Subrat Samal1*, Snehal Samal2, Ritu Rangari3

ABSTRACT

In patients with low back pain, bed rest and exercise both have been recommended by the healthcare professionals. The present study includes involvement of core stabilization exercises (CSE) among lower back patients as a treatment remedy. The CSE program was conducted among patients reported with low back pain at the institute. The study was carried out by randomizing participants and dividing them in four groups of 10 participants each. Group A (control group) participants were asked to carry out their normal activity at a tolerable level. Group B participants undergoing core stabilization exercise once in 6 days, group C participants subjected to core stabilization exercises, twice in 6 days, and group D participants experiencing exercise thrice in 6 days. Outcomes measured during and after the program included reduction in the pain intensity, functional disability and quality of life score. Observations during and after 6 and 18 weeks of the CSE program were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Subjects in group A, control group indicated slower recovery compared to group B, C and D subjects, which were part of the core stabilization exercise program. As group B, C and D were subjected to increasing frequency of CSE in a week; they indicated significant reduction in the pain intensity as well as satisfactory improvement in the quality of life score. The participants also expressed reduction in the functional disability score after the CSE program. Participants from groups B, C and D indicated proportional improvement in the lower back pain ailment, whereas group A, which was a control group did not indicate measurable and satisfactory recovery even after 18 weeks of study. Moreover, participants achieved awareness regarding the low back pain condition and core stabilization exercises had achieved an improvement in quality of life score. Keywords: lower back pain, core stabilization exercise, pain intensity, functional disability, quality of life