Effects of core stability exercise combined with virtual reality in collegiate athletes with nonspecific low back pain: a randomized clinical trial

Virtual reality is effective in the management of chronic low back ache in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Chronic low back ache (CLBA) is a common condition that is conventionally managed with physical therapy and analgesics. Recently, virtual reality-based interventions have been tried out in the management of CLBA. Their effectiveness, however has not been established. This meta-analysis aims to find out if the application of VR will lead to better pain relief, as compared to conventional techniques in adults with CLBA.

METHODS

The literature search was carried out in three online databases for potential randomized controlled trials that compared VR-based interventions with conventional treatment in CLBA. Data on outcome parameters were recorded. Meta-analysis was carried out with the help of appropriate software.

RESULTS

Seven studies having data on 507 subjects were included in the meta-analysis. Their mean ages were 48.4 years. There were 252 subjects in the VR group and 255 in the control group. VR-based interventions were found to have a statistically significant improvement in the pain intensity compared with conventional techniques (p - 0.005).

CONCLUSION

VR-based interventions are effective in the management of CLBA in the short term. Further research with longer follow-up is required to evaluate if these improvements are persistent in the long term.

PHYSICAL TRAINING SYSTEM ASSOCIATED WITH STRENGTHENING OF THE CORE IN YOUNG SWIMMERS

ABSTRACT Introduction: CORE fitness training in athletes is intimately related to their performance in competitive sports. However, few academic studies are dedicated to investigating this relationship in young swimmers. Objective: Verify the association between supplementary physical training focused on the CORE in young swimmers and their athletic performance. Methods: Randomized controlled study with 20 swimmers (12 males) born post-2000 was made in aquatic training three times a week for six months. The experimental group received a specific exercise protocol with emphasis on the CORE. The physiological comparison of the data considered the total time to complete the 400 and 800-meter freestyle swim. Results: After six months, the control group obtained a reduction of 2.6s versus 3.2s of the experimental group in the 400-meter freestyle swim; performance in the 800 meters revealed a reduction of 1s for the control group versus 4.5s of the experimental group, compared to the initial measurement. Conclusion: Supplemental fitness training focused on the CORE in young swimmers is positively associated with improvements in their athletic performance. Evidence Level II; Therapeutic Studies – Investigating the results.

Effects of an 8-Week Virtual Reality Training Program on Pain, Fall Risk, and Quality of Life in Elderly Women with Chronic Low Back Pain: Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial

Objective: Low back pain (LBP) and falls are among the major problems experienced by the elderly population. The present study investigated the effectiveness of an 8-week virtual reality training (VRT) program in helping relieve pain, minimize fall risk, and improve quality of life (QoL) in elderly women suffering from chronic LBP (CLBP). Materials and Methods: Twenty-five elderly women (VRT/intervention group = 13, control group = 12) with CLBP and aged 65 to 75 years were recruited. The VRT involved three 30-minute weekly sessions of exercises that were carried out using the Xbox Kinect headset. Pain intensity, fall risk, and QoL were assessed via the Visual Analog Scale, the Biodex Balance System, and the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey, respectively. Results: The outcomes of a one-way analysis of covariance indicated that the pain intensity score of the intervention group significantly decreased after participation in the VRT program (P = 0.001). The intervention group also showed reduced fall risk (P = 0.001) and elevated QoL (P = 0.001). Conclusion: The results confirmed that the VRT program can be regarded as a valid therapeutic intervention that helps reduce patients' symptoms and increase the effectiveness of exercises in the elderly by teaching pain-related insight as well as enhancing QoL and reduce fall risk through various movements.

Immersive virtual reality to relieve exercise-induced pain caused by aerobic cycling

Chronic pain affects 20% of the global population and is incredibly complex to treat. The burden of chronic pain is physical, emotional and financial, and prevalence rates continue to rise. Current treatments are ineffective long-term against pain and common comorbidities, including anxiety and depression, mood and sleep disorders, and social isolation. While a large body of evidence supports regular physical exercise as an effective long-term treatment for chronic pain and its comorbidities, exercise-induced pain and kinesiophobia are significant barriers to participation and adherence. Immersive virtual reality is a powerful short-term pain reliever, that, when combined with exercise, can help overcome these barriers. This perspective argues for the use of combined exercise and virtual reality treatment techniques to mitigate chronic pain.

Back Problems: Pros and Cons of Core Strengthening Exercises as a Part of Athlete Training

While competitive training is usually associated with the prevalence of back pain and injuries in athletes, little attention is being paid to the positive effects of sport-specific exercises on core musculature in the prevention of back problems. This scoping review aims (i) to map the literature that addresses the effects on reduction of back problems following athlete training with differing demands on the core musculature and (ii) to identify gaps in the existing literature and propose future research on this topic. The main literature search was conducted on the MEDLINE, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases and was completed on Elsevier, SpringerLink, and Google Scholar. A total of 21 research articles met the inclusion criteria. The findings of 17 studies identified that core strengthening and core stabilization exercises, alone or in combination with athlete training, contribute to the reduction of back pain in athletes, whereas only four studies revealed no significant association of core muscle strength and/or endurance with back problems. Nevertheless, more research is warranted to elucidate the pros and cons of purely sport-specific training with differing demands on the core musculature on back health in athletes. This could help us to design prevention strategies specifically tailored to individual athletes.

Effects of combining diaphragm training with electrical stimulation on pain, function, and balance in athletes with chronic low back pain: a randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

It is unknown how diaphragm training combined with electrical stimulation affects pain, function, static stability, and balance in athletes with chronic low back pain (CLBP). This study aimed to explore the effects of combining diaphragm training with electrical stimulation on pain, function, static stability, and dynamic balance in athletes with nonspecific CLBP.

METHODS

The design was a randomized clinical trial. A total of 24 amateur athletes (12 women, 12 men, mean age: 35.2 ± 9.8) with nonspecific CLBP were randomly allocated into two groups. The experimental group (n = 12) received diaphragm training plus Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), while the control group (n = 12) received TENS alone. Both groups underwent 12 sessions over a four-week period. Static stability, dynamic balance, pain, and function were measured pre- and post-intervention.

RESULTS

Analysis of variance 2 × 2 revealed greater improvements in pain (p < 0.001), static stability (p < 0.001), and dynamic balance (p < 0.01) in the experimental group compared to the control group. Function was improved in both groups following the interventions (p < 0.001), and there was a trend of a larger improvement in the experimental group than the control group (p = 0.09). Fisher's exact test showed that the experimental group reported ≥50% improvement only in the pain score, not function, compared to the group that received TENS alone (p = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

Pain, function, static stability, and dynamic balance were improved in both groups following 12 intervention sessions. However, pain, static stability, and dynamic balance were improved to a greater extent in diaphragm training plus TENS than TENS alone in amateur athletes with CLBP. Therefore, it seems beneficial to add diaphragm training to the rehabilitation program for athletes with nonspecific CLBP.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The trial was retrospectively registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials ( www.irct.ir ) on September 10, 2020 as IRCT20090228001719N8 .