Article

OBJECTIVES: To establish the level of maximal aerobic capacity in patients with
chronic pain of different etiologies and to compare these results with different
parameters of disability. METHODS: A cycloergometer exercise test
with VO(2)max measurement, fatigue assessment and objective and subjective
disability parameter testing was performed on 155 patients (mean age 42.1+/-9.9
years) classified into three groups: patients with chronic lower back pain,
patients with an upper limb musculoskeletal disorder, and patients with
multifocal chronic pain. RESULTS: The mean VO(2)max value was 22.18 mL/min/kg.
There was no statistically significant difference in VO(2)max between the three
groups. The patients with poorest aerobic condition were older (P<0.007), were on
sick leave longer (P<0.03), had weaker Sorensen test (P<0.01) and P.I.L.E.
(P<0.004) results, had more perceived fatigue (P<0.04), a higher mean BMI
(P<0.0001) and gained more weight during sick leave (P<0.02). DISCUSSION:
Numerous studies have examined loss of aerobic capacity due to chronic low back
pain with contradictory results. This is probably due to variability of in the
methods used to measure or calculate VO(2)max as well as to the variability in
the studied populations. CONCLUSION: It seems appropriate to offer patients with
chronic pain multidisciplinary exercise rehabilitation programs.
CI - Copyright (c) 2012 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS