The Effect of Autogenous Fascia Relaxation and Spinal Mobility Exercise on Pain and Range of Motion in Elderly Female Patients with Chronic Back Pain

Background. This study was to investigate the effects of self-fascial relaxation, stretching, and spinal mobility exercises using foam rollers and elastic bands on elderly women's back pain, pain disability index, and spinal joint mobility. Methods. This study was performed elderly women (65-75years) who had no surgical experience within one year, had more than one clinical result due to back pain, and maintained pain for more than 6 months. The subjects who participated in the study were divided into groups, group a exercising with foam rollers and elastic bands, group B exercising without foam rollers and elastic bands, and a control. To see the effects of pain-related exercise, we assessed the subjects with the visual analog scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), spinal flexion, and the range of spinal left and right joint rotation movement. Results. the decrease in VAS (F = 9.976, p = .001,η2 = .487) and ODI(F = 4.978, p = .017,η2 = .322) was observed in all groups participating in the experiment, and the value of experimental group A using foam roller and elastic band decreased the most. As can be seen from the results of Experimental Group A, where the bending and stiffness of the spine were statistically significantly increased. Conclusion. According to the significant result of A the use of elastic bands and foam rollers is considered to be effective in improving chronic back pain and mobility of the spine.