Affiliations: [a] Tribunal Regional do Trabalho da 13a Região, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil | [b] Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil | [c] Physical Therapy Department, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Gabriel Barreto Antonino, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Department of Physiotherapy. Jornalista Aníbal Fernandes Avanue, 173 – Cidade Universitária, Recife – PE, Zip Code: 50740-560, Brazil. Tel.: +55 83 99610 9134; E-mail: gabrielbarreto@live.com.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Spinal pain is an important public health issue that brings biopsychosocial problems. Global Postural Re-education (GPR) is one of its treatments. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the effects of GPR on pain, flexibility, and posture of individuals with non-specific low back pain and/or neck pain for more than six weeks. METHODS: The study enrolled 18 individuals, which were randomized into two groups: GPR group (GPRG; n= 09), submitted to 10 sessions of GPR and control group (CG; n= 09), not submitted to any technique. The evaluations were done before and after the GPRG sessions, for pain perception (Visual Analogue Scale – VAS), flexibility (finger-floor test) and posture (SAPO). The re-evaluation was done in the GPRG after the end of 10 treatment sessions and, in the GC, after the time equivalent to 10 sessions. The level of significance was set at p< 0.05. RESULTS: This pilot study has no homogeneity between groups. GPRG presented improvement in pain and flexibility, but showed no changes in posture. In the CG, there was no difference in the variables evaluated in this study. CONCLUSION: GPR had positive effects on pain and flexibility, but did not present a significant effect on posture.
Keywords: Low back pain, neck pain, flexibility, posture, Global Postural Re-education
