The Effects of Exercise Using a Stretching Platform on Pain, Proprioception, Balance, and Mobility in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain

INTRODUCTION: Chronic low back pain (LBP) is defined as pain lasting more than 3 months, which is the first among musculoskeletal system diseases. This study aimed to examine and compare the effects of exercises applied with a stretching platform in addition to conservative treatment (CT) and CT only on pain, proprioception, balance, and mobility in patients with chronic low back pain (LBP).
METHODS: 55 people with chronic LBP were included in the study and randomly divided into 2 groups. Group 1 were included in the CT, group 2 were included in the exercise program applied with a stretching platform in addition to the CT. Pain intensity with Visual Analog Scale (VAS), proprioception sense with the active re-creation of passive positioning method without extremity support, mobility with Modified Schober Test (MST), Hand Finger-Ground Distance Measurement (HFGDM) and Trunk Lateral Bending Measurement (TLBM), balance level with Functional Reach Test (FRT), functionality with Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and quality of life was assessed with the EuroQol Group 5D-3L.
RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were observed between the results of pain, proprioception, MST, HFGDM and TLBM, FRT, ODI and EuroQol Group 5D-3L in intragroup evaluations (p<0,05). In intergroup analysis, the VAS score during activity and 15° right ankle plantar flexion in proprioception evaluation were superior in the Group 2 compared to the group 1 (p<0.05).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: It was observed that CT and exercises applied with a stretching platform in the treatment of LBP had positive effects on pain, proprioception, mobility, balance, functionality, and qoL.