OBJECTIVE: To assess a comprehensive multicomponent intervention against a low intensity intervention for promoting physical activity in chronic low back pain patients. DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial. SETTING: Inpatient rehabilitation and aftercare. SUBJECTS: A total of 412 patients with chronic low back pain. INTERVENTIONS: A multicomponent intervention (movement coaching) comprising of small group intervention (twice during inpatient rehabilitation), tailored telephone aftercare (twice after rehabilitation) and internet-based aftercare (web 2.0 platform) versus a low level intensity intervention (two general presentations on physical activity, download of the presentations). MAIN MEASURES: Physical activity was measured using a questionnaire. Primary outcome was total physical activity; secondary outcomes were setting specific physical activity (transport, workplace, leisure time) and pain. Comparative group differences were evaluated six months after inpatient rehabilitation. RESULTS: At six months follow-up, 92 participants in movement coaching (46%) and 100 participants in the control group (47%) completed the postal follow-up questionnaire. No significant differences between the two groups could be shown in total physical activity (p = 0.30). In addition to this, workplace (p = 0.53), transport (p = 0.68) and leisure time physical activity (p = 0.21) and pain (p = 0.43) did not differ significantly between the two groups. In both groups, physical activity decreased during the six months follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The multicomponent intervention was no more effective than the low intensity intervention in promoting physical activity at six months follow-up. The decrease in physical activity in both groups is an unexpected outcome of the study and indicates the need for further research.

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