Effects of a stabilization exercise program in functionality and pain in patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Physical Therapy
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Degenerative spondylolisthesis often causes significant pain and functional limitations.
• Conservative management strategies are crucial for improving patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of a home-based stabilization exercise program.
• To assess the impact of these exercises on pain and functional capacity in patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis.

Main Methods:

• A nonrandomized clinical trial involving 20 patients over 50 years old with degenerative spondylolisthesis.
• A 6-month home-based stabilization exercise program.
• Pain assessment using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI); functional assessment via isokinetic trunk testing.

Main Results:

• Significant reductions in both back pain (VAS, p=0.007) and sciatic pain (VAS, p=0.035) were observed.
• Oswestry Disability Index scores significantly decreased (p=0.007), indicating improved function.
• Pain scores and ODI demonstrated significant correlations with improvements in isokinetic trunk strength.

Conclusions:

• Lumbar stabilization exercises represent a viable treatment option for managing pain and enhancing function in degenerative spondylolisthesis.
• Further research, including randomized controlled trials, is warranted to confirm these findings.