Effect of Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercises in comparison with Core Stability Exercises on Pain, Functional status and Abdominal Muscle Endurance in Post-Partum females with Chronic Low Back Pain

Abstract

Pelvic floor muscle (PFM) exercises and Core stability exercises are the 2 exercise interventions used for the treatment of postpartum females with chronic low back pain (LBP). There is limited evidence for the comparison of the 2 interventions in the patients with chronic LBP. Purpose of the study was to compare the effects of PFM exercises and core stability exercises on pain, functional status and Dynamic Abdominal muscle endurance (DAME) in post-partum females with chronic LBP. It was experimental study design.30 female patients were randomly assigned to receive either pelvic floor muscle exercises or core stability exercises. Pain, functional status and DAME were measured using Numeric Pain Rating Scale, Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire and Dynamic Abdominal Muscle Endurance Test respectively, at baseline and at the end of treatment session in both the groups. Results showed that both PFM exercises and core stability exercises were found to be effective in reducing pain, disability and improving abdominal muscle endurance. However the subjects treated with core stability exercise showed more significant benefits in terms of reduction of pain, disability and improvement in abdominal muscle endurance in treatment of chronic low back pain in post partum females.