Effects of exercise and local decompression device on pain and disability in patients with chronic low back pain

Low back pain is an important health problem affecting people from all age groups globally. In addition to high health costs, it is important to be treated because it causes loss of workforce and economic burden. The aim of this study is to compare the effects of lumbar stabilization exercise therapy applied to individuals with chronic low back pain and local decompression device therapy applied in addition to this treatment on lumbar joint range of motion (mobility), pain and disability. In the study, 30 volunteer participants were randomly randomized into 2 groups, Experimental and Control groups, using the closed envelope method. The lumbar joint range of motion measurement of the participants was evaluated with a goniometer, the pain intensity they felt with the Visual Analog Scale, and their functional status (disability) with the Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Scale before and after the treatment, in total, twice. While both lumbar stabilization exercise therapy and local decompression device therapy were applied to the participants in the experimental group, only lumbar stabilization exercise therapy was applied to the control group, and both treatments were applied five days a week for a total of 20 sessions for four weeks. At the end of the treatment, there were significant improvements in all parameters examined in both groups compared to the pre-treatment (p<0.05). When the experimental group and the control group were compared, no significant superiority was observed trunk extension in mobility and sexual life parameters in functional status (p>0.05), while the experimental group was superior in other parameters examined (p<0.05). According to the resulting data, both treatment methods can be used to reduce pain intensity, increase mobility and improve functional status in patients with chronic low back pain. Keywords: Chronic Low Back Pain, Decompression, Exercise, Pain.