• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.53-67
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• 2023

Background: This study comparatively evaluated the effects of equipment-based pilates exercises (EPE) and lumbar stability exercises (LSE) in patients with chronic low back pain in terms of their Visual Analogue Scale(VAS), Oswestry Disability Index(ODI), and abdominal muscle thickness. Methods: A total of 30 participants were recruited and randomly assigned to either the EPE or the LSE. The VAS, ODI, and abdominal muscle thicknesses of the participants were measured before and after the intervention. Results: The EPE were more effective in terms of the duration of a sustained reduction in VAS scores. post hoc test revealed that EPE were more efficacious in terms of a sustained improvement in ODI scores. With respect to changes in abdominal muscle thickness, there was a significant difference in the thickness of internal oblique muscles(IO) and the external oblique muscles(EO) between the two groups. Conclusion: In this study, both types of exercise interventions resulted in improvements in the VAS, ODI scores, and abdominal muscle thickness in patients with chronic low back pain. However, EPE were found to be more effective than LPE in terms of longer sustained improvements in VAS and ODI scores. Also, with respect to abdominal muscle thickness, the thickness of EO and IO improved only in the EPE group.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.75-83
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• 2024

Background: This study conducted a comparative evaluation of the effects of Pilates stabilization exercise combined with pain neuroscience education (PNE) in patients with chronic low back pain. The evaluation was based on their visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, Korean Oswestry disability index (KODI) scores, and fear avoidance belief questionnaire (FABQ) scores. Methods: A total of 36 participants were recruited and randomly assigned to either a Pilates stabilization exercise group (PSE, n=18) or Pilates stabilization exercise combined with pain neuroscience education group (PPNE, n=18). Both the PSE and PPNE groups participated in 50-minute sessions of Pilates stabilization exercise, three times per week for six weeks. The VAS, KODI, and FABQ scores of the participants were measured before and after the intervention. Results: There were significant improvements in the VAS of the PSE and PPNE group, with significant difference found between them. Both groups showed a significant decline in KODI scores following the exercise interventions, with significant difference observed between the two groups. FABQ scores were significantly decline in both groups, with significant difference found between them. Conclusion: In this study, Pilates stabilization exercise combined with pain neuroscience education was found to be more effective than Pilates stabilization exercise alone in reducing the VAS, KODI, and FABQ scores of patients with chronic low back pain. Thus, Pilates stabilization exercise combined with pain neuroscience education can be used in clinical practice to treat and prevent chronic lower back pain.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.15-29
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• 2024

Background: This study investigated the effects on the range of motion, pain, disability index, and quality of life when applying thoracic mobility exercise in middle-aged women with chronic back pain. Design: pretest-posttest control group design Methods: The study subjects were 32 patients with chronic back pain of 3 months or more among middle-aged women divided 2 groups. All groups were tested thrice a week for 30 minutes per session for four weeks. Each subject was evaluated using the thoracic rotation Range of Motion, the numerical pain rating scale and pressure pain threshold, Disability Index(Oswestry Disability Index), the Quality of Life(SF-36) before and after treatment. Results: As a result of the study, the range of motion at T1 and T2 of the exercise group to which thoracic mobility exercise was applied was significantly increased in both left and right rotations(p<0.05). In the evaluation of pain, the number pain rating scale(NPRS) score decreased significantly(p<0.05), and the pressure pain threshold was significantly increased (p<0.05), but there was no significant difference from the control group. In the evaluation of the disorder index, the Oswestry disorder index decreased significantly after the experiment (p<0.05), and there was a significant difference in group comparison with the control group (p<0.05). In quality of life, there was a significant increase in PCS of SF-36(p<0.05), but there was no significant difference from the control group. Conclusion: Through this study, thoracic mobility exercise can be used as an effective exercise therapy intervention method to improve and promote physical factors of range of motion, pain and disability index, and physical components of quality of life when treating middle-aged women with chronic back pain in the future.