BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: According to McGill's new therapeutic exercise protocol for the purpose of low back pain treatment, and not investigating these exercises on balance, the present study was performed to aim to investigate the effect of McGill stabilization exercises and conventional physiotherapy exercises on dynamic balance indices, pain, disability and range of motion in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain.
METHODS: Thirty patients with chronic non-specific low back pain were randomly assigned to the McGill stabilization exercises group (n=15) and conventional physiotherapy group (n=15). Participants performed 30 repeatitions for each session and three sessions per week for six weeks. In both groups, patients performed the corresponding exercises for six weeks. The visual analog scale (VAS), Quebec Low Back Pain Disability Scale questionnaire, inclinometer and Biodex Balance System were used to measure pain, functional disability, and active thoracolumbar range of motion variables and postural balance indeces (Anteroposerior Stability Index, Mediolateral Stability Index ,and Overall Stability Index), respectively. The study data were collected before and after training and also all the variables were followed for one month.
FINDINGS: The significant differences were not observed in pain, disability and range of motion between the two groups (p>0.05). In the dynamic postural stability variables, in Anteroposerior Stability Index (0.31±0.20), Mediolateral Stability Index (0.23±0.22), and Overall Stability Index (0.41±0.30) significantly changes were observed in three indeces (p<0.05).
CONCLUSION: McGill stabilization exercises may improve more effective dynamic postural balance variables to maintain balance in daily activities such as walking.