The effect of lumbar stabilization and stretching exercises on pain, disability, and characteristics of the lumbar paraspinal muscles in chronic nonspecific low back pain: a randomized controlled tria
4 days ago
- #low back pain
- #exercise therapy
- #randomized controlled trial
- Study investigates lumbar stabilization and stretching exercises (LSSE) effects on chronic nonspecific low back pain (CNSLBP).
- Randomized controlled trial with 60 CNSLBP patients; 54 completed the study.
- Intervention group (EX) received LSSE and health education; control group (CON) received health education only.
- Primary outcome: Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain intensity.
- Secondary outcomes: Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), paraspinal muscle characteristics (stiffness, cross-sectional area (CSA), fatty infiltration).
- Significant improvements in VAS and ODI scores in EX group compared to CON group.
- Increased CSA in multifidus and erector spinae muscles at L4/L5 and L5/S1 levels in EX group.
- Reduced fatty infiltration (grayscale values) in multifidus and erector spinae at L5/S1 level in EX group.
- Conclusion: LSSE reduces pain, improves function, and may cause muscle hypertrophy in lower lumbar levels.
- Trial registered at www.chictr.org.cn (ChiCTR2300068836).