Comparing the Effect of Core Stability Exercises and Electrotherapy on Nonspecific Chronic Low Back Pain in Mother Assistants Working in Mentally or Physical Retarded Children Wards

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Introduction: Low Back Pain (LBP) is the most common cause of daily activities restriction and functional disability. Of various chronic LBPs, the most common type is chronic non-specific LBP. This study aimed to compare the effect of core stability exercises and electrotherapy on relieving symptoms of chronic non-specific LBP in mother assistants working in caring centers for mental-physical disabled children. Material and Methods: A total of 42 mother assistants with nonspecific chronic LBP were randomly selected and put into three groups: the stabilization exercises (n= 15), the electrotherapy (n=15), and the control (n=12). Their mean(SD) age was 40.3 [1.8] years; mean(SD) work background: 15.8 [7.6] years, mean(SD) weight: 69 [11.8] kg, and mean(SD) height: 161.5 [6.3] cm. The first group underwent a 6-week training of core stability exercises every other day; the second group received a 10-session electrotherapy; however, the third group received no treatment at all. The three groups were given pretests and posttests via completing McGill Pain Questionnaire at the beginning of the study. The 1-way analysis of variance to test all variables showed that all groups were matched in terms of job background, height, weight and age. The Shapiro-Wilk test results showed that the difference between the scores of pretest and posttest were normally distributed. To verify the hypotheses, ANOVA test was applied. All analyses were done at significance level of 0.05 using SPSS 22. Results: Results revealed a significant difference in the mean changes chronic LBP in working mother assistants in the electrotherapy group (-31.5), and control group (-1.7) (P=0.000). In other words, a course of electrotherapy led to a significant reduction in chronic non-specific LBP in mother assistants. Conclusion: Electrotherapy compared to core stability exercises contributes significantly in reducing nonspecific chronic LBP in mother assistants working in units for caring children with physical or mental disabilities.