Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Physical Therapy for Gynecology and Obstetrics

This study was conducted to compare the effect of ball stability exercises versus foam roller exercises on low back pain during pregnancy. Forty pregnant women in second trimester of pregnancy complaining of low back pain participated in this study. They were selected randomly from Physical Therapy department in Al Zahraa University Hospital in Cairo, Al Azhar University. The study was conducted from January 2019 to June 2019. Their ages were ranged from 20 to 35 years old and their body mass index was ranged from 28 to 34 kg/ m2. They were primigravida and multigravida. Women with infectious diseases and inflammation, risk pregnancy, hemorrhagic diseases, musculoskeletal disorders as disc prolapse, spondylosis, lumbar canal stenosis and spondylolisthesis, history of medication affect back pain or pelvic pain, history of back trauma and history of surgery in the back region or the lower extremities were excluded from the study. They were divided into two groups equal in number, group A treated by ball stability exercises for twelve sessions, three times per week for four weeks and group B treated by foam roller exercises for twelve sessions, three times per week for four weeks. Visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to measure pain intensity and Pregnancy mobility index was used to assess functional disability for both groups A and B before and after treatment. Results of this study found that, there was a statistically highly significant decrease (P<0.01) in low back pain intensity and functional disability in both groups A and B post treatment. Between groups the obtained results showed that there was no statistical significant difference pre treatment, but post treatment there was a statistically highly significant difference in low back pain intensity and functional disability (more decrease in group B). Accordingly, it can be concluded that foam roller exercises is more effective in reducing low back pain intensity and functional disability than ball stability exercises

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