The effectiveness of a simplified core stabilization program (TRICCS-Trivandrum Community-based Core Stabilisation) for community-based intervention in chronic non-specific low back pain

• Published in: Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research Vol. 14; no. 1; p. 86
• Main Authors: Majeed A, Shiju, Ts, Anish, Sugunan, Asha, Ms, Arun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 22.03.2019; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Abdomen; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Back pain; Chronic; Cognitive ability; Conservatism; Core stabilization; Education; Epidemiology; Exercise; Exercise - physiology; Exercise Therapy - methods; Exercises; Female; Humans; Low back pain; Low Back Pain - diagnosis; Low Back Pain - epidemiology; Low Back Pain - therapy; Male; Medical research; Middle Aged; Neck pain; Orthopedics; Pain; Pain management; Patients; Physical fitness; Population; Population studies; Prospective Studies; Public health; Questionnaires; Regression analysis; Residence Characteristics; Secondary education; Start back screening tool; Treatment Outcome; TRICCS protocol; Young Adult; India; Core stabilization; Chronic; Start back screening tool; ODI; Low back pain; Conservative; TRICCS protocol; Exercises
• ISSN: 1749-799X; 1749-799X
• DOI: 10.1186/s13018-019-1131-z

Chronic low back pain is a common public health problem all over the world. Conservative therapy is prescribed as the initial treatment strategy in chronic low back pain. The cornerstone of conservatism in back care is core muscle strengthening. However, exercises prescribed for the purpose are manifold and some are not easily done by patients in Asian countries. We developed an easy to adhere exercise protocol for core stabilization and tested its effectiveness in south Indian population. Prospective study of 73 patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) who were subjected to Trivandrum Community-based Core Stabilisation protocol of treatment. The enrolled patients underwent initial Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) evaluation and Keele Start Back (KSB) questionnaire before starting the protocol. Back education was given, and the patient started on stratified exercise protocol. ODI assessment was done weekly. The trend in ODI changes and the factors determining them were assessed using ANOVA. The correlation of quantitative variables like age, initial ODI score, and KSB score with the rate of reduction of ODI was assessed using Pearson's correlation. Cross-tabulations were done using the chi-square test. Parametric tests were used throughout the analysis as the quantitative study variables found to be linear. Multiple linear regression (for the quantitative outcome) and binary logistic regression (for the dichotomous outcome) were performed. Mean (SD) of ODI score has reduced significantly from 43.4 (16.6) to 24.6 (17.1) over the period of 6 weeks (p value < 0.001). The trend in reduction of ODI scores was significantly more in KSB score less than or equal to 3 compared to KSB more than 3 even after adjusting for the general trend of decreasing ODI score over time. The reduction in ODI scores appeared to be low for advancing age (p = 0.468) and higher KSB scores (p = 0.001). The TRICCS protocol is effective in a community-based approach in achieving satisfactory outcomes in CLBP in a period of 6 weeks. Patients with high KSB scores may require cognitive intervention also.