes hot packs, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, ultrasound, and core stabilization exercises. The study group receives the same physical therapy along with daily close follow-up meetings with a physician during sessions. Psychosocial risk is assessed at the start using the STarT Back Screening Tool. Patients will be evaluated through various clinical assessments including the Visual Analogue Scale VAS for pain, Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia, Pain Catastrophizing Scale, Becks Depression Inventory, Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire, and Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs. Assessments occur at baseline, day 5 after treatment, and one month after treatment. The study tracks pain, disability, psychological factors, and neuropathic symptoms over this period to understand the effects of the interventions.

Effects of Close Follow-up on Patients With Low Back Pain