Effects of combined trunk stretching and lumbar stabilization exercises for chronic non-specific low back pain: a randomized clinical trial.

Both groups experienced significant reductions in pain intensity after the intervention.

• Thirty-four CNLBP subjects were randomized into two groups: active trunk stretching + lumbar segmental stabilization (AS+LSS, n=17) and placebo stretching + lumbar segmental stabilization (PS+LSS, n=17).
• One-hour sessions were performed twice a week for six weeks.
• Pain intensity was assessed at baseline, after 6 weeks, and at 12 and 24 weeks follow-up.
• No statistically significant differences in pain intensity were observed between the two groups.

Both groups experienced significant reductions in functional disability after the intervention.

• Functional disability was assessed at baseline, after 6 weeks, and at 12 and 24 weeks follow-up.
• Both the AS+LSS and PS+LSS groups showed significant improvements in functional disability.
• No statistically significant differences in functional disability were observed between the two groups.

Depression and anxiety showed significant improvements during the intervention but these improvements did not persist at follow-up.

• Emotional state was assessed at baseline, after 6 weeks, and at 12 and 24 weeks follow-up.
• Significant improvements in depression and anxiety were observed during the 6-week intervention period.
• Improvements in depression and anxiety did not persist at the 12 and 24 weeks follow-up assessments.
• No statistically significant differences between the groups were observed for emotional state variables.

No statistically significant differences were observed between the AS+LSS and PS+LSS groups for any of the studied variables.

• Variables assessed included pain intensity, pain quality, functional disability, global impression of recovery, emotional state, symptoms, and adverse effects.
• Assessments were conducted at baseline, after 6 weeks, and at 12 and 24 weeks follow-up.
• The absence of between-group differences suggests that the addition of active trunk stretching to lumbar segmental stabilization does not provide additional benefit over lumbar segmental stabilization alone.

The study concluded that lumbar segmental stabilization exercises alone are sufficient for reducing pain and functional disability in CNLBP patients.

• Both protocols—active trunk stretching combined with lumbar segmental stabilization and placebo stretching combined with lumbar segmental stabilization—were found to be beneficial for CNLBP patients.
• The trial was a randomized clinical design with 34 participants across two groups.
• The intervention consisted of one-hour sessions performed twice a week for six weeks.
• No statistically significant between-group differences were found across any outcome measure, supporting the sufficiency of lumbar segmental stabilization alone.