title: Effect of thoracic mobilization on respiratory parameters in chronic non-specific low back pain: A randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Altered respiratory function has been found to be associated with back pain. Limited chest excursion in subjects with chronic low back pain (CLBP) may be due to co-contraction or bracing of erector spinae and abdominal muscles; their flexed spinal posture; and/or their compromised spinal stability resulting from dysfunctional transversus abdominis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To check for the effects of thoracic mobilization on respiratory parameters in subjects with chronic non-specific low back pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-two subjects (excluding 11 dropouts) with CLBP of age group 30-60 were randomly allocated to two groups. Both groups received individualized treatment for low back pain (LBP) and HEP (home exercise program) regime of breathing exercises. In addition, group 1 received Maitland's Central postero-anterior vertebral pressure for thoracic spine (T1-T8). Total treatment duration was 10 sessions in 2 weeks (5 sessions/week).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results showed significant improvement in respiratory parameters viz. Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Sustained Maximal Inspiratory Pressure (SMIP) and Chest Wall Expansion (CWE) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) in both groups (p< 0.05) at end of 2 weeks of intervention. However, improvement was significantly more in group 1 (p < 0.05) receiving additional thoracic mobilization.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Subjects with non-specific chronic low back pain with or without radiation to lower limbs when treated with thoracic central PA mobilization, in addition to LBP specific treatment and breathing exercises, show an improvement in respiratory parameters and reduction in disability.
authors.affiliation: College of Physiotherapy, MAMC, Haryana, India.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Babina
authors.affiliation: SVNIRTAR, Cuttack, India.
authors.forename: P P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Mohanty
authors.affiliation: SVNIRTAR, Cuttack, India.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pattnaik
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001945:Breathing Exercises; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D012120:Respiration Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests
keywords: Chronic low back pain; respiration; thoracic mobilization