Stefan Kostadinović1, Nenad Milovanović2, Jelena Jovanović2, Snežana Tomašević-Todorović3. 1. Medical Faculty, University of Novi Sad, Clinical Research, Novi Sad, Serbia. 2. Rehabilitation Clinic "Dr. Miroslav Zotović" Belgrade, University of Belgrade, School of Medicine, Belgrade, Serbia. 3. Medical Faculty, University of Novi Sad, Medical Rehabilitation Clinic, Clinical Centre of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Serbia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:Exercise programs in the treatment of chronic lumbar pain are quite diverse, but it has been proven that stabilization exercises are the most effective. OBJECTIVE: We compared the lumbar stabilization exercise program in a closed and open kinetic chain (LSCO) and lumbar stabilization exercises and thoracic mobilization program in a closed kinetic chain (LSTMC), and evaluated the clinical effectiveness of each program. METHODS: Prospective, randomized, controlled trial in 80 chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients with lumbar radiculopathy of both sexes (35 male, 45 female), average age (48.45 ± 10.22 years), divided in two groups that performed different sets of exercises. Participants were given laser therapy, transcutaneous electro-nerve stimulation and an eight-week kinesiotherapy that included exercises to strengthen the deep lumbar spine stabilizers. Retesting was done after four and eight weeks. RESULTS: Statistically significant (p< 0.05) superior recovery of the LSTMC group subjects compared to the LSCO group was achieved at all measurement intervals in the pain intensity and functional disability parameters. CONCLUSION: Patients who performed the lumbar stabilization and thoracic mobilization exercise program in a closed kinetic chain had the most effective reduction of pain intensity and functional disability.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Exercise programs in the treatment of chronic lumbar pain are quite diverse, but it has been proven that stabilization exercises are the most effective. OBJECTIVE: We compared the lumbar stabilization exercise program in a closed and open kinetic chain (LSCO) and lumbar stabilization exercises and thoracic mobilization program in a closed kinetic chain (LSTMC), and evaluated the clinical effectiveness of each program. METHODS: Prospective, randomized, controlled trial in 80 chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients with lumbar radiculopathy of both sexes (35 male, 45 female), average age (48.45 ± 10.22 years), divided in two groups that performed different sets of exercises. Participants were given laser therapy, transcutaneous electro-nerve stimulation and an eight-week kinesiotherapy that included exercises to strengthen the deep lumbar spine stabilizers. Retesting was done after four and eight weeks. RESULTS: Statistically significant (p< 0.05) superior recovery of the LSTMC group subjects compared to the LSCO group was achieved at all measurement intervals in the pain intensity and functional disability parameters. CONCLUSION:Patients who performed the lumbar stabilization and thoracic mobilization exercise program in a closed kinetic chain had the most effective reduction of pain intensity and functional disability.