Effectiveness of trunk proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation training in mechanical low back pain

Background: Mechanical low back pain accounts for 80-90 % of the low back pains. Interventions in the management of low back pain shows conflicting results. PNF training is one of the interventions that is less investigated in the management of LBP. Objectives: The main objective is to compare the effectiveness of combination of trunk Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation training and conventional strengthening exercises with conventional strengthening exercises alone in the management of mechanical low back pain. Methods: A total of 40 male patients with mechanical low back pain who meets the inclusion and exclusion criteria are recruited for the study. 20 were allotted to Experimental group who received Trunk proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation training along with conventional strengthening exercises and another 20 was allotted to Control group who received Conventional strengthening exercises alone. Outcome measures were Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Modified Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire and Trans versus Abdominis Activation Capacity. Data was collected twice for the study; pre treatment and post treatment after 3 weeks. Results: At baseline, the two groups did not differ significantly with respect to age and outcome measures. Comparing the differences between experimental group and group after 3 weeks, the t value for VAS, Modified Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire and Trans versus Abdominis Activation Capacity were 4.231 (p<0.05), 4.003 (p<0.05 ) and .477 (p>0.05) respectively. Conclusions: The findings suggest that trunk neuromuscular facilitation training along with conventional strengthening exercises in subjects with mechanical low back pain induces a greater improvement on pain and functional disability as compared to conventional strengthening exercises alone