Ten Minutes of Core Stabilisation Exercise Result in Local Exercise-Induced Hypoalgesia in Patients With Chronic Unspecific Low Back Pain

Core stabilisation training is known to be effective in managing pain in patients suffering from chronic low back pain (CLBP). Yet, acute effects of core stabilisation exercise on exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH) are largely unknown. This study aimed to examine the EIH effects of an easy-to-perform core stabilisation exercise in CLBP patients and to explore associations between EIH and potential influencing factors (i.e., physical activity, catastrophizing, kinesiophobia, subjective pain state and exercise exertion). Thirty patients with unspecific CLBP finished this randomised controlled crossover trial. Patients performed a 10-min isometric core stabilisation exercise and a 10-min control session. Before and after, pain sensitivity was measured via pressure pain thresholds [Newton/cm ] locally (low back; PPT ) and remotely (forehead, thumb; PPT ). Correlation analyses were performed between EIH and influencing factors. A 'Time' × 'Intervention' interaction (p