Study Summary

One hundred forty-nine adults with chronic, nonspecific low back pain were randomized to receive either motor skill training in functional activities (n=74) or strength and flexibility exercises (n=75) over six weekly one-hour sessions. The primary outcome was functional limitation assessed by the Modified Oswestry Disability Questionnaire (MODQ). Secondary outcomes included pain severity, number and length of flare-ups, medication use, physical and mental function, work performance, adherence, and satisfaction. Outcomes were measured immediately, and at 6 and 12 months post-treatment. Overall, the results of the study revealed significantly greater improvements in MODQ scores for the MST group than the SFE group across all time points. These findings suggest that person-specific motor skill training in functional activities may be a more effective strategy than traditional strength and flexibility exercises for improving function in people with chronic low back pain.