Relationship between Learning Strategies of Patients and Properly Perception of the Home Exercise Program with Non-Specific Low Back Pain

Low back pain is the most important public health problem in industrialized societies. It is also a major cause of increasing in healthcare costs, working and functional disability. The correct performing of prescribed exercises in treatment low back pain is very important. However, some cognitive factors may limit the learning exercises correctly. Recent studies have highlighted specific parts of the education process and have made suggestions about how rehabilitation providers can improve educational outcomes with their consumers.A study was performed at Dokuz Eylul University, School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation between November 2008- July 2009. Twenty six patients who had lumbar problem and who were suggested conservative treatment, participated in this study. The patients were included in two groups. Each group comprise of thirteen patients. The stability exercise procedures were considered for each group. For patients in control group, exercises procedures were demonstrated with wording that we often use in clinic. For patients in experimental group, it was done by using the method with specified describing style in accordance with ATLAS (The Assessing the Learning Strategies of Adults). The exercises were applied to patients at the first day as well as the next day of participation, and then asked them to make and continue their exercises at home by themselves for one week. After this period to assess the accuracy of patients? home exercises program, Exercise Assessment Scale was used and the scores were recorded.Exercise Assessment Scale scores were compared in both groups which showed a significantly superiority in experimental group compared to the control group.As a result, in patients with non-specific low back pain, the wording that we often use in clinic to describe home exercise program is not sufficient. While the method of specified describing style in accordance with ATLAS is more effective in understanding of exercises.