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. 2025 May 13;15(10):1229.
doi: 10.3390/diagnostics15101229.

Impact of Hip Exercises on Postural Stability and Function in Patients with Chronic Lower Back Pain

Inhwan Leem  1   2 , Gyu Bin Lee  3 , Ji Won Wang  3 , Sang Woo Pyun  3 , Chang-Jun Kum  2 , Jin Hyuck Lee  3 , Hyeong-Dong Kim  1
Affiliations

Impact of Hip Exercises on Postural Stability and Function in Patients with Chronic Lower Back Pain

Inhwan Leem et al. Diagnostics (Basel). .

Abstract

Background and Objective: This study aimed to compare functional and clinical outcomes between patients with chronic non-specific lower back pain (NSLBP) with restricted hip extension mobility who performed spinal stabilization exercises with hip mobilization either with or without additional hip exercises. Methods: A total of 42 patients with chronic NSLBP with restricted hip extension mobility were enrolled (21 with and 21 without additional hip exercises). Functional and clinical outcomes were assessed based on hip joint mobility, back extensor endurance, postural stability, and patient-reported outcomes, including visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores. Results: A significant group-time interaction was identified for postural stability (Rt: p < 0.001, Lt: p = 0.002) and the ODI (p = 0.004). After the intervention, the group with additional hip exercises demonstrated significantly greater improvements in postural stability (Rt: p < 0.001; Lt: p = 0.01) and ODI scores (p < 0.001) compared with the group without additional hip exercises. However, no significant main group effect or group-time interaction was observed for the hip joint mobility, back extensor endurance, or VAS scores (all p > 0.05). Furthermore, the ODI score (r2 = 0.123, p = 0.023) was an independent predictor of hip joint mobility but not the VAS score (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Hip exercises may improve postural stability and function in patients with chronic NSLBP with restricted hip extension mobility. Notably, clinicians and therapists must recognize the importance of hip exercises during rehabilitation of patients with chronic NSLBP with restricted hip extension mobility.

Keywords: Oswestry disability index; chronic non-specific lower back pain; modified Thomas test; postural stability; restricted hip extension mobility.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding this study.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Study flowchart.
Figure 2
Figure 2
(A) Hip joint mobility, (B) back extensor endurance, and (C) postural stability tests.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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