Comparison of the effect of Pilates exercises and Back rehabilitation protocol on pain, core strength and functional status in patients with lumbar disc herniation

Aim- To compare the effectiveness of Pilates exercises and Back rehabilitationprotocol on pain, core strength and functional status in low back pain patientswith lumbar disc herniation. Hypothesis - Pilates exercises protocol is more effectivethan conventional Back rehabilitation protocol for reducing pain, improvingfunctional status and increasing core muscle strength in low back pain patientswith lumbar disc herniation. Methodology– Thirty-nine subjects were included in the study and allocated in two groupsPilates and Back rehabilitation group. They were given supervised interventionfor 2 weeks followed by 2 weeks of home exercise program. Hot fomentation andergonomic advice were given to patients in both the groups. Outcome measuresassessed were VAS, Pressure biofeedback unit and Oswestry disability index toassess pain, core strength, and disability respectively pre-treatment at week 0and post 4-week intervention. Results– Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 24. There was a significantdifference on an intra-group analysis in outcome measures in Pilates and Backrehabilitation group, however, a non-significant difference existed on aninter-group comparison between the two groups (p-value ≥ 0.05). Conclusion– Both the intervention techniques that is Pilates exercises and Backrehabilitation protocol were equally effective in reducing pain, increasingcore strength and reducing disability over a period of 4 weeks in low back painpatients with lumbar disc herniation.

Key words- Pilatesexercises, Back rehabilitation, low back pain, lumbar disc herniation