Purpose : This study aimed to investigate the effects of ankle stabilization exercise on pain, pressure pain threshold, pain, flexibility, disability index in patients with non-specific low back pain.
Methods : This single-blinded comparative study ra...
Purpose : This study aimed to investigate the effects of ankle stabilization exercise on pain, pressure pain threshold, pain, flexibility, disability index in patients with non-specific low back pain.
Methods : This single-blinded comparative study randomly assigned 25 patients diagnosed with non-specific low back pain into an experimental group (ankle stabilization exercises and lumbar stabilization exercises) and a control group (lumbar stabilization exercises only). Both groups received interventions three times per week for four weeks. In addition, all participants (n = 25) were assessed for pressure pain threshold, pain, trunk flexion and extension degree, disability index before and after the 4-week intervention period.
Results : Significant improvements were observed in the pressure pain threshold, visual analogue scale, trunk flexion and extension degree, Korean version Oswestry disability index (p < .05). Furthermore, the experimental group demonstrated greater increases or decreases in the measured variables compared with the control group (pressure pain threshold, 2.01 kg vs. .94kg, p < .05; visual analogue scale, -1.92 score vs. -1.33 score, p < .05; trunk flexion distance, 3.39 cm vs. 2.26 cm, p < .05; trunk extension distance, 3.35 cm vs. 2.14 cm, p < .05; Oswestry disability index , 4.2% vs 3.2%, p < .05, respectively)
Conclusion : Incorporating ankle stabilization exercises into rehabilitation programs might improve pain control and enhance functional flexibility in patients with non-specific low back pain.