Comparing the Effectiveness of Specific Lumbar Mobilization and Core Stability Exercises in Mechanical Low Back Pain in Decreasing Pain and Disability: A Randomized Control Trial

Low back pain (LBP) is a global neuro - muscular problem developing significant disability of thoracic, lumbar or sacroiliac joint at any age. Objective: To analysis comparative effectiveness of specific lumbar mobilizations and core stability exercises in mechanical low back pain in reducing pain, ROM and disability. Methods: A patient blinded randomized trial was executed in the department of Physical therapy of Mayo Hospital, Lahore including 45 LBP patients randomly distributed into three groups. Each group received Conventional physical therapy in which Group A was control group, Group B received specific lumbar mobilizations while Group C received core stability exercises. NPRS, RMDQ and MODI were used for assessing pain and disability. SPSS version 24.0 was used for analyzing within and between group analysis through Paired T-test and Independent T- test with p-value <0.05. Results: The results showed conventional therapy, specific lumbar mobilization and core stability exercises are effective in improving pain, ROM and functional status. However; Core stability exercises was more effective with p-values for NPRS (p=0.049), MODI (p=0.038), RMDQ (p=0.003) and for Ranges (R-side flexion; 0.008, L-side flexion; 0.033, R-side rotation; 0.00, L-side rotation; 0.00) as compared to lumbar mobilization. Additionally; there was no substantial difference was found between three groups for flexion and extension. Conclusions: Core stability exercises are statistically and clinically more effective than conventional therapy and specific lumbar mobilizations in improving ROM, decreasing pain and functional status.