Effect of Core Stabilization Exercises on Trunk Flexor and Extensor Musculature Endurance and Quality of Life in Mothers with Low Back Pain Who Have Children with Cerebral Palsy

Musculoskeletal pain in mothers of children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) is significantly higher than that in mothers of typically normal children. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of eight weeks core stabilization exercises on trunk flexor and extensor musculature endurance as well as quality of life in mothers of children with CP.
In the current quasi experimental study, 30 mothers of children with CP who had low back pain, aged 6 to 18 years, were selected in Isfahan based on targeted and convenience sampling methods according to the criteria of the study. Next, they were randomly divided into two groups of experimental and control, each containing 15 mothers. The experimental group performed core stabilization exercises for 8 weeks, three days a week, each session lasting 20 minutes, while the control group did not do any regular exercise. Quality of life and trunk flexor and extensor musculature endurance were respectively measured using SF-36 questionnaire and trunk flexor and trunk extensor endurance tests prior to and after the eight weeks of exercise program.
Finding revealed significantl improvement in the quality of life (p=0.001), trunk flexor (p=0.002), and extensor musculature endurance (p=0.040) after implementing the core stabilization exercises intervention.
Based on the results, core stabilization exercise program can improve quality of life and trunk flexor and extensor musculature endurance in mothers of children with CP. Therefore, considering the importance of the health of mothers with CP children, their low levels of quality of life, and positive effect of core stability exercises on the quality of life and trunk muscle endurance, this exercise is recommended for mothers of children with Physical disability who have chronic low back pain.