Investigation of the effectiveness of developed multimedia instructions and face-to-face instructions for trunk stabilization exercises on pain severity, disability and gait in patients with chronic LOW back pain

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of teaching trunk stabilization exercises with face-to-face and multimedia instructions on treatment outcomes in patients with chronic low back pain. Multimedia instructions based on current motor control principles were prepared. This multimedia instructions were compared with face-to-face instructions in a randomized controlled study. In the study, both groups received the same treatments for 8 weeks. Only the exercise teaching instructions were differentiated. In each treatment session, myofascial release techniques and joint mobilizations were applied to the patients. The exercises were made difficult according to objective progression criteria. Measurements were made before treatment, after treatment and 1 month after the end of treatment as follow-up measurements. Pain, disability, exercise compliance and spatiotemporal gait parameters were measured with Visual Analog Scale, Oswestry Disability Questionnaire, Exercise Adharence Rating Scale and Optogait device respectively. After the treatment, similar improvements were observed in pain and disability values in both groups. In addition, the exercise adherence of both groups was found to be similar. Similar improvements were observed in the step lengths in both groups after the treatment. Developed multimedia instructions were found to be as effective as face-to-face instructions. New approaches are needed to improve exercise compliance.