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. 2022 Mar 11;19(6):3324.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph19063324.

The Effectiveness of Group-Based Core Stability Exercise and Educational Booklet for Hospital Workers in Taiwan with Nonspecific Low Back Pain: A Preliminary Study

Ching-Yueh Lin  1   2 , Yung-Hsuan Liu  1   3 , Shu-Mei Chen  3   4 , Su-Chun Cheng  5 , Mei-Fang Liu  3   4
Affiliations

The Effectiveness of Group-Based Core Stability Exercise and Educational Booklet for Hospital Workers in Taiwan with Nonspecific Low Back Pain: A Preliminary Study

Ching-Yueh Lin et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

To investigate the effectiveness of health promotion strategies for nonspecific low back pain in hospital workers, we compared the therapeutic effects of group-based core stability exercises and an educational booklet. Subjects participated in a 60-min core stability exercise on a weekly basis for 8 weeks (N = 24) or consulted an educational booklet for advice (N = 22). The numerical rating scale (NRS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and the brief version of the World Health Organization’s Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) were used as outcome measures. The ODI, as well as the total score and domains of overall, physical, and psychological health in the WHOQOL-BREF were significantly improved in the exercise group (p < 0.05). The NRS score significantly improved in the booklet group (p < 0.05). The total score, psychological domain, and environmental domain of the WHOQOL-BREF improved significantly in the exercise group compared with the booklet group (p < 0.05). Group-based core stability exercises and educational booklets are helpful to hospital workers in different ways for nonspecific low back pain. In contrast to the pain reduction by the educational booklet, more active participation in group-based core stability exercise can provide a better outcome in the overall quality of life, especially in the psychological and environmental domains of hospital workers.

Keywords: disability; early management; exercise therapy; low back pain; occupational health; pain; quality of life; workplace.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flowchart.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Numerical rating scale: Mean scores with 95% confidence intervals at the pretest and posttest. ‡ Significant difference between pretest and posttest in the booklet group.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Oswestry Disability Index: Mean scores with 95% confidence intervals at the pretest and posttest. † Significant difference between pretest and posttest in the exercise group.
Figure 4
Figure 4
WHOQOL-BREF: Mean scores with 95% confidence intervals at the pretest and posttest. † Significant difference between pretest and posttest in the exercise group. * Significant difference between the two groups.
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