Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Musculoskeletal Disorders

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of selected Pilates exercises on patient with chronic mechanical low back pain Thirty patients both males and females with chromic mechanical low back pain were randomly selected and divided into two equal groups The selected exercises were conducted three times a week for 4 weeks for a total of 12 session, in both groups a hot pack followed by deep heat by ultrasonic for 10 minutes on paraspinal muscles in lumbar area then one group performed a back stretch, abdominal strength exercise in form of active movement of knee to chest exercise then back muscles strengthening by active bridging exercise, the other group performed six selected Pilates exercise, all patients in both groups were assessed before and after treatment by using Oswestery functional scale and flexion / extension endurance test. Result showed that Pilates exercises just show significant difference in the following aspects (functional scale when compared pre-and post treatment and also show improvement in the values of the ratio between right bending and extension when comparing pre-and post treatment) other values show no significant difference when compared pre-and post-treatment, it can be expected from results that we needed longer treatment time or another assessment methods

Issued also as CD