Effectiveness of Including a Core Exercise Protocol Compared to a Conventional Exercise Protocol in Managing Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

A bstract Introduction: Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a leading cause of low back dysfunction in the Indian population. While conventional physiotherapy exercises are commonly used for management, some studies suggest that incorporating core exercises may enhance outcomes. This study aims to compare the effectiveness of a core exercise protocol with a conventional exercise regimen in LSS patients. Methods and Results: A randomized controlled trial was conducted on patients aged 25–50 years, divided into core exercise + conventional exercise and only conventional exercise groups. The core exercise group exhibited significant improvements in pain intensity and functional independence after four weeks ( t = 48.881, P = 0.000). The conventional exercise group also showed improvements, but relatively, to a lesser extent ( t = 18.52, P = 0.000). Conclusion: The findings indicate that a core-included exercise program is more effective than conventional exercises in reducing pain and enhancing functional independence in LSS patients.