Economic Evaluation of an Exercise Program After Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain

Cost-utility Analysis of a 3-month Exercise Program vs. Routine Follow-up in Patients Having Completed Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation: a Randomized Controlled Trial

The purpose of the study is to compare, after functional multidisciplinary rehabilitation for chronic low back pain, an exercise program to the routine follow-up which is simply to advice patients to exercise regularly at home. The exercise program should help patients stay active, which should translate into a better long term quality of life and decreased days off work.

Inclusion Criteria:

• subacute or chronic low back pain
• phases 2 to 6 of the Krause classification
• without irritative neurological deficit
• age between 18 and 60
• having completed functional multidisciplinary rehabilitation

Exclusion Criteria:

• phases 7 and 8 of the Krause classification
• entitled to a total disability pension
• acute neurological deficit in progress
• sciatica
• pregnancy
• acute inflammatory rheumatic disease
• non-osteoarticular thoracic pain
• spinal fracture within the last 3 months
• osteoporosis
• tumor
• severe heart failure or respiratory failure
• active drug addiction
• current involvement in litigation related to low back pain
• active psychiatric pathology