title: Effects of core stability exercises on multifidus muscles in healthy women and women with chronic low-back pain.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chronic low-back pain (LBP) may be related to decreased lumbar multifidus muscle cross-sectional area (CSA).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In this study, core stabilization exercises were designed to enhance neuromuscular control and correct multifidus dysfunction.
  
  
  METHODS
  The subjects were healthy women (n = 11) and women with chronic LBP (n = 17). Lumbar multifidus muscle CSAs were measured by ultrasonography. Tests were carried out before training exercises for lumbar stability, and again 4 months and 8 months after training.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In women with LBP, the mean multifidus muscle CSA increased by 22% on the right side and 23% on the left side after 8 months of lumbar stabilization training, compared with baseline measurements. In healthy women, mean multifidus muscle CSA increased by 24% on the right side and 23% on the left side, compared with baseline values.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A core stabilization exercise program significantly increased multifidus muscle CSAs in both healthy women and women with chronic LBP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Education Science, Kaunas University of Technology, Kaunas, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Irina
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kliziene
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Biology and Rehabilitation, Lithuanian Sports University, Kaunas, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Saule
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sipaviciene
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Psychology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Sarunas
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Klizas
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Biology and Rehabilitation, Lithuanian Sports University, Kaunas, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Daiva
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Imbrasiene
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008161:Lumbosacral Region; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D064170:Paraspinal Muscles / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Lumbar stability; low-back pain; multifidus muscle