[Purpose] This study compared the effectiveness of stabilization and McKenzie exercises on pain, disability, and thickness of the transverse abdominis and multifidus muscles in patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain. [Subjects] Thirty patients were randomly assigned into two groups: the McKenzie and stabilization exercise groups. [Methods] Before and after intervention, pain, disability, and thickness of the transverse abdominis and multifidus muscles were evaluated by visual analogue scale, functional rating index, and sonography, respectively. The training program was 18 scheduled sessions of individual training for both groups. [Results] After interventions, the pain score decreased in both groups. The disability score decreased only in the stabilization group. The thickness of the left multifidus was significantly increased during resting and contracting states in the stabilization group. The thickness of the right transverse abdominis during the abdominal draw-in maneuver, and thickness of the left transverse abdominis during the active straight leg raising maneuver were significantly increased in the stabilization group. The intensity of pain, disability score, thickness of the right transverse abdominis during the abdominal draw-in manouver, and thickness of the left transverse abdominis during active straight leg raising in the stabilization group were greater than those on the Mackenzie. [Conclusion] Stabilization exercises are more effective than McKenzie exercises in improving the intensity of pain and function score and in increasing the thickness of the transverse abdominis muscle.

PURPOSE: Tension type headache (TTH) is one of the most prevalent types of headache. TTH is classified as episodic if it occurs on less than 15 days a month and as chronic if it occurs more often. Tension, anxiety and depression are some etiological factors for TTH which leads to work efficiency reduction. Today the interest in non-pharmacological methods is increasing; massage is one of these approaches which has no side effects. Aim of this study was to investigate the effects of neck Myofascial Release (MFR) techniques and exercise therapy on pain intensity and disability in patients with chronic tension-type headache.METHODS: This randomized clinical trial study was investigated on 30 females suffering from TTH. Participants were randomly assigned into two equal groups (n=15). The MFR group received neck MFR massage and exercise therapy four times a week for 3 weeks, each session lasting 45 minutes. Control group had no intervention. Outcomes were headache intensity and disability measured by numerical rating scale (NRS) and headache disability index (HDI), respectively. Data was analysed through independent and pair t-test.RESULTS: Between group comparison showed significant improvement of headache intensity and disability rate in MFR group (p<0.05) than control group (p=0.000).DISCUSSION: This study provides evidences that MFR technique and exercise therapy have significant effect on patients with TTH.

The stabilizing exercises can remarkably improve pain, disability, and pelvic floor muscles function in postpartum lumbopelvic pain (Clinical Trial Registry: NCT03030846).