Efeito da estabilização segmentar e terapia manual versus estabilização segmentar isolada em pacientes com dor lombar crônica não específica: estudo controlado aleatorizado

Introduction: Low back pain (LBP) can be defined as pain or discomfort in the region of the lumbar and sacral vertebrae of the spine. Segmental stabilization consists of performing isometric exercises, mainly of the transverse abdominal muscles and the lumbar multifidus. Manual therapy based on mobilizations and passive joint manipulations has moderate to low level of evidence on its effectiveness in chronic LBP when compared to other types of interventions. Objective: To compare the effectiveness of segmental stabilization and manual therapy versus segmental stabilization in patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain. Methodology: This is a randomized clinical trial, the subjects were divided into two groups: Segmental Stabilization and Manual Therapy Group (GESTM), and Segmental Stabilization Group (GES). We attempted to perform intragroup comparison, pre- and post- intervention analysis and verification of interaction between groups. Forty-two individuals with nonspecific chronic low back pain, aged between 18 and 50 years, with persistent pain for more than three months, were treated. Results: improvements in pain intensity and quality, functional disability, quality of life, and perception of overall effect were observed for both groups, however, with no differences between them. Conclusion: Results indicate that individuals with non-specific chronic low back pain treated with segmental stabilization, with or without the combination of manual therapy, showed similar improvements in pain intensity, pain quality, functional disability, quality of life, and perception of the overall effect.