Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medical Research

Low Back Pain (LBP) has been cited as one of the highest ranked causes of disability worldwide. So far exercise interventions have generally had low to moderate effects on pain, disability, psychological measures and function.

Dance interventions have been utilised in a number of different conditions with good outcomes, however this has yet to be assessed in older individuals reporting long-term LBP.

This preliminary exploratory single arm study took place within a Dance company environment with support from clinicians involved in the treatment of LBP. A routine of exercises built around the principles of dance were developed. 3 Groups (with a total of 46) participated in three separate 6-week (1x week 1.5 hours) programmes. All participants had to be 60 or over, with a history of LBP greater than 12 months and not actively under care.

Outcome measures were taken at the start and end of the programme with a dropout of three. The outcomes selected were the VAS Numerical Pain distress scale, Quebec Back Pain Disability Questionnaire and SF-36.

Outcomes were positive with the average VAS dropping from 5 to 3 and Quebec Back Pain Disability Questionnaire from 35 to 28 (30% reduction regarded as clinically significant change) therefore VAS was clinically significant, the Quebec Back Pain Disability questionnaire although improved, did not meet that threshold. The SF-36 across the domains showed using a meaningful change of 5 points saw significant changes across multiple sub-scales.

In conclusion the utilisation of dance programmes could be considered as an option for the management of long-term LBP in older adults. Further work is suggested to evaluate other demographics and in comparative studies.