International journal of pharmaceutical science and health care Issue 2, Volume 4 Aug 2012 Available online on: http://www.rspublication.com/ijphc/index.html ISSN: 2249-5738 Page 94 Effectiveness of Core Stability Exercises with Swiss Ball and Without Swiss Ball on Chronic Low Back Ache Niketa G. Patel 1 , Cheraladhan E. Sambandam 2 , Jagatheesn Alagesan 3 , Premkumar M 4 1 Niketa G. Patel, PG Student, College of Physiotherapy, Sumandeep Vidyapeeth, Piparia, Vadodara, India-391760. 2 Cheraladhan E. Sambandam, Assistant Professor, College of Physiotherapy, Sumandeep Vidyapeeth, Piparia, Vadodara, India. 3 Jagatheesan Alagesan, Associate Professor, College of Physiotherapy, Sumandeep Vidyapeeth, Piparia, Vadodara, India. 4 Premkumar M, Assistant Professor, College of Physiotherapy, Sumandeep Vidyapeeth, Piparia, Vadodara, India. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies indicate that about 80% of the population will suffer from back pain during their active lives. The core has been referred to as the ‘powerhouse’, the foundation or engine of all limb movement. All movements are generated from core and translated to the extremities. Core strengthening has been promoted as a preventive regimen, as a form of rehabilitation, and as a performance-enhancing program for various lumbar spine and musculoskeletal injuries. This study is aimed to compare the effectiveness of core stability exercises with Swiss Ball and without Swiss Ball on reducing pain and improving function in subjects with chronic low back ache. PROCEDURE: The total number of subjects participated in the study were 30 who met the selection criteria. These subjects were then divided randomly into 2 groups – Group A and Group B. Group A of 15 subjects were given core stability exercises with Swiss Ball, lumbar traction 10 minutes, IFT 10 minutes and Group B of 15 subjects were given core stability without Swiss Ball, with lumbar traction 10 minutes and IFT 10 minutes. The treatments for all groups were given for 2 weeks and once in a day. Pre and Post VAS score and Roland Morris Questionnaire score were taken. RESULT: At baseline both groups were homogeneous with p > 0.05 in both outcome measures. There was statistically significant difference in both groups after intervention with p < 0.05 for both outcome measures and there no statistically significant difference between both groups was observed. CONCLUSION: Core stability exercises with Swiss ball and core stability exercises without Swiss ball are effective in reducing pain and functional disability in chronic low back ache. KEY WORDS: Chronic Low Back Pain, Core stability exercises, Swiss ball. Corresponding Author : 1 Niketa G. Patel