Comparison of two aquatic exercise therapy protocols on disability and pain in the middle- aged men with chronic low back pain

Aims and the aim of this investigate was to compare two aquatic exercise therapy protocol on pain and disability in the middle – aged men with chronic low back pain. in this semi – experimental study، 36 middle-aged men who suffer from chronic back herniated disc are chosen and divided into 3 equal groups: experimental group1 (walking in water; n=12)، experimental group2 (laying backward on the water; n=12) and control group (n=12). Experimental groups did the aquatic exercise therapy program that included of 24 sessions in 6 weeks and 4 sessions per week for 45-60 minutes. The mean score of pain and disability of these individuals respectively registered by VAS index and questionnaire of “oswestry disability” before and after the intervention were measured. Data were analyzed by paired- samples t-test and one-way analysis of variance at a significant level of P<0. 05. The results showed after 6 weeks of aquatic exercise therapy the amount of pain and disability significantly changed in both experimental groups (P<0. 001). The results of this investigate showed aquatic exercise therapy by patients who suffer from chronic sciatic low back pain، could decrease pain and disability in them and we could prescribe this protocol as a useful method for these patients.