Comparison of the effects of eight-week functional restoration exercise program and lumbosacral orthosis on proprioception and quality of life in male employees with nonspecific chronic low back pain

Sahebozamani  M; Khazaei  R

doi:10.18502/tkj.v17i3.20028

Sahebozamani M Professor, Departmen of Sports Injuries and biomechanics, Faculty of Physical Education & Sport Sciences, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman
Khazaei R PhD of corrective exercise and sport injuries, Departmen of Sports Injuries and biomechanics, Faculty of Physical Education & Sport Sciences, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/tkj.v17i3.20028

Keywords: Functional restoration exercises, Lumbosacral orthosis, Proprioception, Quality of life, Non-specific Chronic low back pains

Abstract

Introduction: Nonspecific chronic low back pain ranks among the most prevalent musculoskeletal disorders worldwide, exerting a considerable impact on productivity and quality of life, particularly in occupational settings. The present study aimed to compare the effects of an eight-week functional restoration exercise program and lumbosacral orthosis on proprioception and quality of life in male employees with nonspecific chronic low back pain.

Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study included 45 male employees suffering from nonspecific chronic low back pain, who were randomly divided into two experimental groups and one control group through simple randomization. The mean (±SD) age of the participants in the control, functional restoration, and lumbosacral orthosis groups was 36.2 ± 3.64, 37.3 ± 3.61, and 37.8 ± 3.42 years, respectively; their mean weight was 89.26 ± 9.26, 87.93 ± 9.36, and 92.26 ± 8.77 kg, respectively. Proprioception (measured using a goniometer) and quality of life (assessed by the SF-36 questionnaire) were evaluated before and after the eight-week intervention. The participants in the exercise group performed functional restoration training for eight weeks, attending three sessions per week. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. Within-group changes were assessed using paired t-tests, while between-group differences were examined using one-way ANCOVA at a significance level of p ≤ 0.05.

Results: The findings demonstrated significant effects of both functional restoration training and lumbosacral orthosis on proprioception (p = 0.001) and quality of life (p = 0.001). Improvements, however, were more significant in the functional restoration group than in the lumbosacral orthosis group (p = 0.001), indicating the superior effectiveness of exercise-based intervention.

Conclusion: Both functional restoration exercises and lumbosacral orthosis improved proprioception and quality of life in male employees with nonspecific chronic low back pain. Nevertheless, functional restoration training proved more effective. Consequently, these exercise protocols may serve as a beneficial rehabilitation approach for men suffering from nonspecific chronic low back pain.