Effects of GPR on Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Global Postural Reeducation: Global Postural Reeducation, better known as GPR, was developed by Philippe Souchard in the 1980s and involves a sequence of postures or treatment positions, including the main ones: frog on the ground with arms open; frog on the ground with arms closed; frog in the air with arms open; frog in the air with arms closed; standing against the wall; standing at the center; anterior tilt sitting; anterior tilt standing. GPR is based on the concept of proprioception and inhibition. Souchard (2016) describes RPG as a proprioceptive method of inhibition, where proprioception refers to the body's ability to perceive its position in space, and inhibition refers to the muscle relaxation induced after intense contraction. This principle is applied through the postures and techniques used in treatment, aiming to correct postural deviations, promote one bigger conscious body, and relieve pain.

Global Postural Reeducation Sham: Global Postural Reeducation Sham is the comparator group.

Study summary

Introduction: Low back pain affects approximately 18.5% of the Brazilian population in adulthood, significantly impacting the quality of life and generating substantial costs for the health system. The Global Postural Reeducation Method (GPR) is a promising therapeutic alternative due to its multidimensional approach, capable of improving postural control and reducing pain. Objectives: to evaluate the Efficacy of the RPG method compared to simulated RPG (SHAM) in treating patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain. Methods: Randomized sham-controlled clinical trial. Forty-two adult individuals with chronic nonspecific low back pain will be recruited and distributed into two groups: the Experimental Group (EG), which will receive GPR sessions, and the Control Group (CG), which will receive RPG-SHAM sessions. Both groups will be treated for 30 minutes once a week for 8 weeks. Descriptive analysis will be performed, continuous variables will be summarized to the mean, and standard deviation and categorical variables will be summarized as absolute and relative frequencies. To assess the effects of the intervention over team, analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures will be used, with a significance level of 5% (p \< 0.05). Expected Results: This study is expected to provide robust evidence on the effectiveness of RPG in treating patients with low back pain, contributing to a better understanding of this complex health condition. The results will potentially positively impact the clinical practice of Orthopedic Physiotherapy, offering an exercise-based and accessible approach for treating patients with low back pain.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Pain Gradiation — pre and post eight weeks of intervention.
  Pain will be assessed three times: at rest, after a short walk, and during stem flexion using the Scale Visual Analog (EVE). This scale consists of a graduated horizontal line from 0 to 10, where 0 (zero) represents absence of pain and 10 (ten) represents maximum unbearable pain. Higher scores mean greater pain intensity.

Trial sites (1)

More Federal University of Bahia trials in Brazil

Other trials for the same condition