Effectiveness of selected Motor Control Retraining Exercises on Chronic Low Back Pain in Male Military Personnel with Lumbar Disc Herniation. A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: The most common musculoskeletal disorder among military personnel, especially office workers, is chronic low back pain due to lumbar disc herniation. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect of selected motor control retraining exercises after conventional treatments on the persistence of changes in pain, functional disability, and range of motion in male military personnel with lumbar disc herniation. Methods: Military personnel with lumbar disc herniation were divided into two groups of intervention (N = 18) and control (N = 18) after 10 sessions of conventional exercises. The intervention group performed 60 minutes of motor control retraining exercises three times a week for eight weeks, while the control group continued the usual stretching for back pain. Results: The average scores of pain intensity, functional disability, and range of motion after conventional and selected motor control retraining exercises showed a significant difference (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Motor control retraining exercises after conventional treatments can improve pain, functional disability, and range of motion in male military personnel with chronic back pain caused by lumbar disc herniation. This technique may improve the quality of life and function for military personnel who are at high risk of this disorder. More research is needed to confirm these findings and examine the intervention's long-term effects. These physical exercises may be appropriate for treating people with similar symptoms.