An Efficacy Study of Exercise Rehabilitation on Pain and Disability for Patients With Non-specific Low Back Pain

The Effect of Hip Stabilizer Muscle Strengthening on Pain and Disability for Patients With Non-specific Low Back Pain: an Outcome-based Randomized Controlled Trial

The primary objective of this study is to compare the efficacy of two different exercise programs for the reduction of pain and disability in a specific subgroup of NSLBP patients and aims to investigate the additive effect of hip stabilization exercises. The investigators hypothesize that the combined local (segmental) stabilizer and hip stabilizer program (T2) will be more effective in reducing pain and disability in NSLBP patients compared to the local (segmental) stabilizer program (T1).

The secondary objective of this study is to measure the changes in lumbopelvic and hip mechanics for both treatment groups following completion of the exercise programs. We hypothesize that there will be differences observed between groups following the 6wk rehabilitation programs, and that only the group completing the combined local (segmental) stabilizer and hip stabilizer strengthening program (T2) will demonstrate significant differences in mechanics compared to baseline testing.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18-65 years old
• Unilateral or bilateral NSLBP symptoms for a minimum of 6 weeks
• Current symptoms rated at least a 5/10 on a scaled from 0-10

Exclusion Criteria:

• Symptoms 'red flags' for underlying pathological conditions such as bowel and/or bladder problems, radicular symptoms, night pain
• Scoliosis
• Neurological impairment, discogenic pathology, vestibular disorder
• Pregnancy or within 1 year of giving birth
• Previous or ongoing complications from lower extremity injury or surgery in the past year
• Previous surgery to the lumbar spine or hip
• Use of any radiological interventions or injections such as prolotherapy, corticosteroid, or nerve block in the past 3 months