The effect of two different exercises on physical function in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain

...Purpose: Study was planned to determine the effect of two different exercise programconsisting of stabilization and classical trunk exercise, on physical function in patients withchronic non-specific low back pain.Material and Methods: Sixty two (thirty female, thirty two male) patients who admitted toAda Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Center in Salihli, Manisa on between March 2009-December 2009 and were diagnosed with chronic non-specific low back pain were included inthis study. Patients were divided into two group as stabilization (group 1) and classical trunk(group 2) exercise. Fourteen sessions of electrotherapy and eight-week exercise programwere applied to each patient. Patients? demographic informations, duration of illness,smoking, work status, level of pain intensity, level of disability and physical performancewere also investigated. Evaluations were performed before and after 8-week exerciseprogram. Intensity of pain was assessed using Visual Analog Scale (VAS), level of disabilitywas assessed using Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) and level of physicalperformance was assessed using Physical Performance Test Battery (PPT). Data analysis wasmade using paired samples test, by the help of SPSS 15.0 program.Results: It was found that male?s ratio was greater than that of female?s in both groups. Preobesepatients, smokers and the primary level patients in both groups were also observed inthe majority. The severity of pain and disability levels of patients in both groups beforetreatment were found to be significantly reduced. It was found that stabilization exerciseswere more effective in reducing the severity of pain and disability (p<0.05). When there wasa significant increase compared to before treatment in degree of lumbar flexion, 5-minutewalking and loaded forward reach tests of physical performance; a significant decrease wasfound in 50-foot walk, chair sit-stand and 10 repeated trunk flexion tests. When stabilization4exercises were more effective in degree of lumbar flexion, loaded forward reach, chair sitstand,10 repeated trunk flexion tests; classical trunk exercises were more effective in 5-minute walking and 50-foot walk tests was found (p<0.05).Conclusion: In conclusion, it was found that stabilization exercises were more effective thanclassical trunk exercises in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain in reducing theseverity of pain and disability levels. While stabilization exercises were more effective indegree of lumbar flexion, chair sit-stand, 10 repeated trunk flexion, loaded forward reach testsof physical performance; classical trunk exercises were more effective in 50-foot walk and 5-minute walking tests of physical performance was concluded.Key Words: Low back pain, stabilization exercise, classical trunk exercise, physical function