Lumbar Strengthening in Chronic Low Back Pain Patients: Physiological and Psychological Benefits
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2-1993
Publication Title
Spine
Keywords
Exercise therapy, isometric contraction, lumbosacral region
Abstract
The effects of exercise for isolated lumbar extensor muscles were examined in 54 chronic low-back pain patients. Subjects were randomly assigned to a 10-week exercise program (N = 31) or a wait-list control group (N = 23). Results indicated a significant increase in isometric lumbar extension strength for the treatment group and a significant reduction in reported pain compared with the control group (P 0.05). Treated subjects reported less physical and psychosocial dysfunction whereas the control group increased in pain, and physical and psychosocial dysfunction. There were no concomitant changes in reported daily activity levels. These results show that lumbar extension exercise is beneficial for strengthening the lumbar extensors and results in decreased pain and improved perceptions of physical and psychosocial functioning in chronic back pain patients. However, these improvements were not related to changes in activities or psychological distress.
Recommended Citation
Risch, S V.; Norvell, N K.; Pollock, Michael L.; Risch, E D.; Langer, H; Fulton, M; Graves, James PhD; and Leggett, Scott H., "Lumbar Strengthening in Chronic Low Back Pain Patients: Physiological and Psychological Benefits" (1993). Department of Exercise, Health and Sport Science. 75.
https://digitalcommons.usm.maine.edu/sportscience/75
