ORIGINAL PAPER
Effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation techniques in treating chronic nonspecific low back pain patients
 
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1
Department of Basic Science for Physical Therapy, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
 
2
Department of Physical Therapy, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
 
3
Department of Physical Therapy for Musculoskeletal Disorders and Its Surgery, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
 
 
Submission date: 2020-02-19
 
 
Acceptance date: 2020-04-19
 
 
Publication date: 2021-06-21
 
 
Physiother Quart. 2021;29(2):32-37
 
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
As one of the highly prevalent musculoskeletal disorders, low back pain incurs high medical care costs. Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation has been used in treating chronic low back pain. This study aimed to investigate the effects of multiple proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation techniques on endurance of the trunk musculature, spinal mobility, and impairment of function in cases of chronic low back pain.

Methods:
Patients in this study were randomly assigned into 3 groups. Group A received rhythmic stabilization training, group B received a combination of isotonic exercises, while group C received a combination of both rhythmic stabilization training and combination of isotonic exercises. Trunk endurance was evaluated with trunk flexion and trunk extension endurance tests, spinal mobility was assessed with a modified Schober test, and functional impairment was measured with Oswestry Disability Index.

Results:
ANOVA showed significant differences (p < 0.05) among the groups after treatment in the measured outcomes. Tukey’s honest significant difference post-hoc test revealed a highly statistically significant improvement in the measured outcomes of group C in comparison with the other groups in the post-intervention conditions.

Conclusions:
The application of the rhythmic stabilization training technique of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation followed by a combination of isotonic exercises was more effective than implementing either technique alone in the treatment of patients with chronic low back pain.

 
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