Effect of spinal decompression therapy and core stabilization exercises in management of lumbar disc prolapse: A single blind randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Spinal decompression therapy (SDT) has recently been used as a conservative treatment for lumbar disc prolapse (LDP). The effectiveness of SDT when compared with other conservative techniques with a well-designed randomized controlled trials is lacking. OBJECTIVE: To find the efficacy of SDT and core stabilization exercises (CSE) on pain and functional disability in individuals with chronic LDP, and to compare with CSE alone. METHODS: This single blind randomized controlled trial included thirty-one participants with a mean age of 38.68 ± 8.79 having chronic LDP with or without radiating symptoms were included in the study. The study group received SDT with CSE and control group received CSE alone along with interferential therapy for both groups. Pain and disability were estimated by Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and Modified Oswestry Questionnaire (mOQ). RESULTS: The results demonstrated significant within-group improvements in all outcomes in both groups, the mean differences between pre to post intervention in SDT with CSE group were (NRS: 4.75, t= 12.81, p⩽ 0.001) and (mOQ: 45.13, t= 29.34, p⩽ 0.001), while in CSE group (NRS: 2.60, t= 13.67, p⩽ 0.001) and (mOQ: 27.67, t= 24.52, p⩽ 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A combination of SDT with CSE has proven to be more significant when compared with CSE alone to reduce pain and disability in subjects with chronic LDP.