The Efficacy of Core Stabilization Exercises on Disability and Hip Muscle Strength in Patients with Nonspecific Low Back Pain

ABS TRACT Objective:In this study, we aimed to investigate the efficacy of core stabilization exercises on functional disability, pain, hip muscle strength, and core stability in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain (LBP).Material and Methods: A total of 26 individuals with chronic nonspecific LBP were enrolled in this study.The patients performed lumbar stabilization exercises for three weeks with a physiotherapist and five weeks as a home program.Assessments were made at pre-treatment, at week 3, and at week 8. Outcome measures were functional status [Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RM) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI)], pain visual analog scale (VAS), transversus abdominis (TA) activation (prone TA test), core muscle strength and endurance (leg lowering test, prone bridge test, and supine bridge test, lateral muscular test and flexor endurance test), hip muscle strength (MicroFET3 manual dynamometer).Results: Following treatment, there was a significant improvement in VAS movement, VAS resting, ODI and RM scores, TA activation, leg lowering test, and core endurance test times compared to baseline.Hip muscle strength improved in all directions except left external and right internal rotation.Conclusion: It should be noted that lumbar stabilization exercises are effective treatment methods for patients with chronic nonspecific LBP.These exercises improve functionality, core endurance, and increase hip muscles strength.