Randomized Controlled Trial of Specific Spinal Stabilization Exercises and Conventional Physiotherapy for Recurrent Low Back Pain.

Cairns, Mindy C. PhD, MMACP, MCSP, MSc (Manip Ther) ; Foster, Nadine E. DPhil, BSc (Hons), MCSP, PGCE; Wright, Chris BSc, AFIMA, FSS

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of adding specific spinal stabilization exercises to conventional physiotherapy for patients with recurrent low back pain (LBP).  The two groups studied were conventional physiotherapy consisting of general active exercise and manual therapy and conventional physiotherapy plus specific spinal stabilization exercises. The results showed that there were no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups for any of the outcomes measured, at any time.  The authors therefore conclude that patients with LBP had improvement with both treatment packages to a similar degree. There was no additional benefit of adding specific spinal stabilization exercises to a conventional physiotherapy package for patients with recurrent LBP.

Spine.    31(19):E670-E681, September 1, 2006.

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