The Effect of Hydrotherapy on Pain, Joint Position Sense, and Two-Point Discrimination in Women with Nonspecific Chronic Low Back Pain

Abstract

Introduction: Patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain experience deficit in joint position sense acuity and two-point discrimination, and these deficits are associated with pain in these patients. The aim of present study was to evaluate the effect of hydrotherapy on pain, joint position sensee, and two-point discrimination in patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain and motor control impairment. Material and Methods: 25 women with nonspecific chronic low back pain were selected using Oswestry Disability Questionnaire, and randomly assigned into 2 groups of hydrotherapy (n = 12) and control (n = 13). The experimental group performed an eight weeks of hydrotherapy exercises, and control group did not perform exercise. Before and after complementation of intervention, visual analogue scale, goniometer, and caliper were used to assess pain, joint position sense, and two-point discrimination, respectively. Within and between group comparisons were done using paired t and independent t tests. Results: In hydrotherapy group, there were significant differences between pretest and posttest in pain (P = 0.007), joint positon sense (P = 0.005), and two-point discrimination (P = 0.008); whereas there was not any significant difference in control group. Conclusion: Hydrotherapy exercises result in decreasing pain, improvement in joint position sense, and two-point discrimination of women with nonspecific chronic low back pain and motor control impairment. So, use of these exercises is recommended for treatment of nonspecific chronic low back pain.