The Effect of Inertial Load of Water Training on Balance Ability and Visual Analogue Scale in Middle-Aged Women with Chronic Low Back Pain : A Pilot Study

Objectives This study aims to examine the changes in balance ability and pain through water bag exercise in middle-aged women with chronic low back pain, providing foundational data and suggesting effective exercise programs. Methods Participants were middle-aged women with chronic low back pain who had no history of lumbar surgery in the past year and volunteered to participate. 10 subjects were selected. The Functional Reach Test (FRT) and the distance of center of pressure (COP) movement at the highest reach point during FRT performance were measured. Additionally, the effects of water inertial load exercise were examined through the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain index test. The exercise intervention was conducted twice a week for 50 minutes over 8 weeks. This study focused on a case report without a control group, and data were processed and analyzed using a paired t-test to compare pre-post intervention dependent variables. Results The FRT test results showed an significant decrease in COP values in all directions(anterior-posterior and mediolateral) at the highest reach point(p<.001), with a significant increase in FRT distance(p<.01). There was no significant difference in COP values during FRT performance before and after exercise. The VAS results showed a significant reduction in pain perception after exercise(p<.01). Conclusions The study found that middle-aged women with chronic low back pain experienced a reduction in pain perception and improvement in balance ability after implementing an exercise program using water inertia load. The water inertia load exercise was found to be effective not only in enhancing muscle strength but also in improving reflexive balance control ability, suggesting its utility in preventing and reducing low back pain.