[Chronic low back pain : Comparison of mobilization and core stability exercises]

For the treatment of chronic low back pain (cLBP), both core stability and mobilization exercises were introduced. The aim of this prospective randomized clinical pilot study was to compare the efficacy of mobilization and core stability exercises with regard to objective and subjective outcome measures in patients with cLBP.

After a per-protocol analysis, the data of 27 patients with cLBP, who were randomly allocated to one of the two groups, were analyzed. The intervention group (GM) performed mobilization exercises using the BALLance-Methode®, the control group (GS) carried out core stability exercises for 4 weeks, and continued the exercises for an additional 4 weeks at home. Flexibility, strength endurance of the core stabilizing muscles, pain-induced disability, and pain avoidance behavior were the objective and subjective outcomes that were measured before, 4 weeks after, and 8 weeks after the onset of the intervention. The significance of differences within and between groups was analyzed.

During the observation period, only in the GS patients could maintain the prone-plank position and the side-plank position improvements over time (p < 0.001), with significant differences compared with the GM (p < 0.05). Within both groups significant improvements in the subjective outcome measures were found (p < 0.05). Therefore, no significant differences existed between the groups.

With regard to their daily complaints, patients with cLBP can be treated using standardized mobilization exercises in addition to core stability exercises.