AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY OF OPD MANAGEMENT VERSUS HOME MANAGEMENT IN LOW BACK ACHE PATIENTS

Objective: To study the effectiveness of OPD management versus home management in low back ache patients.

Material and Method: Participants aged between 27 to 55 years suffering from low back pain for more than 3 months were inducted in the study. They were divided into two groups, one which was provided intervention at home and the other which was given physiotherapy in OPD setting.

Interventions: A pre and post assessment was done at 4 months based on Oswestry low back pain disability questionnaire. Analysis was done by application of Independent sample t test. P value less than 0.04 was taken as significant.

Results: A total of 10 participants were equally divided for OPD and home management. Oswestry low back pain disability questionnaire was administered pre and post intervention and Independent T test was applied to find the difference between the mean pre test and post test scores for OPD and home managed patients which were taken 4 months apart. A significant difference was observed as p value was < 0.00.

Conclusions: The study concluded that OPD management for chronic low back ache not only reduce the pain but also reduces chance of disability. But patient satisfaction was higher in home manage group in comparison to OPD in personal care.