Effects of a stabilization exercise program in functionality and pain in patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of stabilization exercises on pain and function in patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis. Study design: Nonrandomized clinical trial, with 6 months of follow up. METHODS: Twenty patients over 50 years of age with degenerative spondylolisthesis underwent a 6-month, home-based training program of stabilization exercises. We applied functional and pain scales (Visual Analogue Scale [VAS] and Oswestry Disability Index [ODI]), and conducted an isokinetic trunk test. Statistical analysis included a T test for quantitative variables, a chi-squared test for qualitative data, and Pearson correlations. The significance alfa level was 0.05. RESULTS: Both pain and Oswestry Index scores were significantly decreased. Initial and final VAS "back pain" results were 63.50 +/- 18.05 mm and 43.4 +/- 22.09 (p = 0.007) respectively. Initial and final VAS "sciatic pain" results were 53.65 +/- 29.03 mm and 36.65 +/- 27.21 (p = 0.035) respectively. Oswestry Index at the beginning of the study was 30.35 +/- 15.6%, decreasing to a final 20.15 +/- 13.6% (p = 0.007). The results of VAS and ODI scores correlated significantly with improvement in the isokinetic test. CONCLUSION: Lumbar stabilization exercises could be an effective treatment option in controlling pain and improving function in patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis. Further investigation with randomized controlled trials is necessary to obtain confirmation of these results.