Abstract

Objective: To compare the effects of spinal stabilization exercises with and without stretching of latissimus dorsi muscle in chronic mechanical low back pain.
Methodology: This Randomized controlled trial of chronic mechanical low back patients at Shifa international hospital Islamabad was conducted during September 2018 to February 2019. Using convenient sampling technique the data were collected from 40 subjects following the inclusion criteria of 20 to 60 years having chronic low back pain from 7-12 weeks . Subjects were randomized in two groups. Control Group received spinal stabilization while the experimental group received the spinal stabilization exercises with stretching of latissimus dorsi stretch. The outcome tools were NPRS and Oswerty Disability Index.
Results: Within group comparison of NPRS after week 4 of treatment Median + P-value of Control group was 1(1.75) + 0.00 while in experimental group 1(1) + 0.00. Median + P-value, for ODI in Control group was 1(1) + 0.00 while in experimental group was 0(1) + 0.00 at 4th week. For between group comparison, baseline Median (IQR) + U-stats of control group at initial week was 6(0) + 180.5 and of experimental group was 6(2) + 180.5 whereas P-value was 0.54 respectively. After 4 weeks of intervention it was 1(1) + 145 and 0(1) + 145 respectively, p-value was 0.112.
Conclusion: Spinal stabilization exercises are effective for management of chronic Low back pain. There was significant improvement in functional index and reduction in pain with use of the spinal stabilization combination with Latissimus dorsi stretch.

Key words: : Spinal stabilization, latissimus dorsi, low back pain.