J Korean Phys Ther.  2019 Feb;31(1):7-12. 10.18857/jkpt.2019.31.1.7.

The Effects of Stretching and Strengthening Exercise on the Pain, Pelvic Tilt, Functional Disability Index, and Balance Ability of Patients with Chronic Lower Back Pain

• Kang TW
• Kim BR

• KMID: 2442067
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.18857/jkpt.2019.31.1.7

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study examined the effects of stretching and strengthening exercises on the pain, pelvic tilt (PT), functional disability, and balance of patients with chronic lower back pain (CLBP).
METHODS
A total of 42 patients with CLBP were randomly divided randomly into either experimental group I (EG I, n=21), who received stretching exercise, or experimental group II (EG II, n=21), who received strengthening exercise. Both interventions were applied three times a week for eight weeks. Assessments were made with a visual analogue scale (VAS), PT, Oswestry disability index (ODI), and Berg's balance scale (BBS) before and after the eight weeks intervention period. A paired t-test was conducted to compare the within-group changes before and after the intervention. An independent t-test was used compare the between-group difference. The statistical significance level was set to α=0.05 for all variables.
RESULTS
The EG I and II showed significant within-group changes in the VAS, PT, ODI, and BBS (p<0.05). The changes in VAS, PT, ODI, and BBS were similar regardless of the exercise form.
CONCLUSION
In this study, the application of stretching and strengthening exercise for subjects who complain of CLBP was effective in changing the level of pain, PT, functional disability, and balance.

Keyword

Balance ability; Functional disability index; Lower back pain; Pelvic tilt

MeSH Terms

Exercise
Humans
Low Back Pain*
Pelvic Pain*