The Effectiveness of Four Stretching for Patients with Chronic Non-specific Low Back Pain

Consideration of Subgrouping by Directional Preference in the Initial Evaluation

Abstract

Purpose: By comparing the effects of four stretching with and without directional preference (DP) in the initial evaluation of patients suffering from chronic non-specific low back pain with a duration of more than 6 months, to consider whether DP of the initial evaluation becomes an indicator of subgrouping in this stretching.

Methods: We classified 41 cases with DP and 32 cases without DP in the initial evaluation. We instructed once a week intervention and 4-weeks of self-exercise.

Results: There were no items of difference between the groups. Both groups showed significant improvement before and after the intervention in all items of the VAS, chest lumbar part ROM, SF-36, JOABPEQ, and ODI.

Conclusion: In the case of performing this stretching on patients with chronic non-specific low back pain, since efficacy was recognized for all pain, physical functions and mental functions regardless of the presence of DP at the initial evaluation, under these conditions it was suggested that the presence or lack of DP may not impact the results of this stretching.