Effect of 6-week lumbar stabilization exercise performed on stable versus unstable surfaces in automobile assembly workers with mechanical chronic low back pain
Affiliations: [a] Department of Physical Therapy, Wonkwang University School of Medicine and Hospital, Iksan, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea
| [b] Department of Physical Therapy, Applied Kinesiology and Ergonomic Technology Laboratory, The Graduate School, Yonsei University, Wonju, Kangwon-do, Republic of Korea
Correspondence:
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Address for correspondence: Heon-Seock Cynn, Applied Kinesiology and Ergonomic Technology Laboratory, Department of Physical Therapy, The Graduate School, 220-710, Baekwoon-kwan, Yonsei University, 1 Yonseidae-gil, Wonju, Kangwon-do, Republic of Korea. Tel.: +82 33 760 2427; Fax: +82 33 760 2496; E-mail: cynn@yonsei.ac.kr.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:Automobile assembly workers repeatedly place burdens on their lumbar regions, which can lead to mechanical chronic low back pain. OBJECTIVE:This study aimed to compare the effects of lumbar stabilization exercises performed on a stable or unstable surface on lumbar pain, muscle strength, stability, disability, and depression in patients with chronic low back pain. METHODS:Twenty-four patients were randomly allocated to a stable or unstable surface group (n = 12 each). Both groups performed each lumbar stabilization exercise for 30 minutes daily five times per week for 6 weeks. Lumbar pain, muscle strength, stability, disability, and depression were assessed before and after intervention. RESULTS:After 6 weeks of training, lumbar pain, stability, disability, and depression improved significantly, whereas muscle strength did not. All post-test values in the unstable surface group improved significantly more than those in the stable surface group. CONCLUSIONS:Our findings indicate the more favorable effects of an unstable exercise surface in patients with chronic low back pain. However, further studies are needed to confirm our findings.
