Comparison of spinal stabilization exercise versus Maitland mobilization along with laser therapy in non-specific low back pain

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of spinal stabilization exercises versus Maitland mobilization and laser therapy on non-specific low back pain (NSLBP). METHODS: This randomized controlled trial was conducted at Al-Noor Physio Center, Tayyab Physiotherapy Clinic, and Al-Zahra Medical Complex between June and December 2022. Study included 50 patients aged 18-60 years with NSLBP, selected through a simple random sampling technique. Participants were randomly assigned to Group-A (spinal stabilization and laser therapy) and Group-B (Maitland mobilization and laser therapy). Both groups received interventions three times a week for eight weeks. The primary outcomes—pain, disability, and lumbar range of motion (ROM)—were assessed using pre- and post-intervention tests with appropriate statistical analyses. RESULTS: Of the 50 participants, 28 (56%) were male and 22 (44%) females, with a mean age of 45.66 ± 8.48 years in Group-A and 44.68 ± 9.42 years in Group-B. Both groups were comparable at baseline in terms of age (p =0.10) and gender (p>0.05). The within-group analysis revealed significant reductions in pain, disability, and ROM in both groups (p <0.05). Group A showed a median pain score of 3.0 (IQR 2.0-3.0) compared to 5.0 (IQR 4.50-6.0) in Group-B, and a median disability score of 7.0 (IQR 7.0-8.0) compared to 14.0 (IQR 12.0-15.0) in Group-B (p <0.05). ROM improvements included lumbar flexion (p=0.02), hyperextension (p = 0.00), and side flexion (p=0.00), with Group-A outperforming Group-B. CONCLUSION: Spinal stabilization exercises were more effective than Maitland mobilization in reducing pain, improving disability, and enhancing lumbar ROM in patients with NSLBP.

Keywords

• back disability
• disability
• disability evaluation
• laser therapy
• low back pain
• maitland mobilization
• quality of life
• stabilization exercise
• trunk mobility
• pain