The effect of core stabilization exercise on lumbar joint position sense in patients with subacute non-specific low back pain: a randomized controlled trial.
Rungthip Puntumetakul, Rungthip Chalermsan, Su Su Hlaing and 3 others
PMID 30464372WHAT IT FOUND
In adults with subacute non-specific low back pain, supervised core stabilization exercise improved lumbar joint position sense at 7 weeks and 4-week follow-up, and reduced pain and disability more than ultrasound and heat.
The trial had 38 participants.
Key findings
01Lumbar joint repositioning error was lower in the core stabilization group than in the control group at 7 weeks (0.4 cm vs 0.7 cm) and at 4-week follow-up (0.4 cm vs 0.7 cm).
02Pain at rest was lower in the core stabilization group than in the control group at 4 weeks (2.1 vs 4.6), 7 weeks (1.3 vs 3.6), and 4-week follow-up (0.7 vs 3.9) on a 0-10 scale.
03Functional disability was lower in the core stabilization group than in the control group at 4 weeks (2.4 vs 6.8), 7 weeks (1.5 vs 4.9), and 4-week follow-up (0.8 vs 4.0) on the Roland-Morris questionnaire.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
The study included only 38 participants from a university clinic in Thailand, recruited through social networks, and 34 of the 38 participants were women. Only the assessor was blinded. Participants and therapists knew which treatment was given. The control group received therapeutic ultrasound and heat, so the trial does not show that core stabilization exercise is better than no treatment. The paper notes a between-group mean difference in joint repositioning error of 0.35 cm, below the 0.4 cm clinically meaningful difference set from the pilot study. Muscle activity was not measured directly, so the mechanism of the change in joint position sense is not established. Follow-up was 4 weeks after the 7-week intervention, so longer-term effects were not tested.
Declared interests
The authors reported no conflict of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that core stabilization exercise is better than no treatment. The control group received therapeutic ultrasound and heat, and both groups improved in pain and disability. Also, the paper notes a between-group mean difference in joint repositioning error of 0.35 cm, below the 0.4 cm clinically meaningful difference set from the pilot study.