Effectiveness of Dynamic Stretching Exercises Program on Back Pain among BSc (N) Internship students in Kanyakumari district.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a dynamic stretching exercise program (DSEP) on back pain (BP) and exercise among BSc (N) Internship students in Kanyakumari district. A total of 127 students, who had been experiencing BP for longer than 6 months and had BP with pain scores greater than 4 on the Visual Analogue Scale for Pain (VASP), were randomly assigned to an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group (n = 64) followed an SEP, whereas the control group (n = 63) was directed to perform usual activities for 50 minutes per time, three times a week. Data were collected at four time points: at baseline, and 2, 4, and 6 months after the intervention. During the 6-month follow-up, the experimental group had significantly lower VASP scores than did the control group at the second, fourth, and sixth months. In addition, the experimental group showed significantly higher exercise self-efficacy than did the control group at the fourth and sixth months. A total of 81% of the participants in the experimental group reported a moderate to high level of BP relief. The findings can be used to enhance the students to reduce the back pain while doing the work.DSE is an effective and safe nonpharmacological intervention for the management of BP.