• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.9-15
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• 2010

Purpose: To evaluate, in patients with degenerative disc disease (DDD), the efficacy of using spinal stabilizing exercises for the reversal? of atrophy of the multifidus and psoas major, reductions in pain and disability, and for increases in paraspinal muscle strength. Methods: Nineteen patients diagnosed with DDD participated for 10 weeks in a spinal stabilization exercise program. Pain and disability were measured before and after exercise using, respectively, a visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Paraspinal muscular strength in four directions was evaluated using CENTAUR. Both before and after exercise we used computed tomography (CT) too measure cross-sectional areas (CSAs) of both the left and right multifidus and the psoas major at the upper & lower endplate of L4. Results: After 10 weeks of a spinal stabilization exercise program, pain was significantly decreased from $5.7{\pm}0.9$ to $2.5{\pm}0.9$ (p<0.01); the ODI score decreased from $16.7{\pm}4.9$ to $7.3{\pm}3.1$. Paraspinal muscle strength was significantly increased (p<0.01) and the CSAs of the left and right multifidus and psoas major muscles were significantly increased (p<0.01). Conclusion: Spinal stabilization exercise is effective in reversing atrophy in DDD patients, in reducing pain and disability, and in increasing paraspinal muscle strength. It is an effective treatment foro aiding rehabilitation in these cases.

• Korean Security Journal
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• no.20
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• pp.71-93
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of using spinal stabilization exercise for the improvement of atrophy of the multifidus and psoas major, of pain and disability with chronic low back pain in private guard and security. For 42 patients diagnosed with CLBP, and divided into spinal stabilization exercise group(SSEG) and general spinal strengthening exercise group(GSSEG). Each exercise was conducted for 10 weeks. Pain and disability were measured before and after exercise using the Visual analogue scale(VAS) and the Oswestry disability index(ODI). Cross section area(CSA) of both the left and right multifidus and the psoas major at the upper end plate of L4 were measured before and after exercise using computed tomography(CT). After 10 weeks of exercise, the both group's pain and lumbar disability were significantly decreased(p<0.01). Also there was significant difference in both group(p<0.05). In addition, the CSA of the left and right multifidus and posas major were significantly increased as compared to the pre-exercise in both group(p<0.01). But SSEG's cross sectional areas of multifidus was more significantly increase than GSSEG(p<0.05). In summary, Spinal stabilization exercise is more effective in improving atrophy in private guard and security patients, in reducing patients' pain and disability. It is an effective treatment to aid rehabilitation in these cases.