The Power of Walking to Prevent Low Back Pain with Tash Pocovi, PhD

In this episode, Joe Tatta, PT, DPT, speaks with physiotherapist and researcher Tash Pocovi, PhD about her groundbreaking study in the Lancet on the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of an individualized, progressive walking and education intervention for the prevention of low back pain recurrence.

The trial, known as the Walk Back Trial, involved 24 physiotherapists across Australia who delivered an individualized and progressive walking program along with education. The participants, who were mostly sedentary, were given walking prescriptions tailored to their current activity levels, age, BMI, and comorbidities. The goal was to gradually increase their walking to 30 minutes most days of the week over six months.

The results were promising, showing a relative risk reduction in low back pain recurrences and a reduction in care-seeking episodes. This has significant implications for both individual health and healthcare system burdens, highlighting the potential of simple interventions like walking combined with education.

Dr. Pocovi also discussed the cost-effectiveness of the intervention, noting that it was highly likely to be cost-effective based on willingness-to-pay thresholds. The biggest savings were seen in reduced work absenteeism.

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Thank you for listening, 

Joe Tatta, PT, DPT  CEO, Integrative Pain Science Institute