Comparison of the Effectiveness of Stabilization and Isokinetic Exercise Programs in Patients With Chronic Lumbar Pain

Abstract

Objective: To compare dynamic lumbar stabilization and isokinetic exercise programs in patients with chronic lumbar pain. Design: Randomized controlled study. Setting: Exercise treatment.Participants: 84 patients between the ages of 18 and 55 years with complaints of lumbar pain due to at least 3 months of lumbar diskal hernia and who did not have any neurologic deficits.Interventions: Group 1 was given dynamic lumbar stabilization (DLS) exercises and lumbar school education (LSE) 3d/wk, 1h/d for a period of 6 weeks. Group 2 was given isokinetic exercises and LSE 3d/wk, 30min/d for a period of 6 weeks. Group 3 (control) was given only LSE. Main Outcome Measures: Visual analog scale (VAS), angular velocities of 90°/s and 120°/s performedby Biodex System 3 Pro isokinetic dynamometer, and lifting capacity with progressive isoinertial lifting evaluation (PILE). Results: Group 1 was the best, followed by group 2 and group 3 (P.01). Significant improvement in VAS was observed in groups 1 and 2; in group 3, there was only posttreatment improvement and improvement was not maintained at month 3. When muscle strength and endurance results were compared, increase in muscle strength and endurance values in group 2 was higher compared with the other groups. The 90° extension peak torque results performed in group 2 in month 3 were statistically significant compared with the other groups. In the PILE lifting capacity, more improvement was detected in the groups 1 and 2 compared with the control group (P.05). Conclusion: The DLS and isokinetic exercise program had positive effects on lifting capacity, skeletal muscle power, and endurance in patients with chronic lumbar disk hernia. Key Words: Education; Exercise; Low back pain; Rehabilitation; Treatment outcome. Poster 53