A study published in JAMA Network Open explored how a healthy lifestyle combined with standard care impacted chronic low back pain. The findings showed only slight improvements compared to standard care alone.
Low back pain is a leading cause of disability worldwide, affecting millions. Factors like obesity, smoking, inactivity, and poor diet can contribute to pain and disability. Sadly, these conditions can create a cycle of poor health, making it harder for individuals to manage their pain.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes low back pain as the top cause of disability globally. Currently, around 619 million people live with this issue, a number projected to rise to 843 million by 2050. Although low back pain is widespread, WHO does not advocate for weight loss as a treatment due to insufficient evidence linking it directly to pain relief.
To better understand how lifestyle changes might help, researchers launched the HeLP (Healthy Lifestyle Program) for Chronic Low Back Pain trial. This study focused on individuals with chronic pain linked to lifestyle issues such as obesity or lack of exercise.
The HeLP trial ran from September 2017 to December 2020 and aimed to see if adding lifestyle management to standard care would help reduce pain and disability. Participants received either the HeLP intervention, which included lifestyle education and support, or standard guideline-recommended care.
In the HeLP group, patients received guidance on healthy living alongside their usual treatment. This included specific sessions with physiotherapists and dietitians over 12 weeks, emphasizing self-management and lifestyle changes. Those in the standard care group got basic advice and exercises but no detailed lifestyle support.
Out of 344 participants, the average age was 50. After 26 weeks, data showed that those who integrated lifestyle changes experienced slight improvements in disability and some weight loss. However, there were no significant differences in pain levels or mental well-being between the groups.
While the results showed only minor enhancements in physical health, researchers believe this adds to the argument for lifestyle interventions in chronic pain management. WHO currently does not endorse lifestyle changes for treating low back pain due to lack of strong evidence. But studies like this could eventually lead to new methods for managing pain more effectively.
This trial suggests that integrating healthy lifestyle management into treatment plans may help reduce disability for some patients. Providing support around lifestyle changes could benefit those dealing with chronic back pain and also address risks associated with other chronic diseases.
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healthy lifestyle management ,guideline-based care ,chronic low back pain ,pain management,World Health Organization,WHO
