Effects of Vertebral Axial Loading Walking Combined With Core Stabilization Exercises in Individuals With Chronic Low Back Pain

Plain-language summary

Chronic low back pain is a common musculoskeletal condition persisting for more than three months and is associated with pain, functional limitations, impaired balance, altered proprioception, reduced trunk muscle performance, and decreased quality of life. Previous studies have demonstrated that individuals with chronic low back pain exhibit altered sensory input from spinal structures and impaired neuromuscular control, which may contribute to persistent pain and movement dysfunction. Although exercise-based physiotherapy approaches, particularly core stabilization exercises, are widely recommended and effective in the management of chronic low back pain, sensory deficits related to balance, proprioception, and body awareness are often insufficiently addressed in conventional rehabilitation programs. Vertebral axial loading walking training is a functional rehabilitation approach involving slow, controlled walking under gentle vertical loading applied along the spinal axis. This intervention is thought to enhance afferent sensory input from spinal mechanoreceptors, potentially improving balance control, proprioception, and motor coordination. This randomized controlled study aims to investigate the effects of adding vertebral axial loading walking training to a standard core stabilization exercise program on pain intensity, balance, proprioception, trunk muscle strength and endurance, and body awareness in individuals with chronic low back pain.

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