Chronic Low Back Pain
Conditions
Keywords
low back pain, clinical trial, stabilization, muscle stretching exercises, exercise therapy
Brief summary
The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of three exercise programs in patients with chronic low back pain: Segmental stabilization, superficial strengthening and stretching. Groups were contrasted regarding pain, functional disability and TrA muscle activation capacity. The three groups of exercise improved pain and functional disabilities, and the Segmental stabilization group was better in the ability to recruit TrA muscle.
Detailed description
Objective: To contrast the efficacy of three exercise programs, segmental stabilization and strengthening of abdominal and trunk muscle and lumbar stretching on pain, functional impairment, and activation of the transversus abdominis muscle (TrA), in individuals with chronic low back pain. Design: Forty-five patients were randomized into three groups namely: Segmental stabilization group (ES)(transversus abdominis and lumbar multifidus) (n=15, mean age 42,02 ± 8,15), superficial strengthening group (FS)(rectus abdominis, oblique abdominal muscles and erector spinae muscles) (n=15, mean age 41,71±6,41) and stretching group (AL) (erector spinae, posterior connective tissues and ischiotibials muscles) (n=15 mean age 41,53 ± 4,41). Groups were contrasted regarding pain (visual analogical scale and McGill pain questionnaire), functional disability (Oswestry disability questionnaire) and TrA muscle activation capacity (Pressure Biofeedback Unit = PBU). The program lasted 6 weeks, and sessions happened twice a week, with duration of 30 minutes each. Analysis of variance was used for inter and intragroup comparisons. Significance level was established at 5%. Patients attended two weekly sessions during six weeks and were evaluated for pain (visual analogue scale and McGill Pain Questionnaire), functional disability (Oswestry disability index), and ability to contract the TrA (Pressure biofeedback unit) before and after the treatment. The treatment program consisted of 30 minutes sessions. The Anova one-way and Tukey´s Post Hoc were used to compare groups. The significance level adopted was 5%.
Interventions
OTHERStabilization , strengthening and stretching
Interventions were conducted over 6 weeks, twice per week, lasting 30 minutes each. Sessions were supervised by the investigator, and participants were instructed to report any adverse event. Groups were instructed not to participate in any other physical program during the study. Forty-five patients were randomized into three groups namely: Segmental stabilization group (ES)(transversus abdominis and lumbar multifidus), superficial strengthening group (FS)(rectus abdominis, oblique abdominal muscles and erector spinae muscles) and stretching group (AL) (erector spinae, posterior connective tissues and ischiotibials muscles). Patients were evaluated for pain , functional disability,and ability to contract the TrA before and after the treatment.
Sponsors
Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo
University of Sao Paulo General Hospital
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Investigator)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
23 Years to 53 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* low back pain for more than 3 months * patients willing to participate and could participate in an exercise program safely and without cognitive impairments that would limit their participation.
Exclusion criteria
* past history of back surgery * rheumatologic disorders * spine infections * spine exercise training in the 3 months before study onset.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Pain (visual analogical scale and McGill pain questionnaire) | Six weeks |
| Functional disability (Oswestry disability questionnaire) | Six weeks |
| TrA muscle activation capacity (Pressure Biofeedback Unit = PBU) | Six weeks |
Countries
Brazil
Outcome results
None listed