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Effects of core-stabilization and dynamic strengthening exercises on patients with non-specific chronic low back pain in Lagos: A pilot study


A.K. Akodu
T.O. Ajepe
J.O. Onwuazombe

Abstract

Objectives: Exercise is the most widely used form of treatment adopted for gaining relief from low back pain. But the efficacy of core stabilization and dynamic strengthening exercise on cardiopulmonary parameters of non-specific chronic low back pain patients needs to be established. This study therefore compared the effects of core stabilization and dynamic strengthening exercises on pain related disability and selected cardiopulmonary parameters in patients with non-specific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP).
Methods: A total of 20 (44.55±10.78years) NSCLBP patients participated in this study. They were assigned into two different groups. Group A and B received core stabilization exercise and dynamic strengthening exercise respectively. Participants went through this protocol twice weekly for 4 consecutive weeks and were thereafter assessed for pain-related disability, and selected cardiopulmonary parameters.
Results: The result of this study revealed that both exercises (core stabilization and dynamic) improved pain–related disability (p=0.011; p=0.004) and some cardiopulmonary parameters in peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) (p= 0.001, P=0.034) and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) (P=0.001, P=0.001) Pulse rate (PR) (P=0.042, P=0.005).
Conclusions: This study showed that both interventions (core stabilization and dynamic strengthening exercise) led to similar result in managing pain-related disability and selected cardiopulmonary parameters except in systolic blood pressure (SBP), Diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) in patients with NSCLBP when between groups comparison was done.


Keywords: Exercise, cardiopulmonary assessment, chronic low back pain, pilot study


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eISSN: 2467-8252
print ISSN: 2360-7793