European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Low back pain (LBP) extension-biased, is the most common leading cause of disability among poultry workers who frequently perform repetitive trunk motions such as bending, twisting, and lifting. The incidence of LBP among the poultry worker’s has been reported to be 17.2% and it affects the workers capacity in doing functional activities of daily living. Men have higher risk of developing LBP due to the design of their work which involves repetitive trunk bending, twisting and rotation. The common interventions for LBP extension-biased include traction, acupuncture, stabilization, manipulation and Mckenzie exercises. Mckenzie exercises centralize pain, decrease functional disability, and improve spinal mobility. However, Swiss ball exercises are for stabilization exercises that strengthen core muscles, decrease pain perception, increase trunk mobility, decrease functional, and disability, The purpose of the study is to determine the effectiveness of Swiss ball exercises as an alternative to McKenzie exercises in treating Chronic Low Back Pain (CLBP) among poultry workers in terms of the following: relief of low back pain, increasing muscle strength, trunk flexibility, and improving functional ability and performance. The study utilized pre-test and post-test using paired T-test and independent T-test, and Wilcoxon signed ranked test. Sixty poultry workers were randomly grouped into controlled group and intervention group. Results show that there is no significant difference between the two exercises. Therefore, Swiss Ball can be used as an alternative to McKenzie in treating CLBP.