“Effectiveness of Swiss Ball Exercise and Pilates Exercise on Pain and Quality of Life in Female Sweepers with Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain: A Comparative Study”

Abstract

Background: Chronic non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) is low back pain without an identifiable specific cause and is commonly associated with occupational activities involving repetitive bending and prolonged postures. Female sweepers are particularly exposed to such physical demands. Physiotherapy techniques like Pilates exercise and Swiss ball exercise are commonly used; however, evidence comparing their effectiveness are limited.

Objective: To compare the effects of Swiss ball exercises and Pilates exercises on pain and functional disability in female sweepers with chronic NSLBP.

Methods: A comparative study was conducted in the Department of Physiotherapy, Revathi Medical Centre, over six months. 40 female sweepers with chronic NSLBP were equally divided into Group A (Swiss ball exercises) and Group B (Pilates exercises). Both groups received their respective interventions thrice weekly for 4 weeks, totalling 12 sessions. Pain and functional disability were assessed using the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), respectively. Statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05.

Results: Both groups demonstrated significant improvement following treatment. However, Group A showed significantly greater reduction in NPRS score and ODI score compared with Group B (p<0.05)

Conclusion: The study concludes that both the Swiss ball exercise and Pilates exercise are effective in reducing pain, enhancing function and quality of life in subjects with non-specific low back pain. In the pre-test and post-test collected data analysis the group A shows superior difference than group B.