Effect of core stability exercises and Russian Electrical Stimulation on non-specific low back pain: randomized controlled trial

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a major public health concern resulting from aging and the growth of the global population. and is one of the primary causes of disability in our society. Purpose: This study aimed to distinguish the efficacy of integrating core stability exercises (CSEs) with Russian current (RC) exercises on pain, quality of life, the muscle thickness of the lumbar multifidus (LM) muscle, the transversus abdominis (TrA) muscle and lumbar spine stability in patients with nonspecific low back pain (NSLBP) Methods: Fifty patients with NSLBP were randomly assigned to two groups: group 1 (the study group, n = 25) received CSE and RC three times a week for six weeks, whereas group 2 (the control group, n = 25) received CSE only. Pain was evaluated via the visual analog scale (VAS), functional disability was evaluated via the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), TrA and LM thickness were evaluated via ultrasonography, and the stability score of the lumbar spine was determined via a spinal mouse device. Results: There was a significant decrease in the VAS score and ODI and an increase in the stability score, TrA, and LM thickness, especially in group 1. Conclusion: RC accompanied by CSE provides greater improvement than CSE alone in the treatment of LBP, increases functional ability, increases TrA and LM thickness, and improves the stability of the lumbar spine. Trial Registration: The study was registered on clinicaltrials.gov (NCT06495099) on 02/07/2024.