A Comparative Study on the Effects of the Whole-Body Vibration Training and Balance Exercise Program on the Muscle Geometry in the Patients With Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain: A Randomized Control Trial.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of trunk balance exercise and whole-body vibration (WBV) training on the muscle dimensions of patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain (cNLBP).

METHODS

Fifty patients with cNLBP were randomly assigned to either the trunk balance (n = 25) or the WBV (n = 25) group. Both groups performed the training exercises 3 times a week for 6 weeks. The geometry of bilateral abdominal and lumbar multifidus muscles was measured before and after the interventions using diagnostic ultrasound.

RESULTS

Both interventions increased the dimensions of the abdominal and multifidus muscles during rest and contraction (P ≤ .001). There was no significant difference between the groups (P ≥ .08). Cohen's d, the between-group effect size, was ≤0.68.

CONCLUSION

In a 6-week period, WBV training was as effective as trunk balance exercises at improving the muscle geometry in patients with cNLBP.