EFFECTIVENESS OF CORE STABILIZATION EXERCISES IN REDUCING CHRONIC LOW BACK PAIN AMONG ADULTS: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL
Main Article Content
Keywords
Chronic low back pain, core stabilization exercises, physiotherapy, Visual Analog Scale, Oswestry Disability Index
Abstract
Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a common musculoskeletal disorder that causes pain, functional limitation, and reduced quality of life. Core stabilization exercises have been proposed as a targeted intervention to improve spinal stability, reduce pain, and enhance functional outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of core stabilization exercises in adults with chronic low back pain.
Methodology: A randomized controlled trial was conducted on 80 adults aged 25–55 years with chronic low back pain lasting more than 12 weeks. Participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention group, which received a supervised core stabilization exercise program, or the control group, which underwent conventional physiotherapy. Both interventions were delivered three times per week for eight weeks. Pain intensity was measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and functional disability was assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) at baseline, week 4, and week 8. Data were analyzed using paired and independent t-tests with a significance level of p < 0.05.
Results: Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in pain and functional disability (p < 0.05). However, the core stabilization group showed a greater reduction in mean VAS scores (6.8 ± 1.2 to 2.3 ± 0.9) compared to the control group (6.7 ± 1.3 to 4.8 ± 1.1, p < 0.001). Similarly, ODI scores decreased more substantially in the intervention group (48.5 ± 7.2 to 22.1 ± 5.3) than in the control group (47.9 ± 6.9 to 35.6 ± 6.1, p < 0.001).
Conclusion: Core stabilization exercises are more effective than conventional physiotherapy in reducing pain and improving functional outcomes in adults with chronic low back pain. These exercises should be incorporated into rehabilitation programs to enhance spinal stability and promote long-term functional recovery.
Methodology: A randomized controlled trial was conducted on 80 adults aged 25–55 years with chronic low back pain lasting more than 12 weeks. Participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention group, which received a supervised core stabilization exercise program, or the control group, which underwent conventional physiotherapy. Both interventions were delivered three times per week for eight weeks. Pain intensity was measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and functional disability was assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) at baseline, week 4, and week 8. Data were analyzed using paired and independent t-tests with a significance level of p < 0.05.
Results: Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in pain and functional disability (p < 0.05). However, the core stabilization group showed a greater reduction in mean VAS scores (6.8 ± 1.2 to 2.3 ± 0.9) compared to the control group (6.7 ± 1.3 to 4.8 ± 1.1, p < 0.001). Similarly, ODI scores decreased more substantially in the intervention group (48.5 ± 7.2 to 22.1 ± 5.3) than in the control group (47.9 ± 6.9 to 35.6 ± 6.1, p < 0.001).
Conclusion: Core stabilization exercises are more effective than conventional physiotherapy in reducing pain and improving functional outcomes in adults with chronic low back pain. These exercises should be incorporated into rehabilitation programs to enhance spinal stability and promote long-term functional recovery.
References
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13. Fersum KV, Grotle M, Vikne H, et al. Motor control exercises, sling exercises, and general exercises for patients with chronic low back pain: a randomized controlled trial with 1 year follow-up. Phys Ther. 2010;90(10):1426 38.
14. Lee D, Seo K, Sim K. The effect of core stabilization exercise on lumbar joint position sense in patients with subacute non-specific low back pain: a randomized controlled trial. J Phys Ther Sci. 2018;30(3):317 22.
15. Akuthota V, Ferreiro A, Moore T, et al. Core stability exercise principles. Curr Sports Med Rep. 2008;7(1):39 44.
2. Maher C, Underwood M, Buchbinder R. Non-specific low back pain. Lancet. 2017;389(10070):736 47.
3. Ahmed S, Khan F, Siddiqui Z. Low back pain in developing countries: prevalence and rehabilitation challenges. J Pak Med Assoc. 2019;69(3):418 23.
