Ivan PJ Huijnen^1,2*, Bart C Bongers^3,4, Bart CA Pepels¹, Harriet M Wittink⁵, Jeanine A Verbunt^1,2 and Rob JEM Smeets^1,6

¹Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands

*Corresponding Author: Ivan Huijnen, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Maastricht University, The Netherlands.

Received: September 25, 2021; Published: December 20, 2021

Abstract

The primary aim of this systematic review was to critically appraise the different methodologies used in studies to evaluate aerobic capacity in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP). The second aim was to evaluate whether aerobic capacity of patients with CLBP differs from aerobic capacity of healthy age- and sex-matched subjects.

PUBMED, EMBASE, Web of Science, PEDro, and Cochrane databases were searched. A critical appraisal was performed on methodological quality of the used protocols using a self-designed assessment list.

A total of 28 studies were included in this review. Eleven studies (39.3%) used maximal exercise testing and seventeen studies (60.7%) used submaximal exercise testing. Large differences exist concerning the used exercise test protocols and methodologies to assess aerobic capacity of patients with CLBP. Similarly, large differences were found in how aerobic capacity of patients with CLBP was compared with age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Based on the results of the included studies, most studies found a lower aerobic capacity in patients with CLBP compared with age- and sex-matched healthy controls.

It can be concluded that it is not clear whether deconditioning is present in patients with CLBP. There are several points that warrant cautiousness before drawing a definitive conclusion.

Keywords: Chronic Low Back Pain; Aerobic Capacity; Physical Fitness; Exercise Testing

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Citation

Citation: Ivan PJ Huijnen., et al. “Does Physical Deconditioning in Chronic Low Back Pain Exist? A Systematic Review". Acta Scientific Medical Sciences 6.1 (2022): 191-216.