Effects of core stabilization exercise versus general trunk-strengthening exercise on balance performance, pain intensity and trunk muscle activity patterns in clinical lumbar instability patients

Postural balance is important for activities of daily living. Chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients manifest problems with balance, such as problems performing daily activities. Specifically, CLBP patients with clinical lumbar instability (CLI) have demonstrated deep trunk muscular dysfunction that impairs proprioception, induces poor postural control, and may result in a high risk of falls. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a 10-week core stabilization exercise (CSE) regimen versus a strengthening exercise (STE) regimen and conduct a 3-month follow-up on balance, pain, and trunk muscle activity patterns in CLI patients. A single-blind randomized controlled trial was used to compare the effects of CSE and STE on balance, pain, and trunk muscle activity patterns in 38 CLBP patients with CLI. The results revealed significantly improved five-times-sit-to-stance test (FTSST) results and pain after 10 weeks of exercise and the 3-month follow up in both groups. However, the difference in FTSST scores and pain intensity between the CSE and STE patients was not significant. Moreover, the CSE group presented significantly greater deep abdominal muscle activation than the STE group after 10 weeks of exercise. In addition, both groups of exercise had slightly improved deep back muscle activation. Therefore, the results of this study suggest that both exercise regimens can improve balance performance and pain intensity. However, the CSE group was superior to the STE group for all variables, especially deep abdominal muscle activation.