Effectiveness of the POLD Method as a Treatment in Elderly Patients with low back Pain

Abstract

Introduction: The POLD method, based on resonant mobilization, has shown to have a positive effect both in reducing pain and in the degree of disability in patients suffering low back pain.

Objective: To determine the efficiency of the POLD method in reducing pain in elderly patients with low back pain.

Materials and method: A quasi-experimental investigation was carried out including 30 elderly adults suffering low back pain, who signed an informed consent. The VAS and Oswestry scales were used to determine the level of pain and disability, respectively. The POLD technique was applied for approximately 20 minutes. The level of pain and disability were compared before and after the intervention using the Wilcoxon test with a probability level of 5%.

Results: The application of the POLD method showed to have a positive effect on diminishing pain which was evidenced by the decrease in pain level from 8 to 7 on the VAS scale, while the degree of disability in elderly remained within the disability moderate range, which varied from 21 to 40%. On the other hand, it was observed that the level of pain and disability was higher in women than in men.

Conclusion: The positive effect of the application of the POLD Method for low back pain disorders in elderly is demonstrated, suggesting this type of interventions should be used in other geriatric centers in Ecuador.