Effects of Lumbar Stability and Hip Joint Mobility Exercise with Pilates Devices on Pain Level and Muscle-Joint Function in Middle-Aged Women with Chronic Low Back Pain

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the effects of 10 weeks of lumbar stability and hip mobility exercises using Pilates devices on pain level and muscle joint function in middle-aged women with chronic low back pain (CLBP). Further, we aimed to investigate the efficacy of Pilates hip mobility exercise (HME) as an exercise for improving CLBP in middle-aged women by comparing the effectiveness of lumbar stability exercise (LSE) and HME.METHODS: Thirty-two middle-aged women with CLBP were enrolled and randomly divided and placed into two groups: the LSE group (n=16) and HME group (n=16). Both groups performed Pilates exercises for 50 minutes twice a week for 10 weeks.RESULTS: The Korean Oswestry Disability Index score in both the LSE and HME groups decreased at 5 weeks (p<.05). Hip internal rotation range of motion (ROM) and external rotation ROM increased at 5 and 10 weeks in both the LSE and HME groups (p<.01). Lumbar mobility increased at 5 weeks in both the LSE (p<.01) and HME groups (p<.001). Lumbar stability in the prone plank test significantly increased at 5 weeks in the LSE group (p<.001) and at 5 and 10 weeks in the HME group (p<.001). Lumbar stability by the side plank test significantly increased at 5 and 10 weeks in both the LSE and HME groups (p<.001).CONCLUSIONS: We found that using Pilates to perform both LSE and HME helped relieve back pain and improve muscle joint function in middle-aged women with CLBP. There was no significant difference between LSE and HME in terms of efficacy. HME is a highly effective exercise for improving CLBP in middle-aged women.