Page 67 - Petelin, Ana. 2024. Ed. Zdravje delovno aktivnih in starejših odraslih | Health of the Working-Age and Older Adults. Zbornik prispevkov z recenzijo | Proceedings. Koper: University of Primorska Press

https://doi.org/10.26493/978-961-293-397-5.67-76

The Effect of Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercises

on Chronic Low Back Pain

Urša Horvat, Manca Salmič, Denisa Manojlović Ivezić
University of Primorska, Faculty of Health Sciences, Izola, Slovenia

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic low back pain represents a major problem for
the global population, as it adversely affects individuals` overall well-
being, diminishes work productivity and leads to high treatment costs.
Non-pharmacological treatment, including physiotherapy, is a key
method for managing this type of pain condition. One of the less studied
physiotherapy methods that potentially contributes to the management
of chronic low back pain is pelvic floor muscle training, the effectiveness
of which we evaluated through this literature review. Methods: In the
systematic literature review, randomized controlled trials identified
through the PubMed and Google Scholar databases were included. All
studies, regardless of the year of publication, written in English language
and meeting the inclusion criteria, were reviewed. These criteria included
that the studies were randomized controlled trials, with participants
being individuals with chronic lower back pain, and that the intervention
involved pelvic floor muscle exercises. The quality of included studies
was assessed using the PEDro scale. Results: Seven randomized
controlled trials were included in the systematic literature review. Their
methodological quality was rated as “fair” (> 4) according to the PEDro
scale. The results of the studies showed that a treatment consisting of
standard physiotherapy (electrotherapy, thermotherapy, ultrasound
therapy, back muscle strengthening exercises) and pelvic floor muscle
training significantly reduces pain and improves the functionality of
people with chronic low back pain. Furthermore, this combination
proved to be significantly more effective intervention than standard
physiotherapy treatment alone. Nevertheless, the reduction in chronic
low back pain is more pronounced when we add trunk stabilization
exercises to standard treatment than when we add pelvic floor muscle
exercises. Discussion and conclusions: The main finding of our literature
review suggests that integrating pelvic floor muscle training into