OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the effect of flexi-bar and stabilization exercises on static and dynamic postural control in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain. Patients and METHODS: In this randomized controlled study conducted between November 2019 and March 2020, 38 patients (19 males, 19 females; mean age 33.8 +/- 6.2 years; range 20 to 45 years) were randomly assigned into flexi-bar (n = 19) and stabilization (n = 19) groups. Both groups received general physiotherapy for three sessions per week, a total of 10 sessions. Besides, the flexi-bar group received flexi-bar exercises, and the stabilization group received stabilization exercises. Postural sway was assessed with a force platform in three difficult conditions, including open eye, close eye, and one-leg standing and dynamic posture with the modified Star Excursion Balance Test. RESULTS: After the intervention, both groups showed a significant improvement in static and dynamic postural control (p < 0.05). However, no significant differences were found between groups after treatment, while only the phase-plane portrait of opened eyes condition was significantly improved (p = 0.03), in the flexi-bar group compared to the stabilization group. CONCLUSION: Both flexi-bar and stabilization exercises effectively improved static and dynamic postural control, but none of the exercises was superior to the other. Flexi-bar is recommended as an effective tool in low back pain rehabilitation.

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