The evaluation of core stability and physical activity in chronic low back pain

Objective: Our aim is; evaluating core stability and physical activity in low back pain. Method: Thirty patients with chronic low back pain and thirty control included the study. A pain relief treatment was applied to low back pain patients during 15 days. The treatment includes; TENS, ultrasound, hot pack and exercises. Before and after treatment 4 core stability tests (sorensen, flexion endurance, bilateral side plank, prone plank), physical activity (The International Physical Activity Questionnaire-IPAQ), pain (Visual Analogue Scale-VAS), disability (Oswestry Disability Questionnaire) and depression (Beck Depression Questionnaire) assessment was done to low back pain patients. Core stability and physical activity assessment was done to control group. Results: After the treatment core stability increased statistically in low back pain group (p<0,05), 'sorensen' (p=0,00), 'prone plank' (p=0,004), 'right side plank' (p=0,002), 'left side plank ' (p=0,00), flexion endurance (p=0,009), phsical activity didn't change (p>0,05). Between the goups; 'sorensen' (p=0,007) and 'right side plank' (p=0,046) was statistically different, physical activity was not (p>0,05). In low back pain group there was no correlation between core stability and physical activity (p>0,05). Conclusion: After treatment core stability increases, physical activity doesn't change in chronic low back pain. Physical activity is not different between low back pain patients and controls, core stability is different and stability is higher in controls. There was no correlation between core stability and physical activity in chronic low back pain. Key Words: Chronic low back pain, core stability, physical activity