Effects of an Intervention Program on Lumber Muscle Function in Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study compared the effects of different intervention programs of resistance exercise, stretching, and physical therapy in middle-aged women with nonspecific chronic low back pain.METHODS: The study participants were middle-aged women with nonspecific chronic low back pain (n=31), divided into three groups: resistance exercise (n=11), stretching (n=10) and physical therapy (n=10). They performed regular intervention thrice weekly for 12 weeks. Parameters measured include body composition via impedance, lumbar extensor strength, and lumbar stabilizing muscle strength.RESULTS: There was a significant interaction between group (resistance exercise, stretching, and physical therapy) and time period (pre– post) at 24°, 36°, 48°, 60°, and 72° of lumbar extensor strength (<i>p</i>=.015, <i>p</i>=.040, <i>p</i>=.004, <i>p</i>=.009, <i>p</i>=.003, respectively), and a significant interaction between group and time at -135° (<i>p</i>=.022) and +180° (<i>p</i>=.013) for lumbar stabilizing muscle strength.CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that resistance training had a positive effect on chronic low back pain after 12 weeks of intervention in middle-aged women with nonspecific chronic low back pain, with improvements in lumbar extensor and stabilizer strength.