A comparison between the use of core stability and breathing exercises on chronic low back pain sufferers. A structured literature review.
Item
- Title
- A comparison between the use of core stability and breathing exercises on chronic low back pain sufferers. A structured literature review.
- Author(s)
- Mameli, M
- Abstract
- Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a considerable social and economic issue and chronic low back pain has been recognized as a recurring human disease. Although its aetiology is still not completely understood, it has been associated with reduced core stability and respiratory dysfunction. Exercises that strengthen the core and breathing exercises have both been shown to decrease pain levels in chronic low back pain sufferers, however there is currently no research comparing the two approaches and this gap in the literature has been explored in this review. Objective: To compare and critically appraise the literature regarding the validity of core stability versus breathing exercises in the management and treatment of patients with chronic low back pain. Design: Structured literature review. Methods: Four databases were reviewed for pertinent research published between 2005 and 2019 applying Boolean logic. In order to address the research question, the results of the search were filtered in accordance to the inclusion/exclusion criteria, removing any duplicates or non-relevant studies. Selected studies were assessed for methodological quality using the JADAD scale. Key characteristics of the trials were extracted including study design, information about the subjects, type and duration of interventions, outcome measures considered and relevant results. Results: The database search returned 5223 studies, from which a total of 22 which met the inclusion criteria and were selected for review. Twelve of the 22 studies were of high quality. All of the 22 studies reported statistically significant improvements on pain intensity levels in the short-term when compared to baseline. Twelve out of 22 studies found a statistically significant difference when compared to the control group, with 11 favouring core stability and 1 favouring breathing exercises. Discussion: Patients’ pain symptoms, overall, decreased over the course of the interventions. However, the absence of long-term follow-up assessments and the high level of heterogeneity amongst key elements of the studies, alongside other methodological restrictions limited the validity of the outcomes of the trials. Conclusion: The present study highlighted the limitations of existing literature promoting the efficacy of core stability and breath therapy in the management of chronic low back pain. Despite clear evidence showed that both therapies have an effect in decreasing pain levels, their long-term efficacy remains uncertain; while findings in regard to which of the two approaches is most effective for chronic LBP sufferers remain inconclusive. Therefore, when considering the management of patients, health care professionals should take into account these limitations.
- presented at
- European School of Osteopathy
- Date Accepted
- 2020
- Date Submitted
- 28.10.2020 18:08:19
- Type
- osteo_thesis
- Language
- English
- Submitted by:
- 62
- Pub-Identifier
- 16675
- Inst-Identifier
- 1229
- Keywords
- Core stability; Breathing exercises; Chronic low back pain; Structured literature review
- Recommended
- 0
- Item sets
- Thesis
Mameli, M, “A comparison between the use of core stability and breathing exercises on chronic low back pain sufferers. A structured literature review.”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed April 29, 2024, https://www.osteopathic-research.com/s/orw/item/180