Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the therapeutic effects of lumbar strengthening exercises performed on different surfaces (stable versus unstable) in reducing pain intensity, improving muscular endurance, and enhancing postural balance in individuals with low back pain. Method: Twenty participants with visual analog scale (VAS) scores ranging from 4 to 7 were recruited and randomly assigned to either an unstable surface lumbar exercise group (USLEG, n=10) or a stable surface lumbar exercise group (SSLEG, n=10). Both groups completed a 50-minute lumbar strengthening program three times per week for eight weeks. Results: A two-way repeated-measures ANOVA revealed significant group-by-time interaction effects for both the VAS and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) (both p Conclusion: These findings suggest that incorporating unstable surfaces into lumbar strengthening protocols is more effective than traditional stable surface exercises for alleviating pain and enhancing trunk stability. This study highlights the clinical utility of unstable surface training as a strategic intervention to improve functional capacity and neuromuscular control in patients with chronic lower back pain.
Byun et al. (2026) studied this question.