Immediate Effects between Core Stabilization Exercise and Strengthening Exercise on Postural Balance in Patient with Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain

Abstract

In chronic low back pain (CLBP) presents impaired trunk muscles functions. It is a one cause of impaired balance performance. In addition, pain is an associated factor that related to balance.  The two exercises, core stabilization exercise (CSE) and general strengthening exercise (STE), are common used for CLBP in the physical therapy clinic. However, the exercises are specific to different groups of trunk muscle, CSE aims to improve deep trunk muscles functions and STE enhances superficial trunk muscles functions. For long-term effect, both exercises can help to relieve back pain. Therefore, this study aimed to compare immediate effect of CSE with STE on balance performance in CLBP. Thirty-seven CLBP participants (18-male, 19-female, age 21.97+1.77 years) were asked to perform both CSE and STE exercise, 20-minute for each exercise. Participants are assigned randomly to the two sequence groups CSE-STE and STE-CSE, and 7-day was set for wash-out period.  Balance performance was determined by using the modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance in single leg quiet stance, immediately after exercise. Additionally, resting pain intensity was assessed with a visual analogue scale (VAS), and the results showed that significant difference between before and after CSE (2.51+2.09, 1.69+1.39, P < 0.001, respectively). The findings presented significant improvement of static standing balance and reduce resting pain intensity after 20-min of CSE.