Effect of 6-week lumbar stabilization exercise performed on stable versus unstable surfaces in automobile assembly workers with mechanical chronic low back pain

Abstract

Background: Automobile assembly workers repeatedly place burdens on their lumbar regions, which can lead to mechanical chronic low back pain.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the effects of lumbar stabilization exercises performed on a stable or unstable surface on lumbar pain, muscle strength, stability, disability, and depression in patients with chronic low back pain.

Methods: Twenty-four patients were randomly allocated to a stable or unstable surface group (n = 12 each). Both groups performed each lumbar stabilization exercise for 30 minutes daily five times per week for 6 weeks. Lumbar pain, muscle strength, stability, disability, and depression were assessed before and after intervention.

Results: After 6 weeks of training, lumbar pain, stability, disability, and depression improved significantly, whereas muscle strength did not. All post-test values in the unstable surface group improved significantly more than those in the stable surface group.

Conclusions: Our findings indicate the more favorable effects of an unstable exercise surface in patients with chronic low back pain. However, further studies are needed to confirm our findings.

Keywords: Workers; lumbar stabilization exercise; stable surface; unstable surface.