Treatment of disability associated with chronic non-specific low back pain using core stabilization exercises in Pakistani population

BACKGROUND: Chronic non-specific low back is the most common musculoskeletal complaint that significantly affects the general population. Exercises are advocated as the main part of treatment for chronic low back pain. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of workouts of the core musculature and routine physical therapy exercise training for the treatment of disability caused by chronic low back pain. METHODS: In this single-blinded, randomized, controlled trial, 120 patients with non-specific low back pain were examined in Lahore, Pakistan. They were randomly allocated into treatment groups A and B. Group A performed core stabilization workouts and Group B had routine physical therapy. The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) was used to evaluate the outcome of each treatment. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v16.0 and a p value < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Significant reduction in disability was observed in both groups at the end of the second, fourth, and sixth week of treatment (p value < 0.05). The mean reduction in disability as measured by ODI score was 39.44 14.64 for Group A and 31.91 12.31 for Group B. CONCLUSION: A larger reduction in disability was observed for subjects treated with core stabilization exercises in comparison to those treated with routine physical therapy.