Comparison of the effect of lumbar McGill stabilization and conventional physiotherapy exercises on spinal postural balance, pain and active range of motion in patients with non-specific chronic low back pain

Abstract

Background: Low back pain is one of the most common problems of public health systems in the world. Almost 84 percent of people will experience back pain in their lifetime. Lumbar stabilization exercises have been shown to provide normal stability and coordination in lumbar muscles. McGill has designed exercises in lumbo-pelvic region, based on global muscle stabilization, in order to increase stability and coordination without any load on lumbar spine, to improve the function of the anterior, posterior, and lateral lumbar muscles. Objective: the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of “McGill stabilization exercises” on pain, functional disability and active back flexion and extension range of motion in patients with CNSLBP in comparison with “conventional physiotherapy” treatment. Methods and Materials: 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). 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 FDM-S Zebris were used to measure pain, functional disability, and active thoracolumbar range of motion and center of pressure variables, respectively. During the six weeks of the Pain, disability and range of motion were evaluated two times and center of pressure variables were evaluated two times. In addition, all variables followed up for one month. Results: The results demonstrated that significant differences were not observed in pain, disability and range of motion between the two groups (P>0.05). Also, In the center of pressure variables, the most of the McGill stabilization exercises effect was on medio-lateral displacement variable (P<0.05). Conclusion: McGill stabilization exercises not have advantage compared to conventional physiotherapy in pain relief, disability and range of motion improvement, but McGill stabilization exercises have more effect in the center of pressure variables, especially in medio-lateral displacement variable.