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. 2017 Jun 30;13(3):363-371.
doi: 10.12965//jer.1734932.466. eCollection 2017 Jun.

Comparative effectiveness of two stabilization exercise positions on pain and functional disability of patients with low back pain

Affiliations

Comparative effectiveness of two stabilization exercise positions on pain and functional disability of patients with low back pain

Adesola Ojo Ojoawo et al. J Exerc Rehabil. .

Abstract

The study investigated the effects of two stabilization exercise positions (prone and supine) on pain intensity (PI) and functional disability (FD) of patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP). The 56 subjects that completed the study were randomly assigned into stabilization in prone (SIP) (n=19), stabilization in supine (SIS) (n=20), and prone and supine (SIPS) position (n=17) groups. Subjects in all the groups received infrared radiation for 15 min and kneading massage at the low back region. Subjects in SIP, SIS, and SIPS groups received stabilization exercise in prone lying, supine lying and combination of both positions respectively. Treatment was applied twice weekly for eight weeks. PI and FD level of each subject were measured at baseline, 4th and 8th week of the treatment sessions. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The alpha level was set at P<0.05. Within-group comparison indicated that PI and FD at the 4th and 8th week were significantly reduced (P<0.001) when compared with baseline in all the three groups. However, the result showed that there was no significant difference in the PI and FD at the 8th week (P>0.05) of the treatment sessions across the three groups when compared. It can be concluded that stabilization exercises carried out in prone, supine and combination of the two positions were equally effective in managing pain and disability of patients with NSCLBP. However, no position was superior to the other.

Keywords: Functional disability; Pain intensity; Prone lying; Stabilization exercises; Supine lying.

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Conflict of interest statement

CONFLICT OF INTEREST No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Consort diagram of random allocation of subjects into the three groups.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Exercise 1: prone position lifting head and chest off the plinth from neutral position, with both arms by the side.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Exercise 2: prone lying position with alternate arm and leg lifted off the plinth from neutral to extension.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Exercise 3: prone lying with one leg lifted off the plinth with the hip hyper extended, knee extended and both arms stretched forward on the plinth.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Exercise 4: supine lying alternate arm and leg lifted off the plinth from neutral position with the arm extended, knee and hip flexed.
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Exercise 5: supine lying knee drag to chest from neutral position with both arms on the plinth.
Fig. 7
Fig. 7
Exercise 6: mini curl up: subject slightly lifted the head and neck off the plinth.

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