Effect of Lumbar Stabilization Exercises on Stable versus Unstable Surface on Pain and Function in Mechanical Low Back Pain-an Evidence Based Study

Background: Low back pain is the most common complaint all over the world. Lumbar instability is an important causative factor for low back pain. Lumbar stabilization exercises are helpful in reducing and preventing its recurrence. Purpose: To study the evidences regarding effect of lumbar stabilization exercises on stable versus unstable surface on pain and function in mechanical low back pain. Methodology: The study was conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis guidelines. Evidences selected since year 2010-February 2020 from PubMed, Google Scholar, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), Research Gate, Science Direct and Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature. Key words used were: Lumbar stabilization exercise, Core stability exercise, Pain and Function. Analysis was done using 2 scales: PEDro scale and Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine Levels of Evidence Scale. Total 202 articles were found, out of which 22 articles were relevant and from those 17 articles were included in the study and other articles were excluded as per eligibility criteria. Results: 11 studies were shown that core stability exercise is effective treatment for reducing pain and improving disability. (Level of evidence-1a,1b,2b). 2 studies were showed that motor control exercise was more effective than core stability exercise. (Level of evidence-1b). 4 studies shown that lumbar stabilization exercise performed on unstable surfaces showed significant improvement in back pain and disability (Level of evidence-1b, 2b). Conclusion: Lumbar stabilization exercise performed on unstable surface provide significant benefit in reducing pain and improving function in patients with mechanical low back pain. Keywords: Lumbar stabilization exercise, Core stability exercise, Pain and Function Low Back Pain.