Core Stabilization Exercise Therapy in Chronic Lower Back Back Management in Community Dwelling Older Adults

Objectives: To develop an exercise program for older adults with low back pain. And,to develop a clinical prediction rule that could identify a subgroup of people with NSLBP Participants: 150 people aged between 40 to 80 with non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) for more than 6 months and is able to ambulate independently will be invited to join the study. People who had 1) previous spinal surgery; 2) LBP attributable to current pregnancy; 3) acute fracture, recent fall, tumour, or bone infection; and 4) experience of practising core-stability exercises in the past 6 months will be excluded. Study details will be explained to participants and written consent will be obtained prior the study. 75 participants will be randomized into the intervention group. Another 75 participants will be randomized into the waiting list control group. Assessment Participants will undergo two comprehensive assessments before and after the training, which includes: Surface electromyogram (EMG) on the lumbar spine and abdominal muscle, Inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor for trunk movement, clinical assessment including. Prone instability test. Subjective assessments: Visual analogue scale score for pain, The Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire and Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire. Intervention - 16 session structured exercise program All participants will undergo a 16 session exercise program for 2 months. Each session will last for 60minutes. The exercise program will be arranged in a group format with class size ranging from 6 - 8 per class Subjects will be divided into experimental and control groups. Participants in the control group will not receive exercise training at first but were evaluated at the same time as participants in the experimental group. The participant in the control group completed the exercise training after the post-assessment.

Inclusion Criteria: * 1）people aged between 40 to 80 with non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) for more than 6 months ；2）people is able to ambulate independently Exclusion Criteria: * 1\) previous spinal surgery; 2) LBP attributable to current pregnancy; 3) acute fracture, recent fall, tumour, or bone infection; and 4) experience of practising core-stability exercises in the past 6 months