Effect of Core Stability Exercises at Home on Functional Ability and Chronic Low Back Pain (LBP) in Male Dentists

Abstract

Background: Lumbar Back Pain (LBP) as the most common musculoskeletal disorder in dentists has increased. Core stabilization exercises, as a new exercise method, can affect individual's abdominal and lumbar muscles. Given the deleterious effects of LBP on the performance of dentists. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the effect of core stabilization exercises at home on functional ability and chronic LBP in male dentists. Methods: The population of the present quasi-experimental study included all male dentists in Kermanshah. Forty volunteered dentists with LBP were divided to experimental and control groups. Research tools included Quebec Back Pain Questionnaire for measuring LBP and Oswestry Disability Questionnaire for measuring the degree of disability in daily living activities. The exercise program was designed for the experimental group as three sessions per week for six weeks. Data were analyzed with paired and independent t-tests and the normality of the data was verified with Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Results: Spine stabilization exercises have a significant effect on functional ability (P = 0.02) and level of pain in male dentists of Kermanshah (P = 0.04). Conclusions: This intervention is safe, easy, accessible and effective without any side effects.

Comparison of Core Stability Exercises with Williams’ Flexion Exercises in Patients with Non-Specific low back pain

“…The previous studies showed that stabilization exercises are equally effective as the other interventions like whole-body vibration for the reduction in chronic low back pain [4,5]. Stability exercises and movement are dependent on the coordination of all the muscles adjacent to the lumbar spine and not only on the lumbar multifidi and transverse abdominal [34].…”

“…The most common thought is that 5-10% of people develop chronic pain, the occurrence of chronic back pain [42-75%] and recurrence of back pain [24-84%] have been reported [3]. In different works of literature and articles, the prevalence of low back pain has been published several times [4,5]. Non-Specific Low Back Pain is a common disabling condition that affects not only a physical condition but also the psychological condition of the patient and is not caused by a serious pathology [6].…”

“…The physical part of deconditioning involves both stiffnesses of the lumbar spine -pelvic-femoral unit, decreased muscle strength and endurance, loss of cardiorespiratory adjustment to physical exertion, and neuromuscular inhibition [10]. The sedentary lifestyle not only increases the fat content in the body but also causes progressive muscular weakness and causes decreased lumber core stability [5,11]. The Non-specific low back pain with a tendency to reoccur, causes the absence from work for a varied duration, depending upon the condition of the person, with a resulting loss of productivity and efficiency, at last causing a great financial load on health systems also imposing great costs on society [12].…”