Volume 6, Issue 2 (Summer 2016)                   PTJ 2016, 6(2): 71-78 | Back to browse issues page


XML Print


Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:

Vahedi G, Mosallanezhad Z, Sokhangooi Y, Abyaneh H, Jafari Mousavi F, Ghodrati M, et al . Small Ball Exercise Program for Patients With Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial. PTJ 2016; 6 (2) :71-78
URL: http://ptj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-252-en.html
1- Department of Sport Biomechanics, Faculty of Physical Education & Sport Sciences, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
2- Department of Physiotherapy, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
3- Research Center on Aging, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
4- Rehabilitation Research Center, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Rehabilitation, Semnan University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Semnan, Iran.
Abstract:   (5948 Views)

Purpose: Low back pain (LBP) is one of the main causes of disability in adults. Approximately 80% of LBPs lead to chronic nonspecific low back pain (CNSLBP). Damages to back region may be due to weak musculoskeletal structure, impaired muscle or joint flexibility, changes in muscle tone, and reduced strength and endurance. A set of exercises by small ball was designed by the corresponding and first authors to improve the balance of muscular activity. The current study aimed at evaluating the efficacy of small ball exercise program compared to Williams exercises, in patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain.
Methods: Among the patients referred to the physical therapy clinics in Tehran, Iran, 30 cases (16 males and 14 females) were selected, considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria, through accessible sampling method in 2014-2015. Demographic information was recorded. The patients were randomly allocated into one of the intervention groups. For both intervention groups, a 10-session routine electrotherapy was applied (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, hot pack, and ultrasound). Additionally, in the intervention group 1, patients received small ball exercises, but the intervention group 2 received Williams exercises (as the control). Treatment was conducted by a physiotherapist and a research fellow assessed pain intensity based on visual analogue scale (VAS) and disability index (Oswestry). Assessments were performed before starting the intervention, after treatment, and then after 2 weeks of follow-up. Paired and independent samples t tests were employed to conduct the statistical analysis by SPSS18.
Results: There was no significant difference between the groups based on the baseline characteristics. In both groups, pain and disability showed significant improvement (P<0.05). But in small ball exercise group, reduction in pain (P=0.004) and disability (P=0.03) were more noticeable even after 2 weeks of follow-up. The applied treatment program was reported more acceptable and effective by patients.
Conclusion: The current study, while proving beneficial effects of Williams exercise with routine physiotherapy in patients with CNSLBP, showed that substitution of these exercises by small balls exercises could enhance the effect of treatment on pain and disability. Small ball exercise program also showed better outcome in the follow-up, and was ranked higher regarding its impact, ease of implementation, and desirability by the patients.

Full-Text [PDF 494 kb]   (1874 Downloads) |   |   Full-Text (HTML)  (1249 Views)  
Type of Study: Research | Subject: Special
Received: 2015/12/28 | Accepted: 2016/05/1 | Published: 2016/07/1

Add your comments about this article : Your username or Email:
CAPTCHA

Send email to the article author


Rights and permissions
Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

© 2024 CC BY-NC 4.0 | Physical Treatments - Specific Physical Therapy Journal

Designed & Developed by: Yektaweb