A randomized controlled trial of flexion exercises, education, and bed rest for patients with acute low back pain

A randomized control trial of back flexion exercises, education and bed rest was carried out to determine the effects on subjects with low back pain. Two hundred and sixty subjects and 22 family physicians participated in the study. Subjects were randomly allocated to one of four treatment groups: back flexion exercises and education program; exercise/education plus bed rest; bed rest alone; or a control group. Subjects in the bed rest groups were instructed to remain in bed for a minimum of four days. Subjects in the exercise/education groups were taught a standardized back flexion exercise program by a physiotherapist and instructed in back care techniques. Results demonstrated that subjects who received flexion exercises and education were able to stop their medication sooner than the bed rest and control groups. No other statistically significant difference in pain, activities of daily living, straight leg rise (SLR), or lumbar flexion was observed among the four treatment groups.