thoracolumbar exercise ; low back pain ; static standing balance
Abstract
Study Design: A randomized clinical
trial. Background and Purpose: Several
exercise programs have been reported to be
beneficial in the treatment of low back pain
(LBP). This study was to examine two different
exercises, thoracolumbar exercise (TLE)
and lumbar stabilizing exercise (LSE), for
LBP. Methods: Ninety subjects (42 male,
48 female), who had mechanical LBP without
other neurological symptoms, were
exercised for 40 minutes, 3 times/week, for
8 weeks. This trial examined the Oswestry
Disability Index, pain, static standing balance,
thoracic mobility, and lumbar flexibility.
Results: Subjects who participated in
the TLE program were better than the LSE
on the Oswestry Disability Index, thoracic
mobility, and static standing balance. However, subject performances did not significantly
differ in either exercise group in terms
of pain and lumbar flexibility. Discussion:
The TLE program has been demonstrated to
be effective in patients with LBP in terms of
lumbar functional disability including static
standing balance.