Lumbar segmental stabilization, strengthening and stretching in chronic low back pain: a comparative study

• Grant number: 07/01102-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: September 01, 2007
• End date: August 31, 2009
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Amélia Pasqual Marques
• Grantee: Fábio Jorge Renovato França
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Low back pain is an important problem of public health in industrialized countries, and affects 70% to 80% of adult population in some moment of its life, especially young adults. Low back pain is the most frequent reason to looking for a doctor and the second reason why people stop temporarily the job. When the symptoms are chronic, many physical therapy interventions have been advocated. There are different physical therapy interventions: bracing, walking, swimming, stretching, aerobic and trunk exercises (flexion and extension) including legs and tilt. However, few clinical tests have evaluated the efficiency of these exercises and little attention is given to the deep lumbar stabilizer muscles. The aim of this study is to verify the effectiveness of three different treatments in patients with chronic low back pain. Forty-five individuals from 18 to 45 years old of both genders will participate of this research. They will be divided in three groups: 1. The strengthing: Patients will realize abdominal and superficial paravertebral in order to strength muscles; 2. The stretching: Patients will realize exercises in order to stretching paravertebral muscles, 3. The lumbar stabilization: Patients will realize exercises in order to increasing stabilization of lumbar multifidus (ML) and transversus abdominis (TA) muscles. The pain will be evaluated by Visual Analogical Scale (VAS) and McGill Pain Questionnaire; the functional capacity by Oswestry Incapacity Index; the posture by photography, and TA recruitment by Pressure Biofeedback Unit. The treatment will use specific exercises to each group according to purpose, and will be realized on 12 sessions of physical therapy twice a week. Pain and functional capacity will be measured before and after the treatment, three and six months after this. For the statistical analysis, significance level will be set at α<0.05.Key words: Stretch, Stabilization, Low back pain, Physical Therapy, Instability.

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

FRANÇA, Fábio Jorge Renovato. Lumbar segmental stabilization, strengthening and stretching in chronic low back pain: a comparative study. 2009. Master's Dissertation - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina (FM/SBD) São Paulo.