The Effect of Stabilization Exercise with and without Aquatic Exercise on Pain and Disability of Female Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain

Low back pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders. Due to complicated mechanisms of chronic low back pain, determining efficient and cost effective methods of treatment still is a challenge. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of stability exercise with and without aquatic exercise on chronic low back pain.

twenty four Female with chronic low back pain due to disc degeneration or herniation recruited purposefully. They were matched and randomly assigned into stabilization exercise group and combined (stabilization plus aquatic exercise) group. Both groups received 6 weeks exercise intervention (three sessions per week). Pain (VAS) and functional disability (ODI) were assessed before and after interventions. Paired and independent t tests were used for analysis of data (P≤0.05).

The results showed significant reduction of VAS scores in stabilization (5.9±0.8 vs 3.8±1.1, P=0.00) and combined (6.2±0.6 vs 3.2±0.9, P=0.00) groups. Regarding disability, significant improvements was seen in stabilization (38.7±9 vs 26.3±9.4, P=0.00) and combined (39.4±8.3 vs 22.5±6.7, P=0.00) groups. Also significant differences was seen between groups, as combined group had around 12.9 % and 10.7% more reduction respectively in VAS (P=0.01) and ODI (P=0.02) scores.

As combining aquatic exercises with core stability training could provide higher improvements in pain and functional disability of patients, we suggest aquatic exercise training should be added to rehabilitation programs of low back patients as a complementary modality.