EFFECTS OF SIX WEEKS STRUCTURED EXERCISE THERAPY ON PHYSICAL FUNCTIONAL PERFORMANCE, DYNAMIC BALANCE AND GAIT CHARACTERISTICS OF CHRONIC LOW BACK PAIN PATIENTS.

ABSTRACT

Background: Chronic Low Back Pain CLBP) is one of the musculoskeletal conditions resulting in disability globally. Reduced physical functional performance (PFP), dynamic balance (DB) and abnormal gait characteristics (GC) are reported in literature as part of complications of CLBP among affected persons. Exercise therapy has been reported beneficial in reducing the effects of CLBP with added benefits of affordability, acceptability and adaptability as it requires less technological advancement. However, research reports are scanty on the effect of exercise therapy on the PFP, DB and GC, hence, the need for this research. Aim: This study aimed at investigating the effects of six weeks structured exercise therapy (SWSET) on the PFP, DB and GC of patients with CLBP. Methods: This was a randomized experimental study, with twenty four participants aged 18 years and above. Participants were patients with CLBP receiving physiotherapy care at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital in Benin City. They were randomly assigned into two groups, the intervention group and the control group. Core musculature strengthening exercises were administered on the patients within the intervention group while the control group was placed on standard care. The PFP, DB and GC of the patients were assessed at baseline and immediately after six weeks using the Short Physical Performance Battery. To analyze the data descriptive and inferential statistics of Mann Whitney U and Wilcoxon rank test were used. Alpha level was set at 0.05. Results: The mean age was 58.42± 12.93 for the intervention group and 53.33± 11.51 for the control group. In the intervention group, there was significant improvement in the PFP (p=0.014), GC (<0.001) and DB (P=0.011) between the baseline and post intervention. In comparison between the intervention group and the control group, there was significant difference in the GC and PFP but no significant difference was recorded in the DB. Conclusion: SWSET yielded significant improvements in the PFP and GC of the participants. However, between the two groups there was no significant difference in the DB of the patient. Key words: Chronic low back pain, physical functional performance, structured exercise therapy.