The Effect of Sensory Motor Training on Pain Outcomes in PostMenopausal Women with Non-Specific Low Back Pain

Abstract

Objective: The study aimed to examine the impact of sensory-motor training (SMT) on pain outcomes, including pain intensity and pressure pain threshold, in postmenopausal women with nonspecific low back pain (NSLBP). Subjects: Fifty postmenopausal women, who complained of NSLBP for at least 3 months, participated in this study. They were between 50 and 65 years old, they were at least 3 years post-menopausal, and their BMI was < 30 kg/m². Design: It was a randomized controlled trial. Methods: Participants were equally and randomly allocated into two groups: Group A (control group) (n = 25) performed strengthening exercises for eight weeks, and Group B (study group) (n = 25) performed strengthening exercises in addition to SMT. Both groups received their program three times weekly for eight weeks. Assessment: The pressure algometry was utilized to measure pain pressure threshold (PPT); the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was utilized to measure pain severity for all patients in the two groups before and following the treatment. Results: within groups, there was a statistically significant increase in mean values of PPT of the iliopsoas, quadratus lumborum, gluteus medius, and gluteus maximus muscles following the intervention compared with the pre-intervention. Additionally, there was a statistically significant decrease in pain intensity, as measured by the VAS, following the intervention compared with the pre-intervention. Between groups, before treatment, no statistically significant difference was noted among groups in any of the outcome measures. However, following treatment, group B, the study group, exhibited a statistically significant variation in pain intensity, additionally; no statistically significant variation was indicated in the mean PPT values across both groups. Conclusion: Adding sensorimotor training to the rehabilitation program for patients with NSLBP as been shown to reduce pain and improve functional performance.