Mechanical Low Back Pain (MLBP) is a physical problem that may be influenced by psychosocial variables like fear-avoidance beliefs, catastrophic thinking and perceived disability. Progressive Goal Attainment Programme (PGAP) is an activity based on psychosocial intervention that can be administered by physiotherapists. Evidence from literature suggests that PGAP may improve rehabilitation outcomes for individuals with chronic MLBP but its efficacy has not been evaluated in acute and sub-acute MLBP patients. Hence, this study was carried out to investigate the effects of PGAP as an adjuvant to standard treatment on selected pain and psychosocial characteristics in patients with MLBP. The pilot study was anchored on the Bio-psychomotor theory of pain.

Twelve consecutively selected individuals (10 females; 2 males) newly diagnosed of MLBP participated in this experimental design. Participants were randomly assigned into experimental group (EG) and control group (CG). Both groups received the standard treatment for MLBP while the EG received PGAP in addition. Participants pain intensity, pain catastrophising, kinesiophobia, perceived disability and self-efficacy were assessed using Quadruple Visual Analogue Scale (QVAS), Pain Catastrophising Scale (PCS), Tampa Scale for kinesiophobia (TSK), Revised Oswestry Disability Questionnaire (RODQ) and Self Efficacy in rehabilitation Scale (SES) respectively. Assessment was carried out at baseline, end of 5th and 10^th week of treatment. Data was analyzed using the descriptive statistics of mean, standard deviation and percentages. Inferential Statistics of Mann-Whitney U and Friedmann ANOVA was used with level of significance set at p=0.05.

Participants (EG= 4 Females; 2 males; CG=6 females) were aged 42.0±7.51years. The EG and CG were comparable in weight (77.33±15.03kg; 72.50±4.04kg), height (1.66 ± 0.14m; 1.58±0.02m) and age (40.67 ± 10.33years; 43.3 ± 3.61years) at baseline. At baseline, the mean scores of pain intensity (9.33±1.03; 9.00±0.89); PCS (30.67±10.44; 27.67±9.97), TSK (39.67±5.47; 42.67±1.86); RODQ (63.33±12.69; 58.67±9.00) for EG and CG respectively were not significantly different. SES (100.00±12.43; 70.00±24.12) for EG and CG respectively was significantly different at baseline. Between group comparison at the end of the 10th week revealed that the mean scores of pain intensity (4.33 ± 2.68; 7.67 ± 2.23), PCS (13.67 ± 9.85; 25.00 ± 14.06); RODQ (53.33 ± 10.33; 54.67±10.33) for EG and CG respectively were not significantly different. At the end of 10th week, EG had significant reduction in mean scores for TSK (34.67±3.72; 42.00±2.68) than the CG. The EG had significant increase in SES (111.67±4.03; 72.00±26.03) than the CG at the end of the 10 weeks intervention period. Within group comparison showed significant decrease in EG’s mean score for pain intensity (P=0.07) and TSK (P=0.009) over the 10th week intervention period.

The outcome of this pilot study revealed that Progressive Goal Attainment Programme is a promising intervention to augment standard treatment in patients with Mechanical Low Back Pain. Progressive Goal Attainment Programme could be incorporated into treatment for these individuals.