Effect of Core Stability Exercises at Home on Functional Ability and Chronic Low Back Pain (LBP) in Male Dentists

Abstract

Background: Lumbar Back Pain (LBP) as the most common musculoskeletal disorder in dentists has increased. Core stabilization exercises, as a new exercise method, can affect individual’s abdominal and lumbar muscles. Given the deleterious effects of LBP on the performance of dentists. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the effect of core stabilization exercises at home on functional ability and chronic LBP in male dentists. Methods: The population of the present quasi-experimental study included all male dentists in Kermanshah. Forty volunteered dentists with LBP were divided to experimental and control groups. Research tools included Quebec Back Pain Questionnaire for measuring LBP and Oswestry Disability Questionnaire for measuring the degree of disability in daily living activities. The exercise program was designed for the experimental group as three sessions per week for six weeks. Data were analyzed with paired and independent t-tests and the normality of the data was verified with Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Results: Spine stabilization exercises have a significant effect on functional ability (P = 0.02) and level of pain in male dentists of Kermanshah (P = 0.04). Conclusions: This intervention is safe, easy, accessible and effective without any side effects.