Change of Pain, Lumbar Sagittal Alignment and Multifidus after Sling Exercise Therapy for Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain

Purpose: This study examined the effects of sling exercise therapy on vertebral alignment, VAS, muscle activity, and multifidus of patients with chronic low back pain.Methods: Simple random sampling was used to divide the patients (n=116) into the sling exercise therapy group (SETG) and conservative physical therapy group (CPTG), with each group provided a intervention program in 3 sessions a week for 12 weeks. The lumbar lordosis angle (LLA), lumbar intervertebral disc angle (LIVDA) for vertebral alignment, lumbar muscle activity, and multifidus atrophy were measured before and after the intervention.Results: SETG showed significant changes in LLA, LIVDA of rate of change (delta score), and in relieving pain. The right-left balance gap for the lumbar dynamic muscle activity decreased after the intervention. The SETG showed significant changes in the grade of lumbar multifidus atrophy.Conclusion: The sling exercise therapy program is an effective exercise therapy method on vertebral alignment, muscle activity, recovery from multifidus atrophy, and pain relief for patients with chronic low back pain.