The effect of exercıse program on exercıse perceptıon and fear of movement ın low back paın.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the effects of a home exercise program on trunk flexibility, exercise benefits/barriers perceptions, and fear of movement in individuals with nonspecific low back pain (NLBP).

METHODS

In this randomized controlled trial, 65 individuals with NLBP were allocated by the closed-envelope method into either a home exercise group or a control group. The home exercise group received a four-week exercise intervention, while the control group received no intervention. Assessments included a demographic data form (gender, height, weight), the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain intensity, the Exercise Benefits/Barriers Scale (EBBS) for exercise perceptions, the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK) for fear of movement, and trunk flexibility measurements. This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05433311).

RESULTS

Significant differences were observed between groups in VAS and TSK scores before and after treatment (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found in trunk flexibility (p > 0.05). Post-intervention EBBS scores in the exercise group demonstrated a non-significant numerical improvement in the total score and subscales.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest that a home exercise program positively influences perceptions of exercise benefits/barriers and reduces fear of movement in individuals with NLBP. Incorporating home exercise into rehabilitation programs may therefore add value to treatment.