The effect of lumbar stabilization exercises on lowback pain and lower extremity muscle strength inpatients with chronic non-specific low back pain

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of lumbar stabilization exercises on low back pain, functional status, core endurance and lower extremity muscle strength in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain. A total of twenty patients (14 women and 12 men aged between 25-55 years) with chronic low back pain were included into our study. Patients underwent core stabilization exercise for a total of 8 weeks in the form of a program with a physiotherapist for 3 weeks and then home program for 5 weeks. Evaluations were performed at the beginning, at the end of the third week and at the end of the 8th week. VAS for assessing pain, Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire and Oswestry Disability Index for evaluating disability, straight-leg lowering test for core strength, prone transversus abdominis test for evaluating transversus abdominis activation, flexor endurance test, lateral muscular test, supine bridge test and prone bridge test for evaluating core endurance and MicroFET3 manual muscle dynamometer for evaluating hip circumference muscle strength were used. While VAS movement and VAS resting scores decreased significantly after treatment when compared with baseline values; the decrease in VAS night scores was statistically insignificant. In the Oswestry Disability Questionnaire and the Roland Morris Inadequacy Questionnaire, no significant improvement was found in the 3rd week scores but the improvement in the 8th week was found to be significant compared to baseline. Transversus abdominis recruitment was significantly increased at the end of the 8th week. The results of the straight-leg lowering test at 8th week showed significant improvement compared to baseline. A significant increase was found at the 8th week values of the Flexion Endurance Test, Left Lateral Muscular Test, Right Lateral Muscular Test, Prone Bridge Test, Supin Bridge Test Durations, which are used to evaluate core endurance, when compared with baseline values. There was a significant increase in the 8th week muscle strength values of the hip circumference, except the external rotator of the left hip and internal rotator muscle strength of the right hip when compared with baseline scores. Lumbar stabilization exercises were found to be effective and safe on pain and functionality in chronic nonspecific back pain consistent with many previous studies. In addition, hip circumference muscle strength is increased. Based on the results of our study, we can recommend lumbar stabilization exercises to patients with low back pain as an effective, safe and sustainable exercise method after short-term supervision.