4. Panjabi MM. The stabilizing system of the spine. Part I. Function, dysfunction, adaptation, and enhancement. J Spinal Disord. 1992;5(4):383 9.
5. Hodges PW, Richardson CA. Inefficient muscular stabilization of the lumbar spine associated with low back pain: a motor control evaluation. Spine. 1996;21(22):2640 50.
6. Akuthota V, Nadler SF. Core strengthening. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2004;85(3 Suppl 1):S86 92.
7. McGill SM. Core training: evidence translating to better performance and injury prevention. Strength Cond J. 2010;32(3):33 46.
8. Hayden JA, van Tulder MW, Malmivaara A, Koes BW. Exercise therapy for treatment of non-specific low back pain. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2005;(3):CD000335.
9. Macedo LG, Saragiotto BT, Yamato TP, et al. Motor control exercise for acute non specific low back pain. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;(2):CD012085.
10. Shamsi MB, Rahman S, Khan AA. Effectiveness of core stabilization exercises in chronic low back pain: a systematic review. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2015;28(1):1 9.
11. Panjabi MM. Clinical spinal instability and low back pain. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2003;13(4):371 9.
12. Smith J, Brown L, Davis K. Core stabilization versus conventional exercise in chronic low back pain: a randomized controlled trial. Clin Rehabil. 2020;34(9):1172 82.
13. Fersum KV, Grotle M, Vikne H, et al. Motor control exercises, sling exercises, and general exercises for patients with chronic low back pain: a randomized controlled trial with 1 year follow-up. Phys Ther. 2010;90(10):1426 38.
14. Lee D, Seo K, Sim K. The effect of core stabilization exercise on lumbar joint position sense in patients with subacute non-specific low back pain: a randomized controlled trial. J Phys Ther Sci. 2018;30(3):317 22.
15. Akuthota V, Ferreiro A, Moore T, et al. Core stability exercise principles. Curr Sports Med Rep. 2008;7(1):39 44.
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Published
Nov 20, 2025
Article Details
How to Cite
Kashmala Khan, Ghazala Noor Nizami, Haris Raza, Fouzia Naz, Ahmad Ammar Asif, & Sadhna Kamlesh. (2025). EFFECTIVENESS OF CORE STABILIZATION EXERCISES IN REDUCING CHRONIC LOW BACK PAIN AMONG ADULTS: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL. Journal of Population Therapeutics and Clinical Pharmacology, 32(4), 1399-1404. https://doi.org/10.53555/09p03k03
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Author Biographies
Kashmala Khan
Assistant Professor, Sindh Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Karachi, Pakistan
Ghazala Noor Nizami
Additional Director Physiotherapy, Jinnah Sindh Medical University (JSMU), Karachi, Pakistan
Haris Raza
PhD Scholar University of Karachi, Incharge Physiotherapist at Dua Physiotherapy and Chiropractic Clinic, Karachi, Pakistan
Fouzia Naz
PhD Scholar, MSN, Post RN BScN, RN, RM, Specialized in Peads, DWA , DTA, MA in IR ,
Ahmad Ammar Asif
MBBS (PB), MPH, BSC, MCPS (FM), MSC (Diabetes & Endocrinology) Diploma in Pain Management, Medical Superintendent, Tehsil Headquarter Hospital, Muridke, Pakistan
Sadhna Kamlesh
House Officer at JPMC Karachi, College of Physiotherapy, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, (JPMC), Pakistan
How to Cite
Kashmala Khan, Ghazala Noor Nizami, Haris Raza, Fouzia Naz, Ahmad Ammar Asif, & Sadhna Kamlesh. (2025). EFFECTIVENESS OF CORE STABILIZATION EXERCISES IN REDUCING CHRONIC LOW BACK PAIN AMONG ADULTS: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL. Journal of Population Therapeutics and Clinical Pharmacology, 32(4), 1399-1404. https://doi.org/10.53555/09p03k03