Maitland Mobilization versus Core Stability Exercises in Management Chronic Nonspecific LBP

Abstract

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is one of the main causes that affect mechanical function in human bodies worldwide, 90% of the cases with non-specific LBP. Different options are available for the management of non-specific LBP. While Maitland mobilization and core stability exercises are usually utilized in clinical practice for managing Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain, there is now a lack of research examining their comparative effectiveness. Objective: The objective of this study is to assess and compare the efficiency of Maitland mobilization and core stability exercise as treatment modalities for adults suffering from chronic non-specific low back pain. Methods: A total of 36 Non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) patients with ages 18 to 45 years were inducted and given their Informed consent. Subjects were allocated into two groups through simple random sampling. Group A (N=18) received central posterior-anterior vertebral mobilization while group B (N=18) received core stability exercises. Pain and functional disability were assessed using the Visual Analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) respectively. Pre & post-treatment scores were documented and compared to achieve the aim of this study. Results: T-test indicated that the results pre- and post-treatment were showed a statistically positive significant difference by applying Maitland mobilization technique with non-specific LBP to improve functional disability (ODI) and reduce pain intensity (VAS) with (p = 0.001), respectively. On the other hand, results for the application of core stability exercises in management NSLBP also showed positive signs in reducing VAS and improving ODI with (p= 0.001) respectively. The findings suggest that there was no statistically significant difference between the Maitland mobilization technique and core stability exercises in treating NSLBP for pain reduction with (p = 0.312) and improvement in ODI with (p = 0.055). For applying Maitland mobilization in NSLBP, Pearson correlation results indicated that there was no relationship between body mass index (KG/M2) and functional disability (ODI) with (p = 0.034) and pain severity (VAS) with (p = 0.808). For core stability exercises, the results of Pearson's correlation indicated that there was no relationship between body mass index (KG/M2) and functional disability (ODI) with (p = 0.959) and pain intensity (VAS) with (p = 0.987). By gender, the results showed there were no statistically significant role for Maitland mobilization and core stability exercises in improving function and reducing pain among patients with chronic non-specific low back pain. Conclusion: Both core stability exercises and Maitland method have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing pain and improving functional disability in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain.