Effectiveness of back isometrics on pain, disability and flexibility among young adults with low back pain

Abstract

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is main cause of reduced flexibility and functional limitations in young adults. Back isometrics, focusing on core stability, are emerging as a promising intervention. However, evidence on their impact on pain, disability and flexibility in this population is limited. Objective: This study evaluated the effects of back isometrics on pain, disability and flexibility among young adults with low back pain. Methodology: 30 subjects, both male and female with low back pain of 18-25 years were selected for the study and randomly divided into 2 groups with minimum of 15 subjects in each group. The control group was treated with moist hot pack and interferential therapy and the experimental group was treated with back isometrics in addition to moist hot pack and interferential therapy for 2 weeks, 4 days per week. Outcome measures were Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) for pain, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) Questionnaire for disability and Modified-Modified Schober’s Test (MMST) for flexibility. The baseline data was recorded on first day (pre-intervention) and on last day of second week (post-intervention). Results: Post-intervention analysis revealed significant improvements within both the back isometrics and control groups (p