Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of stabilization exercises (SEs) combined with pelvic floor muscle (PFM) exercises versus SE alone on pain intensity, functional disability, and static and dynamic endurance of trunk muscles in women with nonspecific low back pain (LBP). METHODS: A total of 48 women with nonspecific LBP (26-45 years) participated in the study. They were randomly allocated into 2 groups. Group A received SEs combined with PFM exercises and physical therapy modalities, and group B received the same intervention without PFM exercises for 6 successive weeks (3 times/wk). Pain intensity, functional disability, and static and dynamic trunk muscle endurance were measured before and after treatment program. RESULTS: After treatment, both groups revealed significant improvements in pain intensity and functional disability scores (P ˂ .05), and significant increases in static and dynamic endurance of trunk flexor and extensor muscles (P ˂ .05). Moreover, there was higher significance in group A compared to group B regarding pain intensity, functional disability scores, and static and dynamic endurance of trunk muscles (P ˂ .05). CONCLUSION: In this study, the addition of PFM exercise to the SE and physical therapy modalities was more effective in reducing pain intensity, improving functional disability, and increasing the static and dynamic trunk muscle endurance in women with nonspecific LBP compared to SE alone.