Effects of a Strengthening Program for Lower Back in Older Women with Chronic Low Back Pain

Abstract

Purpose:The purpose of this study was to identify effects of a strengthening program for the lower back in older women with chronic low back pain. Methods: The research design was a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest experiment. The experimental group consisted of 16 older women and the control group, 14, all of whom had experienced low back pain for at least 3 months. The strengthening program for the lower back included lumbar stabilization exercises and education on pain management in daily living. For an 8 week period, exercises were done 3 days a week and on one day education was also given. Results: Pain and disability scores decreased significantly in the experimental group compared to the control group. Flexibility, life satisfaction and lumbar muscle strength scores increased significantly in the experimental group compared to the control group. Conclusion: Low back pain and disability can be relieved, and flexibility, muscle strength, and life satisfaction increased through a program to strengthen the lower back. It is suggested that a program to strengthen the lower back would be an effective nursing intervention for older women with low back pain.

Effect of flexibility exercise on lumbar angle: A study among non-specific low back pain patients

“…Increases of lumbar angle after the flexibility exercise program indicated the release of the tightened tissues surrounding the lower back, which is a major feature of a stiff back. The evidence of increasing of the back range of motion associated with pain reduction had been reported in previous LBP research (Bravo et al, 1996;Mannion et al, 1999;Kofotolis and Kellis, 2006;Hyoung, 2008). Nonetheless, it was not possible to compare the degree of the lumbar angle change due to the different methods used.…”

Síntomas Músculo-Esqueléticos en Trabajadores Operativos del Área de Mantenimiento de una Empresa Petrolera Ecuatoriana

“…Gómez y Valero 26 sugieren que los trabajadores realicen en las organizaciones, especialmente en las horas de descanso, ejercicios físicos de estiramientos y técnicas de relajación. Holtermann, Blangsted, Christensen, Hansen, Soogard y Hyoung 27,28 recomiendan dar mayor importancia a la fuerza muscular para conservar una adecuada salud músculo-esquelética y evitar este tipo de lesiones.…”

Physiotherapeutic intervention on chronic lumbar pain impact in the elderly

“…This loss of muscle mass and strength, in addition to reaching peripheral muscles, may also affect deep abdominal muscles and cause lumbar spine instability. So, stabilizing exercises may be indicated as a more effective approach to strengthen such muscles 14 . There are many reasons for pain in this population, which may be mechanical (where pain increases with movement or load) or non-mechanical (when pain is present at rest) 24 .…”

“…In addition to allowing better pain control, it decreases incapacity and costs generated by the disease 12 . When this approach is associated to strengthening lumbar region with stabilizing exercises 14 , since the elderly affected by low back pain have further spinal instability 19 , treatment becomes more effective and promising. Os exercícios de estabilização segmentar promovem contração da musculatura profunda do tronco, principalmente dos mús-culos transversos do abdômen e multífido.…”