PURPOSE
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of exercise program on chronic low back pain, daily living disability and depression in chronic low back pain patients treated with epidural injections.
METHODS
The design of this study was a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest experiment. The sample was recruited among low back pain patients treated with epidural injections from an orthopedic specialty hospital. Participants were randomly assigned to a treatment group (n=25) or a comparison group (n=27). The treatment was a six week exercise program for low back pain. Data were collected from September to November 2011, and were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi2-test, one-tailed t-test for independent samples, and Mann-Whitney U test using the SPSS/WIN 12.0 program.
RESULTS
Patients in the treatment group reported statistically significantly lower levels of back pain on flexion and extension, less daily living disability, and less depression than those in the comparison group.
CONCLUSION
The back pain relief exercise program could be an effective adjunct nursing intervention for low back pain patients treated with epidural injections.

Citations

• The Effects of Comprehensive Education Program on Anxiety, Uncertainty and Athletic Performance of Patients undergo Spinal Nerve Block
  Seon Hee Kim, Eun Sook Lee
  Korean Journal of Adult Nursing.2017; 29(2): 143.     CrossRef
• Effects of the Back Pain Management Program on Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain
  In Ho Shin, Kyung-Sook Cho
  Journal of muscle and joint health.2014; 21(2): 114.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
Illness intrusiveness (illness induced lifestyle disruption) by symptoms was investigated in 439 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. METHOD: The cross-sectional and retrospective survey design was used. Fatigue, disability, pain, and depression were considered as symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. RESULT: Patients were reported to perceive more illness intrusiveness than other chronic disease patients such as end stage renal disease, bipolar disorder, and peritoneal dialysis patients. They were especially intrusive into work, health, and active recreation domains. Stepwise regression analysis identified four variables counting for 26% of illness intrusiveness variances: fatigue, disability, marital status, and depression. All of the symptoms except pain were found to significantly predict illness intrusiveness. Fatigue explained 16% of illness intrusiveness variances. CONCLUSION: Fatigue and depression usually overlooked by health professionals must be carefully assessed and managed to reduce perceived illness for rheumatoid arthritis patients.