The effects of core stability training in nurses with nonspecific low back pain

To investigate the effect of core stability training on nonspecific low back pain (NSLBP) in nurses. The data were collected retrospectively by reviewing the patient's medical records and pain questionnaires in our rehabilitation center. A total of 40 nurses with NSLBP were included and divided into observation group and control group. Each group were given routine health education for NSLBP. Core stability training was performed in observation group for 4 weeks. Surface electromyography (sEMG) evaluation of erector spine and multifidus muscle, pain Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores were evaluated and analyzed before and 4 weeks after intervention. There was no significant difference of NRS score and JOA score between two groups before intervention (P > .05, respectively). The NRS and JOA scores were significantly improved in both two groups after 4 weeks of intervention (P < .05, respectively). Moreover, the improvement of NRS and JOA scores in the observation group were better than those of the control group (P < .05, respectively). No significant difference of average electromyography (AEMG) or median frequency (MF) were noted between the healthy side and the affected side in both groups before or after intervention (P > .05, respectively). After 4 weeks of intervention, the AEMG of the healthy and the affected side of the two groups showed an improved trend without significant difference (P > .05, respectively). The MF of affected side was significantly higher 4 weeks after intervention than those before treatment in the observation and control group (P < .05, respectively). Core stability training can alleviate pain, improve the fatigue resistance of the core muscles and the balance of the functions of bilateral multifidus muscles in nurses with NSLBP.