Effect of High-Intensity Complex Exercise Program Using Whole-Body Vibration and Respiratory Resistance for Low Back Pain Patients with High Obesity

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of high-intensity complex exercise program using whole-body vibration (WBV) and respiratory resistance on pain and dysfunction, psychosocial level, balance ability, and pulmonary function in low back pain (LBP) patients with high obesity. Design: A randomized controlled trial Methods: A total of 44 LBP patients withhigh obesity (body mass index, BMI≥30kg/m2) were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n＝22) and a control group (n＝22). Both groups underwent a lumbar stabilization exercise program. In addition, the experimental group implemented the high-intensity complex exercise program combined with WBV and respiratory resistance. In order to compare the effects depending on the intervention methods, numeric pain rating scale (NRPS), Roland-Morris disability questionnaire (RMDQ), fear-avoidance beliefs questionnaire (FABQ), balance ability, and pulmonary function were used for measurement. Results: Both groups showed significant differences in NRPS, RMDQ, FABQ, balance ability before and after intervention (p ＜0.05). In addition, the experimental groupshowed significant difference in the amount of change in RMDQ, balance ability and pulmonary function values than the control group (p＜0.05). Conclusions: High-intensity complex exercise program using WBV and respiratory resistance has been proven to be an effective and clinically useful method to decrease dysfunction, increase balance ablilty, and pulmonary function for LBP patients with high obesity.