# The Effect of Seated Elliptical Exercise on Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

## TL;DR

A study found that using a seated elliptical machine for six weeks can reduce chronic low back pain and pain interference, but not overall physical or mental health.

## Contribution

This study provides empirical evidence that seated elliptical exercise can alleviate chronic low back pain when used alongside standard care.

## Key findings

- Seated elliptical exercise significantly reduced pain intensity and interference in chronic low back pain patients.
- Improvements in pain outcomes were observed from the first week of the intervention.
- No significant changes were found in global physical or mental health measures.

## Abstract

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a prevalent health problem affecting a large portion of the population at some point in their lives, particularly with the increase in sedentary lifestyles, leading to significant disability and healthcare costs. This study evaluates the efficacy of seated elliptical exercise on chronic LBP, hypothesizing that daily use over a period of six weeks can reduce pain levels and improve functional health measures as measured by the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS).

Methods: A randomized controlled trial involving 54 participants with chronic LBP was conducted, comparing a six-week seated elliptical exercise plan plus standard care against standard care alone. Outcome measures included the PROMIS Pain Intensity, Pain Interference, and Global Physical and Mental Health scores.

Results: The intervention group showed significant improvements in Pain Intensity (60.97±6.38 vs 57.41±6.98; P<0.001) and Pain Interference (62.61±7.10 vs 59.32±8.64; P<0.001), starting from the first week of exercise. While pain outcomes improved, no significant changes were observed in Global Physical and Mental Health measures.

Conclusion: Seated elliptical exercise might help reduce the pain in chronic LBP. This could be a promising intervention to relieve the pain or even prevent LBP, especially in individuals with a sedentary lifestyle.