The Effectiveness of Group-Based Core Stability Exercise and Educational Booklet for Hospital Workers in Taiwan with Nonspecific Low Back Pain: A Preliminary Study

Ching-Yueh Lin, Yung-Hsuan Liu, Shu-Mei Chen, Su-Chun Cheng and Mei-Fang Liu
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Ching-Yueh Lin: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Kaohsiung Armed Forces General Hospital, Kaohsiung 802301, Taiwan
Yung-Hsuan Liu: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Kaohsiung Armed Forces General Hospital, Kaohsiung 802301, Taiwan
Shu-Mei Chen: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Science, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807378, Taiwan
Su-Chun Cheng: Department of Physical Therapy, School of Medical and Health Science, Fooyin University, Kaohsiung 831301, Taiwan
Mei-Fang Liu: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Science, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807378, Taiwan

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 6, 1-10

Abstract: To investigate the effectiveness of health promotion strategies for nonspecific low back pain in hospital workers, we compared the therapeutic effects of group-based core stability exercises and an educational booklet. Subjects participated in a 60-min core stability exercise on a weekly basis for 8 weeks ( N = 24) or consulted an educational booklet for advice ( N = 22). The numerical rating scale (NRS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and the brief version of the World Health Organization’s Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) were used as outcome measures. The ODI, as well as the total score and domains of overall, physical, and psychological health in the WHOQOL-BREF were significantly improved in the exercise group ( p < 0.05). The NRS score significantly improved in the booklet group ( p < 0.05). The total score, psychological domain, and environmental domain of the WHOQOL-BREF improved significantly in the exercise group compared with the booklet group ( p < 0.05). Group-based core stability exercises and educational booklets are helpful to hospital workers in different ways for nonspecific low back pain. In contrast to the pain reduction by the educational booklet, more active participation in group-based core stability exercise can provide a better outcome in the overall quality of life, especially in the psychological and environmental domains of hospital workers.

Keywords: disability; early management; exercise therapy; low back pain; occupational health; pain; quality of life; workplace (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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