Effect of exercise on pain, lumbar lordosis angle and movement control in participants with non-specific chronic low back pain: a narrative review

Non-specific chronic low back pain (LBP) is the most common problem of spinal column disorder and musculoskeletal problems. Many evidence has demonstrated that exercise and corrective exercise is a positive intervention on decrease pain; but according to the relationship between increased lumbar lordosis angle and low back pain; it seems to be very important to implement the study about pain changes and lumbar lordosis angle. Furthermore, movement control impairment is one of the most problem related with low back pain. The aim of current systematic review was to evaluate the effect of exercise on pain, lumbar lordosis angle and movement control in participants with non-specific chronic low back pain.

A data base search within the all of times was performed, using Google Scholar, PubMed, The PEDro, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Trip Database and Web of Science systems. Studies investigating the effect of types of exercise in pain, lumbar lordosis angle and movement control in patient with LBP were included. PEDro quality scale was used for the assessment of included studies.

Eleven out of 128 relevant articles had our search entrance criterions, which were chosen for this review (score higher than 5 on the PEDro scale). There was a large difference between various studies base on their methodology, outcome measures, simple size, procedure, etc. However, results from studies have verified that exercise causes decrease pain, decrease lumbar lordosis angle and increase movement control in patient with LBP; and exercise effective on decrease pain in pregnant women, but was not effect on lumbar lordosis angle in pregnant women. Also studies that shown decreased lumbar lordosis angle after exercises, was more effectively on more decreased LBP in patient.

It is likely that exercise decrease pain, lumbar lordosis angle and increase movement control in patient with low back pain; also exercise can decrease LBP in pregnant women, especially in the last months of pregnancy.