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

Purpose: The present study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of stabilization exercises in treatment of patients with spinal instability or spondylolysis or spondylolythesis. Subjects and Methods: Thirty patients with spinal instability or spondylolysis or spondylolythesis from both sexes, their age ranged between 30 and 45 years with body mass index (BMI) less than 30 kg/ m2 were selected from orthopedic physical therapy outpatient clinic of El- kasr Al-Eini Hospital and physical therapy clinic in faculty of physical therapy, Cairo University. They were divided randomly in to two equal groups; Group (A) (control group) and Group (B) (Study group). Group (A) received physical therapy program include: manual therapy (thoracic mobilization for hypomobility region), strengthening exercises for trunk muscles and stretching exercises for back, hamstring and iliosoas muscles while group (B) received the same physical therapy program as group (A) in addition to lumber core stabilization exercise. Both groups received treatment program 3 times/ week for five weeks. The variables in this study involved visual analog scale (VAS), oswestry disability index (ODI), back flexion and extension that were assessed before treatment (pre-treatment) and after five weeks of treatment application (post) for each patient in both groups; (A and B). Results: The results revealed significant difference of all measured variables in two groups after five successive weeks, also revealed significant difference between the two groups after treatment in favor of the group (B). Conclusion: Physical therapy program include: manual therapy (thoracic mobilization for hypomobility region), strengthening exercises for trunk muscles and stretching exercises for back, hamstring and iliopsoas muscles in addition to lumber core stabilization exercise can be added to the physical therapy program for patients with spinal instability or spondylolysis or spondylolythesis

Issued also as CD