Effects of Lumbar Stability and Hip Joint Mobility Exercise with Pilates Devices on Pain Level and Muscle-Joint Function in Middle-Aged Women with Chronic Low Back Pain

Abstract

PURPOSE This study aimed to compare the effects of 10 weeks of lumbar stability and hip mobility exercises using Pilates devices on pain level and muscle joint function in middle-aged women with chronic low back pain (CLBP). Further, we aimed to investigate the efficacy of Pilates hip mobility exercise (HME) as an exercise for improving CLBP in middle-aged women by comparing the effectiveness of lumbar stability exercise (LSE) and HME. METHODS Thirty-two middle-aged women with CLBP were enrolled and randomly divided and placed into two groups: the LSE group (n=16) and HME group (n=16). Both groups performed Pilates exercises for 50 minutes twice a week for 10 weeks. RESULTS The Korean Oswestry Disability Index score in both the LSE and HME groups decreased at 5 weeks (p<.05). Hip internal rotation range of motion (ROM) and external rotation ROM increased at 5 and 10 weeks in both the LSE and HME groups (p<.01). Lumbar mobility increased at 5 weeks in both the LSE (p<.01) and HME groups (p<.001). Lumbar stability in the prone plank test significantly increased at 5 weeks in the LSE group (p<.001) and at 5 and 10 weeks in the HME group (p<.001). Lumbar stability by the side plank test significantly increased at 5 and 10 weeks in both the LSE and HME groups (p<.001). CONCLUSIONS We found that using Pilates to perform both LSE and HME helped relieve back pain and improve muscle joint function in middle-aged women with CLBP. There was no significant difference between LSE and HME in terms of efficacy. HME is a highly effective exercise for improving CLBP in middle-aged women.

Keywords

• pilates
• low back pain
• lumbar stability
• lumbar mobility
• hip mobility