A Randomized Controlled Trial of Core Strengthening Exercises in Helicopter Crewmembers with Low Back Pain

The purpose of this study was to determine if five core strengthening exercises would decrease pain severity and related disability in U.S. Air Force helicopter aircrew members with low back pain. The study was a randomized control group repeated measures design. The experimental manipulation consis...

Full description

Saved in:

Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Aerospace medicine and human performance Vol. 86; no. 10; p. 889
Main Authors:	Brandt, Yvonne, Currier, Linda, Plante, Timothy W, Schubert Kabban, Christine M, Tvaryanas, Anthony P
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	United States 01-10-2015
Subjects:	Adult Aerospace Medicine Aircraft Exercise Therapy Humans Low Back Pain - physiopathology Low Back Pain - therapy Male Middle Aged Military Personnel
Online Access:	Get more information
Tags:	Add Tag No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!

Description
Summary:	The purpose of this study was to determine if five core strengthening exercises would decrease pain severity and related disability in U.S. Air Force helicopter aircrew members with low back pain. The study was a randomized control group repeated measures design. The experimental manipulation consisted of a set of five core strengthening exercises performed 4 d/wk for 12 wk. Self-reported pain severity and disability were ascertained at baseline and 12 wk using the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and Modified Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Index (MODI), respectively. The NPRS was used to ascertain both daily pain (NPRS(daily)) and in-flight pain (NPRS(flight)). Self-reported improvement or deterioration in low back pain was measured using the Global Rating of Change Scale (GRCS). There were 12 subjects enrolled and 5 were randomized to the intervention group. The mean NPRS(flight) score decreased 1.8 points vs. increasing 0.1 points during the trial for the intervention and control groups, respectively. The mean MODI score decreased 4.8 points vs. increasing 1.7 points during the trial for the intervention and control groups, respectively. The mean GRCS score at the end of the trial was 4.0 vs. 0 for the intervention and control groups, respectively. There was no difference between groups in terms of mean NPRS(daily) scores. Core strengthening exercises were effective in reducing in-flight pain and led to a reduction in pain symptoms and disability over the 12-wk study period as compared to those subjects who maintained their regular exercise regimen.
ISSN:	2375-6314
DOI:	10.3357/AMHP.4245.2015