A pilot study of the effects of high-intensity aerobic exercise versus passive interventions on pain, disability, psychological strain, and serum cortisol concentrations in people with chronic low back pain

Background and Purpose Given the complex nature of chronic pain, the effects of high-intensity aerobic exercise on pain, disability, psychological strain, and serum cortisol concentrations in people with chronic low back pain were investigated. Subjects Twenty subjects receiving primary health care were randomly allocated into exercise and control groups. Methods Subjects in the exercise group received a 12-week, high-intensity aerobic exercise program. Subjects in the control group received 12 weeks of passive modalities without any form of physical activity. Results Data analysis identified reductions in pain (41%, t(10)=8.51, P <.001), disability (31%, t(10)=7.32, P <.001), and psychological strain (35%, t(10)=7.09, P <.001) in subjects in the exercise group and no changes in subjects in the control group. High-intensity exercise failed to influence serum cortisol concentrations. Discussion and Conclusion Regular high-intensity aerobic exercise alleviated pain, disability, and psychological strain in subjects with chronic low back pain but did not improve serum cortisol concentrations.