Effect of Stabilization Exercise on Pain and Disability in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain

The present study investigated the effect of stabilization exercise on chronic pain and disability in patients with chronic low back pain.

A total of 122 patients (44 males, 78 females) with non-specific chronic low back pain (NCLBP) were recruited from Orthopaedic Clinic of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi- Araba and National Orthopaedic Hospital Igbobi, Lagos, Nigeria. They were assigned to four different groups (1, 2, 3&4) using computer generated numbers. Group 1 received stabilization exercise only. In addition to stabilization exercise, Groups 2 and 3 received Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), and massage therapy respectively. Group 4 was the control who received drug therapy only. Patients were assessed for pain severity and functional disability.

Patients in three groups (1, 2 and 3) recorded significant improvement in pain severity and functional ability following intervention (P<0.05). There was no significant improvement in the outcome measure parameters assessed in the control group.

This study established that stabilization exercise only can be used successfully in the treatment of pain, functional disability in patients with NCLBP.