MEDICINA SPORTIVA - Journal of Romanian Sports Medicine Society

Effects of core stabilization and McKenzie back extension exercises on pain, disability and insomnia in patients with non-specific chronic low back pain

Aim. This study compared the effects of core stabilization and McKenzie back extension exercises on pain, functional disability, insomnia and Quality of Life (QoL) in patients with Non-specific Chronic low back pain (NSCLBP).
Material and Method. Forty-one (41) participants (16 males, 25 females) participated in this study. They were recruited from a tertiary Hospital in Lagos state. Participants were allocated into three groups using computer generated random number sequence. Group 1 received core stabilization exercises, Group 2 received McKenzie back exercises and Group 3 received Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) and back care education. Pain intensity, functional disability, insomnia and quality of life were assessed using Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Oswestry disability questionnaire, Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and SF-36 Quality of life (Qol) questionnaire respectively at baseline, and end of 4th week post intervention.
Results. There was an improvement in the clinical outcome, pain (p=0.001, 0.004), functional disability (p= 0.001, 0.01) and insomnia (p= 0.001, 0.012) in both group 1 and 2 but most of the improvement was noticed in group 1 post intervention. Significant improvement was displayed in the general health (p=0.001, 0.004, 0.049), physical function (p=0.001, 0.007, 0.007) and social function (p=0.026, 0.02, 0.007) domains of quality of life post intervention in all the 3 groups (1, 2, 3). Across groups comparison showed, significant difference in both pain (p=0.01), insomnia (p=0.02) and physical function (p=0.002).
Conclusions. Both core stabilization and McKenzie back extension exercise group had improved outcomes following intervention.