Investigate and compare the effects of two types of proprioceptive exercises and combination of proprioceptive exercises and mental imagery on pain, functional disability and lumbar proprioception in women with non-specific chronic low back pain

The purpose of the present study was to investigate and compare the effects of two types of proprioceptive exercises and combination of proprioceptive exercises and mental imagery on pain, functional disability and lumbar proprioception in women with non-specific chronic low back pain. Subjects voluntarily participated in this study and were randomly divided into three groups of proprioceptive exercises and combination of proprioceptive exercises and mental imagery, and the control group. Two training groups performed their exercise protocol for 6 weeks. Pre-test and post-test of pain severity, functional disability and lumbar proprioception were assessed by visual analogue scale of pain (VAS), the Oswestry disability Index questionnaire and 30 degree lumbar flexion, respectively. The results showed that all three variables of pain intensity, functional disability and proprioception were significantly different in pre-test and post-test in comparing the exercise group, combination group and the control group. But the difference between the exercise group and combination group was not significant. According to the results of the present study, despite the slight differences in the averages, both exercise protocols had similar effects on pain relief and functional disability, and lumbar proprioception. It can be stated that mental imagery exercises affect the variables of pain and functional disability, and lumbar proprioception so as to active exercises do. Therefore, patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain are advised to use mental imaging exercises along with other therapeutic exercises to improve the disease.