Effects of Aerobic Exercise on Inflammatory Biomarkers, Pain Intensity, and Quality of Life in Patients with Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Discuss this preprint
Start a discussion What are Sciety discussions?Listed in
This article is not in any list yet, why not save it to one of your lists.Abstract
Background
Non-specific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP) is a major cause of disability worldwide and is associated with low-grade systemic inflammation. This study investigated the effects of aerobic exercise on inflammatory biomarkers, pain intensity, and quality of life among individuals with NSCLBP.
Methods
In this parallel-group randomized controlled trial, 41 participants with NSCLBP were allocated to either an aerobic exercise plus health education group (n=21) or a health education-only control group (n=20). Participants in the intervention group completed supervised aerobic cycling three times weekly for 12 weeks. Outcome assessors and laboratory personnel were blinded to group allocation. Outcomes were measured at baseline, Week 8, and Week 12.
Results
Significant Time × Group interaction effects were observed for TNF-α (p=0.046), IL-6 (p<0.001), hs-CRP (p<0.001), and pain intensity (p<0.001). Significant improvements were also observed across all WHOQOL-BREF quality-of-life domains (all p<0.05). After adjustment for baseline values and age, participants in the intervention group had significantly lower Week 12 IL-6 (p=0.013), hs-CRP (p<0.001), and pain intensity (p<0.001) than controls. No serious adverse events were reported.
Conclusions
Aerobic exercise combined with health education produced greater improvements in inflammatory biomarkers, pain intensity, and quality of life than health education alone among individuals with NSCLBP. These findings support the integration of structured aerobic exercise into rehabilitation programmes for chronic low back pain.
SUMMARY BOX
What is already known on this topic
-
Non-specific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP) is associated with persistent pain, reduced quality of life, and low-grade systemic inflammation.
-
Aerobic exercise is recommended for NSCLBP management and can improve pain and physical function.
-
The effects of aerobic exercise on inflammatory biomarkers in individuals with NSCLBP remain incompletely understood.
What this study adds
-
A 12-week supervised aerobic exercise programme significantly improved IL-6, hs-CRP, pain intensity, and quality of life compared with health education alone.
-
The beneficial effects of aerobic exercise remained significant after adjustment for baseline differences and age.
-
No serious adverse events were reported during the intervention period.
How this study might affect research, practice or policy
-
Structured aerobic exercise may be incorporated into routine rehabilitation programmes for individuals with NSCLBP.
-
The findings support the use of accessible, low-cost exercise interventions in low-resource settings.
-
Future studies should investigate the long-term sustainability and mechanisms of exercise-induced improvements.
