Background: Lumbar stabilisation exercise has been shown to reduce pain and disability in patients with low back pain but information on its potential benefits in term of back muscle endurance is scarce. Objective: This study was aimed at investigating the effects of augmenting conventional physiotherapy with lumbar stabilization exercises on selected variables of patients with non-specific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP). Methods: Forty individuals with NSCLBP aged 20-60 years were assigned to one of experimental or control groups (20 in each). The experimental group had lumbar stabilisation exercises in addition to conventional therapy (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator and infrared) which was the only treatment for the control group. Both groups were treated thrice weekly. Participants’ pain intensity, disability index, kinesiophobia level and back muscle endurance were evaluated at baseline and after 8 weeks. Results: There was significant reduction in pain intensity (experimental: 6.74±1.37; 3.48±1.09; control: 6.57±1.40; 2.96±1.13) and disability index (experimental: 46.60±16.67; 26.55±14.78; control: 32.10±16.16; 24.60±15.27) and increase in back muscle endurance (experimental: 11.05±8.39; 14.30±19.24s; control: 10.85±9.79; 13.90±11.63s) for both groups. Experimental group had significantly greater reduction (p < 0.05) in disability index than the controls (p = 0.048). Conclusion: Augmenting conventional physiotherapy with lumbar stabilisation exercises achieved better reduction in disability than conventional therapy alone in patients with NSCLBP. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.19(3) 2020 p.467-474

BackgroundThe degree of weightlessness during water immersion is usually estimated through percentage weight bearing (PWB). However, variations in PWB in different standing postures have not been documented. The study was designed to investigate the PWB of apparently healthy individuals in four standing postures at the anterior superior iliac spine level of immersion.MethodsOne hundred and ninety-three consenting undergraduates were purposively enlisted in this study. Participants’ body weight (BW) was measured on land as well as in Erect Standing (ES), Grasp-Inclined-Prone-Standing (GIPS), Half-Grasp-Inclined-Towards-Side Standing (HGITSS) and Inclined-Standing with Head Support (ISHS) postures in hydro pool, using a specially designed water-proof weighing scale. PWB was calculated by dividing BW in water by BW on land and multiplying by 100. Data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation and ANOVA at α = 0.05.ResultsThe mean age and BW (on land) of the participants were 22.4 years and 60.7 kg respectively. Participants’ PWB were significantly different (p < 0.05) across the four standing postures. PWB was highest in ES and lowest in ISHS; PWB in ES (52.3 ± 5.8) being significantly higher (p < 0.001) than that observed in the derived standing postures. Further, PWB in GIPS (43.3 ± 5.6) and ISHS (43.2 ± 7.3) were significantly lower than in HGITSS (47.4 ± 5.2) posture while PWB in GIPS and ISHS postures were not significantly different (p > 0.05).ConclusionChanges in standing posture have significant effect on PWB in hydro pool. The finding has implication for partial weight bearing exercises in hydro pool.

This work was carried out in collaboration between the two authors. Author AAO worked on the research design, performed statistical analysis and wrote the protocol for exercise trainings. Author MMO worked on the materials for trainings and led exercise training teamsand actualized exercise training programmes as well as wrote the first draft of the manuscript. The authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Background:The hydro-pool is widely used for health promotion and rehabilitation, yet information regarding resting cardiovascular responses of male and female adults to acute water immersion is scarce.Objective: This study evaluated gender influence on resting Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP), Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP), Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) and pulse rate of apparently healthy adults during acute water immersion in erect standing (ES) at xiphisternum level.Methods: 193 healthy adults (96 males and 97 females) who were non-regular swimmers participated in this study. Participants' Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated using their height and body weight measured on land. The SBP, DBP and pulse rate were measured on land and in the hydro-pool after 2 to 3 minutes of immersion using an electronic blood pressure monitor. The MAP was calculated using the formula: MAP= DBP+ (SBP-DBP/3). Data were analysed using paired sampled t test and mixed design two-way ANOVA at p<0.05.Results: Participants' ages ranged between 18 and 38 years (mean age = 22.4±2.7 years). The BMI of male and female participants were not significantly different. Male and female groups experienced significant reductions in MAP (5.9mmHg vs 4.9mmHg), DBP (7.7mmHg vs 5.4mmHg) and pulse rate (4.4bpm vs 8.1bpm), respectively, during water immersion. However, SBP on land and during water immersion for both groups were not significantly different. There were significant main effects for all the cardiovascular parameters measured but significant interraction effects (environment x gender) were found for MAP and SBP only. Conclusion:Human cardiovascular responses to acute immersion in a hydro-pool is influenced by gender with respect to MAP and SBP. This should always be considered during hydrotherapy.