Evaluation of Specific Spinal Segmental Stabilizing Exercises in the Treatment of Antenatal Low Back Pain

Aims: To investigate the effect of specific lumbar stabilizing exercises on relieving antenatal low back pain. Study design: A randomized clinical controlled trial. Place and Duration of study: Department of Obstetrics (antenatal clinic), Kafelsheikh general hospital Kafelsheikh, between October 2014 and January 2015. Methodology: Twenty pregnant women (age 20-25 years) at 20-24 weeks gestation, clinically diagnosed with low back pain and divided into 2 equal groups (A&B). Patients in group A were treated by lumbar stabilizing exercises for 12 weeks, patients in group B without any treatment. Low back pain intensity and spine flexibility were measured by mean of a 100-mm horizontal visual analogue scale and side bending test before and after the treatment program. Results: Patients in group A showed significant decrease in low back pain intensity (P=0.01) and spine flexibility (P=0.01), while in group B there were significant increase in low back pain intensity (P=0.01) without difference in spine flexibility (Right and Left sides) (P=0.83 and 0.6) at the end of the study. There were no significant differences in low back pain intensity (P=0.82) and spine flexibility (Right and Left sides) (P=0.76 and 0.69) at the beginning of the study. But there were highly significant differences in low back pain intensity (P=0.001) and spine flexibility (Right and Left sides)(P=0.01) at the end of the study between both groups, Conclusion: lumbar stabilizing exercises decrease the pain intensity and increase the lumbar range of motion.