Association of Physical Therapy Effects on Chronic Low Back Pain

Abstract

Background: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a leading cause of disability worldwide, imposing substantial socioeconomic and personal burdens. Although physical therapy is widely used as a conservative management strategy, variability in treatment responses and limited region-specific data necessitate further investigation. Objective: To evaluate the effects of physical therapy on pain intensity and perceived recovery among adults with CLBP in Lahore, Pakistan. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted between February and June 2025 in multiple rehabilitation centers. A total of 246 adults aged ≥25 years with CLBP lasting more than 12 weeks were recruited through convenience sampling. Pain intensity was measured using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), while perceived improvement was assessed with the Global Rating of Change (GROC). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v25, with ANOVA applied to compare pain reduction across therapy modalities and Pearson’s correlation used to examine associations between NPRS and GROC scores. Results: The mean age of participants was 40.57 ± 13.71 years, with 54.9% women. Baseline NPRS scores decreased from 7.09 ± 1.83 to 2.49 ± 1.37 post-therapy (mean reduction 4.60, p < 0.001). GROC scores averaged −0.17 ± 4.42. NPRS change correlated strongly with GROC (r = 0.62, 95% CI 0.55–0.68, p < 0.001). ANOVA confirmed significant differences in NPRS reduction across therapy modalities (F = 8.02, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Physical therapy significantly reduced pain intensity and improved perceived recovery in CLBP patients, though variability in modality-specific effects and modest perceived outcomes highlight the need for individualized, multimodal approaches.