• Maryam Mirshahi, Rezvaneh Najafi, Mohammadreza Golbakhsh, Afsaneh Mirshahi, and Mahin A Pishkuhi.
• Sina Hospital, Imam Khomeini Avenue, Hassan Abad Square, PO Box 1136746911, Tehran, Iran. Tel +98 21 66348500. m.mirshahi2000@yahoo.com.
• Med Probl Perform Art. 2023 Dec 1; 38 (4): 207213207-213.

ObjectiveLow back pain (LBP) is relatively common among the musician population. Few studies have looked at the usefulness of a core stability exercise program in musicians suffering from LBP. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a core stability exercise program on pain and improvement of function in musicians with LBP.MethodsA total of 41 university-level instrumental musicians with nonspecific LBP who played piano, violin, or cello were randomly allocated to one of two groups in a randomized controlled trial. One person from the control group was lost to follow-up. Thus, 40 participants (23 females and 17 males) completed the study. The intervention group received education and a 12-week core stability exercise program. The control group only received an educational brochure. A visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were used to determine the severity of pain and functional status, respectively. Data were collected by an independent, blinded evaluator at baseline and at 12 and 24 weeks after baseline.ResultsThe intervention group showed a significant improvement in pain severity on the VAS and functional status on the ODI during all times of follow up, whereas the scores of pain and function worsened in the control group at 24 weeks. Between-group analysis showed significant difference in pain intensity at both weeks 12 and 24 of follow-up. However, for functional status, the difference was only significant after 12 weeks.ConclusionsA structured core stability exercise program supplemented with an educational brochure was effective to manage LBP in musicians.

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