PhD Conferral Mrs. Jeanette H. Saner-Bissig, MSc.

Keywords: low back pain, movement control impairment, exercise, motivation

"Specific or non-specific exercises for patients with low back pain and movement control impairment – What works?"

Low back pain (LBP) is a common disease. In most cases the cause of the pain is unknown. If the pain is related to altered movement patterns, a movement control impairment (MCI) can be diagnosed. Regular, specific or non-specific exercises over one year can improve function and pain in patients with LBP and MCI. The exercises are instructed by a physiotherapist in 9–18 treatments. This is followed by a home-exercise program twice or more times per week for the following year. Patients identified increased confidence, easily understandable exercises and a combination of exercises with self-initiated physical activity as motivational strategies to keep up with the home-exercises.