Comparative study of muscle strengthening exercises for treatment of chronic low backache

Abstract

Background: Low back pain is a major cause of musculoskeletal disability worldwide. Objectives: To study the outcomes of different muscle strengthening exercises in treatment of low back pain Materials and Methods: One hundred and twenty patients in the age group of 20-40 years with mechanical low back pain were randomly divided intotwo groups and instructed to perform two different types of exercises for three months (Mckenzie exercise andSwiss ball exercise). Patients were assessed by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Modified Schober Test (MST) for extension and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), based on pain intensity levels, range of motion, functional disability before starting the exercise programmes and after 3 months of intervention. Results were analysed using Students T Test. Results: There was no significant difference in the pre-treatment session between the two groups. VAS and ODI Values were significantly lower in post-treatment sessions as compared to pre-treatment values in both Groups but MST Values in post-treatment sessions in Group practicing Mckenzie exercise showed significant decreases. Significant decrease in VAS, MST and ODI Valueswere found in subjects practising McKenzie exercise when comparison was done between the two groups after 3 months of treatment. Conclusion: McKenzie exercise and Swissball exercise in patients with mechanical Low back pain reduce pain intensity, increaserange of movementand decrease functional disability. McKenzie exercise seems to have higher efficacy as compared to Swissball exercise.

Keywords

• Mechanical low backpain
• muscle strengthening exercises