Comparative effects of stretching exercises and core stability exercises in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain: A review of randomized clinical trial

Exercise is known to be beneficial in the management of chronic low back pain (LBP), especially in pain reduction and improving function. Core stability exercise (CSE) is fast becoming the foremost exercise in the management of LBP; however, it is presently undetermined whether CSEs produces more valuable effects than stretching exercises in the management of LBP. The study aimed to review the effectiveness of CSEs or stretching exercises in the management of chronic LBP. A systematic review of randomized clinical trials was done using published articles. Multiple databases and specific journal websites were searched to obtained original researches published between 2000 and 2021 in which pain and disability were evaluated as outcomes. Methodological quality was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale and none of the included studies had scores of <9/10. Three studies met the criteria for this review. The included studies randomized participants into two different exercise groups. One out of the three studies showed benefits of CSE over stretching exercises for pain and disability. Another study showed ST exercise is more beneficial to CSE for pain and disability while the last study shows both CSE and ST exercises to be effective in pain and disability management. In conclusion compared to ST exercise, CSE is not more effective in pain reduction and improved physical function in individuals with LBP in the short term. However, no follow-up assessments were done postintervention.