Effects of a Land and Aquatic Exercise-based Program on Pain, Mobility and Quality of Life in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain

Effects of a Land and Aquatic Exercise-based Program on Pain, Mobility and Quality of Life in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The goal of this randomized clinical trial] is to study the effect of a combined aquatic and land-based exercise program compared to an aquatic program on pain, functional disability, and quality of life in adults with chronic low back pain. The main question it aims to answer is: "Does a combined aquatic and land-based exercise program improve functional disability and quality of life and reduce pain in adults with chronic low back pain?".

Participants will perform an aquatic exercise program (control group) or a combined aquatic and land-based exercise program (experimental group).

Researchers will compare groups to find any differences in pain, funcional disability and quality of life.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Both gender;
• Portuguese nationality;
• Aged over 18 years;
• Chronic Low Back Pain lasting three months or longer and with an intensity of 3 or higher on the Visual Analogue Scale at rest.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Individuals who refuse to participate or do not provide informed consent;
• Pain radiating to the lower limb;
• Recent pregnancy or childbirth (less than 8 weeks ago);
• Ongoing physical therapy treatments;
• Severe rheumatological, neurological, neoplastic, cardiovascular diseases or other conditions that could prevent full participation in the intervention;
• History of spinal surgery;
• Inflammatory, infectious, or malignant spinal diseases;
• Psychiatric disorders that may affect adherence and symptom assessment.