Affiliations: [a] Maccabi Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel | [b] Department of Physiotherapy, The Stanley Steyer School of Health Professions, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel
Correspondence:
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Address for correspondence: Dr. Youssef Masharawi, The Spinal Research Lab., Department of Physiotherapy, The Stanley Steyer School of Health Professions, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, POB 39040, Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel. Tel.: +972 3 6405428; mobile: +972 507288737 Fax: +972 3 6409223; E-mail: yossefm@post.tau.ac.il
Abstract: Objective:The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of active group-exercising on women with non specific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP) in a sitting position. Methods:25 females with NSCLBP underwent 8 group sitting-exercise sessions of a 45 minute duration, over an 8 week period. Pain intensity (VAS), back specific disability (Rolland Morris questionnaire-RMQ), and lumbar flexion and extension ranges of motion were measured twice, for reliability tests and cut-off score values, with a 1 week interval between measurements, prior to intervention and subsequently, six weeks following intervention. Results:Several significant changes in outcome measures were indicated following intervention compared with baseline (p < 0.001): an increase in lumbar flexion and extension (mean differences of 6° for flexion and 4° for extension, cutoff score = 5.91°); reduction in VAS score (mean difference=4.21, cutoff score =4.48); an increase in RMQ total score (mean difference=10.76, cutoff score=8.15). Changes in the VAS score was highly correlated with changes in the RMQ score (r= –6.35). Conclusions:A functional program of group-exercising conducted in a sitting position, improved the functional, painful status and lumbar ranges of motion in the sagittal plane of women suffering from non specific chronic low back pain. As sitting is considered the most common posture in today’s workplace, applying this protocol during working hours would be very effective.
Keywords: LBP, sitting group exercise, Rolland Morris, VAS, Lumbar range of motion
