Effectiveness of Core Stabilization Exercises and Routine Exercise Therapy in Management of Pain in Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain

ABSTRACT Background of the study: Chronic non-specific low back pain causes significant disability worldwide. This study compared the effectiveness of core stabilization exercises versus routine exercise therapy in managing pain and functional disability. Methodology: A randomized controlled trial included 34 patients with chronic non-specific low back pain at Mayo Hospital, Lahore. Participants were randomly allocated to Group A (core stabilization exercises, n=17) or Group B (routine exercise therapy, n=17). Both groups received conventional hot pack therapy. Treatment was administered three times weekly for four weeks. Outcomes were measured using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) for functional disability. Results: Both groups showed significant improvements (p<0.001). Group A demonstrated superior outcomes with post-treatment VAS scores of 1.24±0.66 versus Group B's 4.18±0.81 (mean difference 2.94, p<0.001). ODI scores were 11.65±2.85 in Group A versus 21.65±2.96 in Group B (mean difference 10.00, p<0.001). Conclusion: Core stabilization exercises were significantly more effective than routine exercise therapy in reducing pain and improving functional disability in chronic non-specific low back pain patients. Keywords: Pain, Low back, Chronic, Stabilization, Nonspecific, Exercise, Core