Abstract

Background: This study examined the effects of deep muscle strengthening exercises based on biofeedback regarding pain, functional disability, balance ability, quality of life, and muscle thickness in elderly individuals aged over 65 years with low back pain (LBP).

Objects: Forty-four elderly individuals aged over 65 years with LBP participated in the study. The participants were assigned to either the experimental group (n = 23) or the control group (n = 23) using a randomization program. Both groups performed deep muscle strengthening exercises with the abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM). The experimental group also incorporated biofeedback. All interventions were conducted for approximately 30 minutes per session, three times a week, for four weeks. The Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), the Korean version of the Oswestry Disability Index (K-ODI), the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), quality of life (Short Form-12 Health Survey Questionnaire, SF-12), muscle thickness, and thickness ratio were measured before and after the intervention and compared.

Results: Both groups showed significant changes in the NRS, K-ODI, BBS, PCS, MCS, muscle thickness during contraction, and contraction ratio after the intervention (p < 0.05). In addition, the experimental group showed significant differences in NRS, K-ODI, BBS, PCS, MCS, muscle thickness during contraction, and contraction ratio compared to the control group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Deep muscle strengthening exercises based on biofeedback can be an effective intervention for improving the pain levels, motor function, quality of life, muscle thickness, and contraction ratio of the diaphragm in elderly patients aged 65 years or older with LBP.