The effect of stabilization exercises along with self-care training on transverse abdominal activity, pain, and disability in mothers with low back pain having children with CP: a RCT.

Objective Many mothers of children with cerebral palsy experience low back pain, so the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of stabilization exercises along with self-care training on transverse abdominal muscle activity, pain, disability, and depression in them. Design In this single-blinded randomized clinical trial, 32 mothers with cerebral palsy children were selected were randomly divided into two groups. Both groups received self-care training individually. For the experimental group, in addition to the self-care training, 24 sessions of stabilization exercises were held. Outcome measures included visual analog scale, Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire, Persian version of Beck Depression Inventory-II, and ultrasonography. Results In the experimental group, the transverse abdominal muscle activity during abdominal hollowing exercises was significantly increased (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in pain, disability, and depression (P > 0.05). Conclusions Stabilization exercises could improve the voluntary activity of transverse abdominal muscle of mothers of children with cerebral palsy.