Effect of core stabilization exercises on functional disability in patients with chronic low back pain

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess core stabilization exercise effects in reducing functional disability in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP).

Methods: This study included total of 90 patients aged 40 to 60 years. After a ten-day rehabilitation program the patients from an examination group (n = 30) performed home exercise program five times a week, patients from a first control group (n = 30) three times a week, while patients from a second control group (n = 30) did not perform the exercises at all. The patients performed core stabilization exercises of moderate intensity once a day in 30 minutes sessions. The patient's functional disability was estimated using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI).

Results: After two months of rehabilitation there was a statistically significant increase in functional ability in patients who performed the core stabilization exercises five times a week

(p = 0.0001) and in patients who performed the core stabilization exercises three times per week (p = 0.0001). A statistically significant difference in functional ability was not recorded in patients who did not perform the exercises. The analysis of the average values of the ODI differences at the beginning and after two months of rehabilitation showed a statistically significant difference between the group who did not perform the exercises and the group who performed the core stabilization exercises three times a week (p = 0.0001), and between the group who did not perform the exercises and the group who performed the core stabilization exercises five times a week (p = 0.0001).

Conclusions: The implementation of the core stabilization exercises leads to a reduction of functional disability in patients with CLBP.