Effects of Core Muscle Exercise on Pain Level and Quality of Life in People with Low Back Pain
Main Article Content
Abstract
Low back pain (LBP) is a common problem among older adults and has a significant impact on mobility and quality of life. Core muscle training combined with education and instructional materials can reduce pain and improve quality of life. This study aimed to investigate the effects of core muscle exercise on pain and quality of life in older adults with LBP. The study included 16 participants aged 60 years and older who met the inclusion criteria. All participants received physical therapy treatment and performed five core muscle exercises three times per week for eight consecutive weeks. Outcomes were assessed using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and the EQ-5D-5L on the first and last days of the program. Data were analyzed using a paired t-test. The results demonstrated that after the intervention, pain levels and quality of life were significantly different from baseline (p-value<0.001). Core muscle exercise is an effective approach for reducing low back pain and enhancing quality of life in older adults with LBP.
Article Details

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
References
Barr KP, Harrast MA. Low back pain. In: Braddom RL, editor. Physical medicine and rehabilitation. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: Saund-ers; 2007. p. 883–886.
McBeth J, Jones K. Epidemiology of chronic musculoskeletal pain. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2007;21(3):403–425.
Walker BF. The prevalence of low back pain: a systematic review of the literature from 1966 to 1998. J Spinal Disord. 2000;13 (3):205–217.
Lawrence RC, Helmick CG, Arnett FC, Deyo RA, Felson DT, Giannini EH, et al. Estimates of the prevalence of arthritis and selected musculoskeletal disorders in the United States. Arthritis Rheum. 1998;41(5):778–799.
Chaimay B, Khaonuan B, Songsiri P. Quality of life and daily activity ability among elderly people in Laem Tanot sub-district, Khuan Khanun district, Phatthalung provi-nce. J Public Health. 2012;42(1):55–65. Thai.
Chongatchariya T. Prevalence and risk factors of low back pain among hospital personnel. Srinagarind Med J. 2013;7(2): 16 5–173.
Nilkanuwong S. The role of rheumatologists in back pain. Bangkok: Rueankaew Printing; 2000.
Kandakurti PK, Arulsingh W, Patil SS. Influen-ce of kinesiophobia on pain intensity, disa- bility, muscle endurance, and position sen- se in patients with chronic low back pain. Trials. 2022;23:536.
National Statistical Office. The 2024 survey of the older persons in Thailand: provincial level. Bangkok: Ministry of Digital Economy and Society; 2024.
Jitaphankul S. Principles of geriatric medic-ine. Bangkok: Chulalongkorn University Pre- ss; 2001.
Nansupawat W. Geriatric nursing: challeng- es of an aging population. Khon Kaen: Khon Kaen Printing; 2008.
World Health Organization. WHO guideline for non-surgical management of chronic primary low back pain in adults in primary and community care settings. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2023.
Pensri P, Foster NE, Srisuk S, Baxter GD, McDonagh SM. Physiotherapy management of low back pain in Thailand: a study of practice. Physiother Res Int. 2005;10(4):201 –212.
Chalermsaen R, Phansuea P, Kaewkhum P. Effects of a core stability exercise program on patients with nonspecific subacute low back pain: a pilot study. J Nurs Sci Health. 2016;39(1):48–60.
Chaikhod T. The trend of alternative exercise: opportunities for researchers and older adults with chronic nonspecific low back pain. Christian Univ J. 2014;20(2).
Sany SA, Shahriar MI, Nyme Z, Tanjim T. Effectiveness of strengthening exercise plus activities of daily living instructions in reducing pain in patients with lumbar disc herniation: a randomized controlled trial. F1000Res. 2021;10:1163.
Rosner B. Fundamentals of biostatistics. 8th ed. Boston: Cengage Learning; 2016.
Aziato L, Dedey F, Marfo K. Validation of three pain scales among adult postope-rative patients in Ghana. Int J Nurs Sci. 2015;2(3):221–228.
Euasobhon P. Reliability and responsivity of pain intensity scales in individuals with chronic pain. Pain. 2022;163(12):E1184 E11 91. doi:10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002692.
Janssen MF, Pickard AS, Golicki D, Gudex C, Niewada M, Scalone L, et al. Measurement properties of the EQ-5D-5L compared to the EQ-5D-3L across eight patient groups: a multi-country study. Qual Life Res. 2013; 22(7):1717–1727.
Thaworncharoensup M. Measuring utility. In: Chaikledkaew U, Teerawattananon Y, edit- ors. Handbook for health technology and policy assessment in Thailand. 2nd ed. Nonthaburi: Watcharin P.P. Publishing; 2014. p. 74–85.
Pattanaphesaj J. Health-related quality of life measure (EQ-5D-5L): measurement pro- perty testing and its preference-based score in Thai population [dissertation]. Nakhon Pathom: Mahidol University; 2014.
EuroQol Research Foundation. EQ-5D-5L user guide. Rotterdam: EuroQol Research Foundation; 2019.
Kennedy-Martin M, Slaap B, Herdman M, van Reenen M, Kennedy-Martin T, Greiner W, et al. Which multi-attribute utility instru- ments are recommended for use in cost-utility analysis? A review of national health technology assessment (HTA) guidelines. Eur J Health Econ. 2020;21(8) :1245–1257.
Ahn SE, Lee MY, Lee BH. Effects of gluteal muscle strengthening exercise-based core stabilization training on pain and quality of life in patients with chronic low back pain. Medicina (Kaunas). 2024;60(6):849.