Sling exercise therapy effect on the functional condition of complainants experiencing low back pain

The subject of the research: the change in the functional condition of patients experiencing low back pain before and after the physiotherapy which is based on the sling exercise therapy. The purpose of the research: to assess in a combined way the functional state of patients experiencing low back pain before and after the physiotherapy which is based on the sling exercise therapy. Research tasks: 1. To assess the pain intensity before and after the physiotherapy which is based on the sling exercise therapy. 2. To assess the functional disability of patients (according to the Oswestry Disability Questionnaire) before and after the physiotherapy which is based on the sling exercise therapy. 3. To assess the active range of motion of the lumbar spine before and after the physiotherapy which is based on the sling exercise therapy. 4. To assess the electromyographic activity of the paravertebral muscles before and after the physiotherapy which is based on the sling exercise therapy. The research was carried out at the health care institution ‘The Centre of Physiotherapy’, Ltd. from 20 September 2010 to 11 November 2011. 64 patients experiencing low back pain participated in the research. They were involved in application of a 10- procedure course based on the method of the sling exercise therapy. The participants were assessed before and after the course of the physiotherapeutic procedures. Research methods: the assessment of pain intensity, the assessment of functional disability applying the Oswestry Disability Questionnaire, the assessment of the active range of motion of the lumbar spine, the surface electromyography of paravertebral muscles. Conclusions: 1. After 10 procedures of the physiotherapy which is based on the sling exercise therapy there was a statistically significant decrease in the pain intensity (p0.05)