Effects of stabilization exercise using flexi-bar on functional disability and transverse abdominis thickness in patients with chronic low back pain

[Purpose] The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of lumbar stabilization exercises using flexi-bar (FB) on pain, functional disability, transverse abdominis muscle (TrA) activation capacity and thickness in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP). [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-seven patients were randomly assigned to an experimental (14 patients performing stabilization exercises with flexi-bar (FB)) or control (13 patients performing stabilization exercises) group. The patients in both groups then underwent stabilization exercises with or without FB 30 min/day, 3 times a week, for 6 weeks. The main outcome measures were perceived disability based on the pain, Oswestry disability index (ODI), TrA activation capacity and thickness. [Results] Both groups showed improved ODI, VAS, and TrA activation capacity performed for 6 weeks in patients with CLBP, but all outcomes, except for TrA thickness, showed greater improvements in patients following stabilization exercises with FB than following stabilization exercises. [Conclusion] Based on the above results, lumbar stabilization exercises with FB could restoring pain, functional disability and improving TrA activation capacity in CLBP patients.