The effect of Progressive Core Stability Exercises with and without Respiratory Exercises on Plantar Pressure Distribution in Patients with Lumbar Segmental Instability: a Semi-Experimental Study

Background &

Lumbar segmental instability is one of the consequences of non-specific chronic low back pain, which is defined as excessive intervertebral transmission and rotational movements and causes functional disabilities. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of progressive stability exercises with and without breathing exercises on plantar pressure variables in patients with lumbar segmental instability.

The present study was a single-blind randomized clinical trial with a pre-test-post-test design. The population of the present study was male employees of Hamedan city suffering from back instability who were selected as available. . In order to select the research samples, the ability to stand on one leg for 30 seconds and back instability tests were used (three out of five tests were positive). Subjects were randomly selected in two experimental groups (combined core stability-respiratory exercises (CCSRE) and core stability exercises (CSE)) and a control group. The variables of plantar pressure distribution were investigated using a foot scan device. Data were analyzed by ANOVA with repeated measurement         (p≤ 0.05).

The results showed changes in the vertical ground reaction force in the CCSRE group (p=0.016), the center of pressure (anterior-posterior) in the CSE group (p=0.001) and the CCSRE group (p=0.001), the center of pressure (internal-external) in the CSE group (p=0.007) and the CCSRE group (p=0.033) and the travel distance in the CSE group (p=0.014), was significant from pre-test to post-test. Also, the inter-group results (interaction between group and time) showed a statistically significant difference in the variables of vertical ground reaction force, center of pressure (internal-external) and (anterior-posterior) and travel distance (p<0.05).

According to the results, it is recommended to use the combination of breathing exercises and core stability in the rehabilitation and treatment of patients with lumbar instability.