The effect of exercıse program on exercıse perceptıon and fear of movement ın low back paın

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the effects of a home exercise program on trunk flexibility, exercise benefits/barriers perceptions, and fear of movement in individuals with nonspecific low back pain (NLBP). METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial, 65 individuals with NLBP were allocated by the closed-envelope method into either a home exercise group or a control group. The home exercise group received a four-week exercise intervention, while the control group received no intervention. Assessments included a demographic data form (gender, height, weight), the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain intensity, the Exercise Benefits/Barriers Scale (EBBS) for exercise perceptions, the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK) for fear of movement, and trunk flexibility measurements. This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05433311). RESULTS: Significant differences were observed between groups in VAS and TSK scores before and after treatment (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found in trunk flexibility (p > 0.05). Post-intervention EBBS scores in the exercise group demonstrated a non-significant numerical improvement in the total score and subscales. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that a home exercise program positively influences perceptions of exercise benefits/barriers and reduces fear of movement in individuals with NLBP. Incorporating home exercise into rehabilitation programs may therefore add value to treatment.