EFFECT OF CORE STABILITY EXERCISES VERSUS MYOFASCIAL RELEASE TECHNIQUE COMBINED WITH CORE STABILITY EXERCISES IN THE MANAGEMENT OF LOW BACK PAIN

Abstract

OBJECTIVES To compare the effectiveness of Core Stability with Myofascial release technique and Core Stability Exercises alone in the management of low back pain. STUDY DESIGN Randomized Control Trial (RCT). STUDY SETTINGS & PARTICIPANTS The study was conducted on 44 patients with low back pain in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, at tertiary care Hospital. INTERVENTIONS The participants were divided into group A (n=22) and group B (n=22) into Core Stability Exercises and Core Stability Exercises applied with Myofascial release technique respectively. Each group was provided interventions for 03 times weekly for 06 weeks, with a minimum of a 1 day gap between the 2 sessions. The Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) was utilized to assess pain, The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) was utilized to assess the disability associated with LBP, and Rehabilitative Ultrasound imaging was used to provide multifidus muscle thickness. RESULTS The main effects analysis showed that the Core Stability Exercises applied with Myofascial release technique proved to be more effective than the Core Stability Exercises alone, reducing pain, functional disability and improving muscle mass of Lumber Multifidus (p <0.05) in patients with low back pain. CONCLUSIONS Core Stability Exercises applied with Myofascial release techniques effectively reduce pain and functional disability when compared to core stability exercises.