THE EFFECTS OF LUMBAR STABILIZATION EXERCISES ON A SWISS BALL IN PATIENTS WITH MECHANICAL LOW BACK PAIN

Background: Mechanical low back pain is one of the most common causes of discomfort amongst people all over. There are various exercises to reduce low back pain. Swiss ball exercises are one of the dynamic exercises which increase muscle strength, endurance, balance, and flexibility of the trunk while the individual leans on a swiss ball. Therefore the purpose of this study was to check the effects of lumbar stabilization exercises on a swiss ball in patients with mechanical low back pain. Methods: Forty participants out of which 30 were females and 10 were males who were suffering from mechanical low back pain between the age group of 20 to 60 years were included. They were divided into two groups with each group having 20 subjects. One group was taught floor exercises, and the other was taught swiss ball exercises for two weeks thrice a week, i.e., sixdays. The pain and disability were checked with the Numeric Rating Scale, and Roland Morris Questionnaire scores respectively pre and post-intervention. Results: On comparison of the difference between both the groups the mean difference in the NRS and RMQ scores for floor group was one +/- 1 and 0.75 +/- 1.6(p<0.05). The mean difference in the NRS and RMQ scores for swiss ball group was 2.6 +/- 0.5 and 3.7 +/- 1.26(p<0.05). Conclusion: We can conclude that lumbar stabilization exercises on a swiss ball are effective in reducing mechanical low back pain compared to exercises done on the static surface.