Affiliation:
1. İZMİR ÖZEL EMOT PLUS HASTANESİ
2. ADNAN MENDERES UNIVERSITY, FACULTY OF MEDICINE
3. Medicana İnternational Hospital
Abstract
Objective
The aim of this study is to investigate the effect
of lumbar stabilization exercises (LSE) on pain,
functional capacity, quality of life, and balance in
patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP), and also
to evaluate the effect on the cross-sectional area of
the lumbar multifidus muscle.
Material and Method
Sixty-six patients with CLBP were enrolled,
randomized, and divided into two groups. LSE,
transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS),
and hot pack treatments were performed in Group
1 (n=28). In Group 2 (n=37), TENS and hot pack
treatments were performed only. Pre and 8-week
post-treatment assessments were made. Visual
Analog Scale (VAS) was used to evaluate pain.
Modified Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Roland
Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) were used
to evaluate the functional disability. Short Form-36
(SF-36) was used to measure the quality of life. In
the assessment of balance, a Tetrax® posturography
device (Sunlight Medical Ltd, Israel) was used and fall
index (FI) was calculated. The cross-sectional area of
multifidus muscles was measured by ultrasonography.
Results
Significant improvements regarding the crosssectional
area of multifidus musclesand subparameters
of SF-36 named physical role, pain,
mental health, and energy/vitality were determined in
Group 1 compared to Group 2 (p˂0.05). No significant
difference was present between the groups regarding
FI, VAS score, RMDQ, ODI, and balance.
Conclusion
Lumbar stabilization exercises in patients with chronic
low back pain multifidus positively affects crosssectional
area and quality of life. For our sample,
the addition of lumbar stabilization exercises to
the conventional physical therapy program does
not provides an additional contribution in terms of
balance, pain and disability.
Publisher
Medical Journal of Suleyman Demirel University