ABSTRACT
Purpose
This study examined the effects of integrated Neurac vibration during side-lying bridge exercise using a sling system on pain, strength, and balance in patients with chronic low back pain (LBP). Subjects and Methods: A total of 30 patients were randomly assigned to experimental (EG; n = 15) or control groups (CG; n = 15). Both groups performed side-lying bridge exercise; however, the EG group also received Neurac vibration during exercise. Outcome measures included perceived pain level, asymmetry of weight distribution, asymmetry of hip abductor strength (AHAS), and static balance in one-leg standing. A 2 × 2 repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to determine main effects and interaction for each parameter. Results: Significant interaction effects were found between group and time factors for all parameters. Between-group comparisons revealed significant differences in observed changes for all parameters (P < 0.05). In within-group comparisons, EG showed significant changes in all parameters after intervention (P < 0.05); however, significant changes were only found for pain and AHAS in the CG (P < 0.05). Pain score showed greatest effect size (d = 0.77) among all parameters, indicating a moderate effect of intervention. Conclusion: The side-lying bridge exercise on a sling system may alleviate pain and improve strength and balance in patients with chronic LBP, with more favorable effects when Neurac vibration is integrated into the exercise plan.
Declaration of Interest
The authors declare no conflict of interest.