Comparative Effects of Stabilization and Aerobic Exercises on Pain and Disability in Patients with Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain

Background: Back pain is a disease of the back that threatens the human race with pain and functional disability, resulting into inability to perform activities of daily living. Objectives: This study compared the effect of stabilization and aerobic exercises on pain severity and functional disability (FD), in non-specific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP) patients. Methodology: A total of 48 individuals with NSCLBP (9 males, 14 females) participated in this study. They were allocated into three different groups using computer generated random numbers sequence: Group A performed stabilization exercise, group B performed aerobic exercise while group C was the control group and received transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) therapy with back care education. Subjects were assessed for pain severity, Functional Disability (FD) using Visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability questionnaire before treatment, at the end of 4 weeks and 8 weeks post-treatment. Data were analyzed using statistical package for social sciences version 22 and the significant level was set at p≤0.05. Results: Subjects in all the three groups (A, B and C) recorded significant improvement in functional disability and pain severity post treatment (P≤0.05). But no significant difference was observed in the outcome parameters when across group comparison was done. Conclusion: This study provides evidence that all the interventions (stabilization exercise, aerobic exercise and back care) are effective in managing the severity of pain and functional disability in patients with NSCLBP. However, stabilization exercise has shown better effect. Keywords: Aerobic exercise, Non-specific Chronic Low back Pain, Stabilization exercise, Comparison