Effect of a corrective exercise program on gait kinetics and muscle activities in older adults with both low back pain and pronated feet: A double-blind, randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background: Low back pain is among the most common health problems seen in primary care. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a corrective exercise program on GRF components, back pain, disability score, and muscle activities in back pain patients with pronated feet during walking.

Research question: What is the effect of corrective exercise program on gait kinetics, back pain, disability score, and muscle activities in back pain patients with pronated feet during walking?

Methods: Thirty-six older adults with both back pain and pronated feet volunteered to participate in this study. They were randomly divided into two equal groups (experimental and control groups). Kinetic and EMG data were recorded during both pre and posttest. Visual analog pain scale and Roland-Morris disability questionnaire were used to assess back pain and disability values, respectively.

Results: In the experimental group but not in the control group, walking speed was significantly increased from pre to posttest (p = 0.001). The loading rate and free moment values were similar during both the pre and posttest (p > 0.05). In the experimental group but not in the control group, the disability score, back pain, tibialis anterior activity, and rectus abdominis activity were decreased during the posttest than that in the pretest (p < 0.001).

Significance: Higher walking speed, lower muscle activity and pain, lower disability score along with similar loading rate and free moments in the experimental group compared with the control group after the training protocol demonstrate the improvement of gait efficiency.

Keywords: Back pain; Exercise; Free moment; Loading rate.