Abstract
Objective: To assess the effect of the Active Spinal Rehabilitation Programme (ASRP) at four years after completion and its impact upon re-referral rates to General Practitioners and Orthopaedic Consultants.
Design: Patients included in the previous twelve-month follow-up study were sent a further explanatory letter and questionnaire including functional goal, exercise, analgesia intake, GP visit, consultant referral, employment status, revised Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Index and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)
Subjects: The first 140 patients completing the programme between April 1997–1998 were included in this study. An overall response rate of 85% (119 out of 140) was achieved with the aid of a follow-up telephone call (to those who did not respond to the postal questionnaire)
Results: The results obtained were comparable to those at one-year follow up. There was an improved VAS in 46% of the patients at four years post ASRP compared with VAS immediately after completion. The Oswestry Score was improved (decrease in patient perceived disability) in 55% of the patients. 56% of the patients achieved their functional goal and 83% felt in control of their pain. 57% of the patients did not visit their GP in the 12 months prior to the four-year follow up and 76% did not require Consultant referral after completing ASRP.
Conclusion: This study shows that the multiple benefits of an active spinal rehabilitation programme can be maintained for a four-year period, with a significant reduction in the demands on NHS resources.
Abstracts prepared by Mr. A. J. Stirling, FRCS, and Miss A. Weaver. Correspondence should be addressed to Miss A. Weaver at the Research and Teaching Centre, Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Northfield, Birmingham, B31 2AP, UK
BritSpine 2002, the second combined meeting of the British Association of Spinal Surgeons, the British Cervical Spine Society, The British Scoliosis Society and the Society for Back Pain Research, took place at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham UK between 27th February and 1st March 2002. The following presentations and posters were given and displayed.
