AIM: To develop an exercise program to manage tank soldiers with low back pain, and an evaluation of primary curative effect was performed. METHODS: The investigation was done in an armored division based in northwestern cold highland from January to August 2005. 128 tank soldiers of the division were selected out by inquiring history information and doing physical examination, and all of them were voluntary to take part into the trial. They were randomly assigned to 3 groups, 43 in low-intensity group, 43 in progressive-intensity group, and 42 in control group. A 8-step exercise program was designed: hip joint flexor exercise, strait leg raising exercise, knee to chest exercise, neck and shoulder raising exercise, neck adherent exercise, supine trunk raising exercise, back extension exercise, chest protrusion and hip extension exercise. According to the living conditions of tank soldier, two different-intensity protocols were planned for the low-intensity group and the progressive-intensity group, respectively. 1 In the low-intensity group, participants were inquired to repeat every step exercise of the 8-step exercise program 10 times in one of 3 treatments in a week, and the treatment lasted for 12 weeks. 2 In the progressive-intensity group, the exercise program, the frequency of treatment and the duration of treatment all were similar to those in the low-intensity group, 3 times a week, but 5 times of repeating every step exercise increased every week except the first week (repeating 10 times), and 30 times of repeating lasted to the end of the treatment for the 12th week. 3 In the control group participants were treated with ultrashort wave therapy equipment, microcalorie, 20 minutes every time, 3 times per week for 12 weeks. The symptom, low back pain and treatment satisfaction were assessed before treatment (baseline), after treatment 4, 12 (interfering period), 24 weeks (follow-up period). (1) The revised Chinese-version Oswestry Back Disability Questionnaire (OSW): a self-scored scale, ranging from 0 to 50 points, a high score reflected a high rate of pain-indicated limitations. (2) The revised Roland-Morris Questionnaire (RMQ): ranging from 0 to 24 points, reflecting functional disability due to low back. Pain, a high score reflected a high disability rate. (3) The 10 cm visual analogue scale (VAS): an object-self-ticked scale, ranging from 0 to 10 cm, the length means the degree of low back pain. (4) The satisfaction with treatment: including 5 levels, 5 as very satisfied, 1 as disappointed. (5) The alleviation of symptoms: also classified into 5 levels, 5 as almost disappeared, 1 as worsened. RESULTS: All participants but one finished all assessments; the withdrawal in the control group was caused by military redeployment. Comparison of score of each scales, degree of satisfaction and subjective alleviation of symptom: at the end of the treatment period (12 weeks) and during follow up (24 weeks), the scores of OSW, RMQ, and VAS of the low-intensity group and the progressive-intensity group were significantly lower than those in the control group (t = -3.46 to 2.35, p <= 0.05 to 0.01), and the satisfaction with treatment and the alleviation of symptoms of those two groups were very higher than those of the control group (t = 3.23 to 5.05, p < 0.01). The outcome measures showed that comparable improvements were gained in the low-intensity group and the progressive-intensity group at different time point, and the difference was insignificant (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: This pilot trial proved that low back pain of tank soldiers can be significantly alleviated, and the functional condition of low back will be restored with the 8-step exercise program. It was feasible, compliable, and efficacious in the management of tank soldiers with low back pain. But some further research and well-designed trial are needed to consolidate these results.

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