Core stability non-specific LBP

Context: Pain and altered motor control are consequences of chronic low back pain. Objectives: The present study investigated the effects of 6-week Swiss ball core stabilization on pain and lumbopelvic motor control in patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain (LBP). Design: This is a randomized clinical pilot study. Setting: Laboratory. Participants: Twenty-four patients (12 females) with nonspecific chronic LBP (mean [SD]: age=42.08 [7.05] y) participated. Intervention: Participants were randomly assigned to experimental and control (n=12) groups. The experimental group performed core stability exercises for six weeks, and the control group received routine physical therapy. Main Outcome Measures: Pain and motor control were assessed at baseline, at the end of the intervention, and at follow-up. Results: Core intervention led to a significant increase in motor control in post-test (P<.001, Cohen’s d=6.04) but not in follow-up, and a significant decrease in pain intensity in post-test (P<.001, Cohen’s d=3.31) and follow-up (P<.001, Cohen’s d=2.98). Also, significant differences were observed between the two groups for all outcome measures after the intervention (P<.05). Conclusion: Compared to routine physical therapy, the six-week core stability exercises on Swiss ball resulted in improvements in pain intensity and lumbopelvic motor control in patients with nonspecific chronic LBP.