Motor skill training vs. strength and flexibility exercise in people with chronic low back pain: effects on short- and long-term limitations in function, pain intensity, and movement characteristics

154 people with chronic low back pain (CLBP) were randomized to 6 weeks of motor skill training (MST) or strength and flexibility (SF) exercise. At baseline, post-treatment and 6-month follow-up participants completed the modified Oswestry Disability Questionnaire (MODQ), the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NRS) and a standardized task of picking up an object (PUO), where sagittal plane knee, hip and lumbar spine kinematics were calculated with 3D motion capture. MST and SF were similar in MODQ, NRS and movement characteristics at baseline. After treatment, MST had a greater reduction in MODQ and lower average NRS scores compared to SF. MST improved knee, hip, and lumbar spine movement patterns, while SF did not. The differences between MST and SF after treatment were maintained for all outcomes. These data suggest that MST is superior to SF for attaining and maintaining changes in functional limitations, pain, and movement characteristics in people with CLBP.