Effects of Motor Control Exercise (MCE) and Back Endurance Exercise (BEE) for Mechanical Low Back Pain in Medical Students - A Comparative Study

INTRODUCTION: One of the most common musculoskeletal disorders in the world is low back pain, which affects an estimated 70% to 80% of adults at some point in their lives. Low back pain occurs in the lumbosacral region of the back, between the gluteal folds and the lower margins of the 12th rib. Back endurance exercises (BEE) develop the muscular endurance of the back and abdominal extensor muscles, whereas motor control exercises (MCE) are defined as exercises that enhance pelvic, spinal, control and coordination. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of MCE and BEE for mechanical low back pain in medical students. METHODS: This study is an experimental study with 30 samples taken (aged between 18-25 years). Group A includes 15 samples for MCE exercise and Group B includes 15 samples for BEE exercise. The intervention was given for 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks at the, College of Physiotherapy, NIEPMD (D), Chennai. The pain is measured by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the disability level is measured by Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). The VAS and ODI questionnaire score was taken both prior to and following the 4-week exercise regimen. Both the pre and post test scores were used to help obtain the result. RESULTS: Analysis of data indicates that both groups showed significant improvement in VAS and ODI but MCE group showed better result in improving pain whereas BEE group showed better result in improving activities of daily living. There is noticeable improvement in “within group” (p<0.001) statistical analysis for two outcome measures, but there is no significant improvement in “between group” (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: It has been concluded that MCE is more effective in reducing pain whereas BEE improved activities of daily living in mechanical LBP patients. So, both the exercise has its own effects on outcome measures. Keywords: Low back pain, Motor control exercise, Back endurance exercise, VAS, ODI, pain, activities of daily living.