Effects of Sling Exercise on Pain, Trunk Strength, and Balance in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain

Abstract

Purpose:The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of sling exercise on pain, trunk strength, and balance in patients with chronic low back pain in their 40s and 50s. Methods: Twenty patients with chronic low back pain were divided into two groups, 10 patients in the exercise group using a sling and 10 patients in the waist stabilization exercise group, applying a random assignment, draw-out method, and sling exercise was applied for 50 minutes a day, 3 times a week, for a total of 5 weeks. For data analysis, a corresponding t-test was performed for within-group changes and an independent t-test was performed for inter-group changes, and the significance level was α= 0.05. Results: After 5 weeks, there were significant differences in all items of within-group changes, and the inter-group changes after 5 weeks demonstrated significant differences in pain, trunk flexion strength, and balance. Conclusion:The results of this study showed that exercise using a sling had positive effects on pain, trunk flexion strength, and balance changes in chronic low back pain patients. It is suggested that sling exercise can be used as an intervention method for pain reduction and functional improvement of patients with chronic low back pain in clinical practice.