Original Research Article
Year: 2018 | Month: December | Volume: 5 | Issue: 12 | Pages: 320-327
A Study to Observe the Impact of Perceived Stress on Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain in Females of Reproductive Age Group in an Urban Population of West Bengal
Dr. Arunima Chaudhuri1, Dr. Sajal Kumar Sarkar2
1Associate Professor Department of Physiology, Rampurhat Government Medical College and Hospital (Affiliated to West Bengal University of Health Sciences), Rampurhat, West Bengal, India.
2Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery, Burdwan Medical College and Hospital (Affiliated to West Bengal University of Health Sciences), Burdwan, West Bengal, India.
Corresponding Author: Dr. Sajal Kumar Sarkar
ABSTRACT
Background: Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common problem in the developed world and stress is believed to be one of the possible causes of chronic low back pain.
Aims: To observe the impact of perceived stress on chronic nonspecific low back pain in females of reproductive age group in an urban population of West Bengal.
Materials and methods: This prospective study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in West Bengal in a time period of one year after taking clearance from the institutional ethical committee and consent of the patient. Two hundred female patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain (LBP) were included in this interventional study and divided into two groups: Group A and Group B (Age, Sex and BMI matched) using an online randomizer. Assessment of pain was done by Visual Analogue scale (VAS), range of motion by Modified Schober Test (MST) for extension and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) for functional disability. VAS, MST, ODI were estimated on first day prior to treatment in both groups. Presumptive stressful life events stress scores (PSLES) were calculated. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) of Sheldon Cohen, the most widely used psychological instrument for measuring the perception of stress, was used to assess stress levels. Patients in Group A were asked to perform McKenzie exercise 10 times twice daily thrice a week for 3 months. Patients in Group B were asked to perform McKenzie exercise 10 times twice daily thrice a week for 3 months as well as progressive muscle relaxation. All the parameters were reassessed after 3 months in both groups.
Statistical analysis: Data were analyzed using software SPSS version16.
Results: There was no significant difference in Age, PSS, PSLES, Waist/Hip ratio and BMI between the two groups on first examination. There was no significant difference in VAS, ODI and MST scores between the two groups on first encounter. PSS scores decreased in both groups following 3 months of treatment and the decrease was significantly more in Group B. VAS ODI scores were significantly decreased in both grouped in post treatment session as compared to pretreatment session and this change was more in subjects who practiced PMR and MST scores significantly increased in both groups after the treatment (P value Group A 0.04 and Group B <0.001).
Conclusions: Perceived stress may increase morbidity in females of reproductive age group suffering from nonspecific low back pain and progressive muscle relaxation therapy along with normal treatment protocol may have a better outcome.
Key words: Chronic nonspecific low back pain, perceived stress, relaxation therapy.
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