BACKGROUND: Trunk stabilization contributes to the efficient control of body movements in daily life, and it plays an important role in maintaining the proper alignment of the body and preventing low back pain. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify the effectiveness of breathing exercises and lumbar segmental exercises on the vital capacity of lumbar instability patients. METHOD: Fifty-nine patients suffering from chronic low back pain participated in this study. They were randomly divided into three groups: experiment group 1 performed breathing and segmental stabilization exercises (n = 20), experiment group 2 performed segmental stabilization exercises (n = 20), and the control group performed the modality treatment (n = 19). The measurements were assessed on vital capacity. RESULTS: The difference in the forced vital capacity, maximal expiratory pressure, and maximal inspiratory pressure at pre- and post-intervention was significant in the RE+LSSE and LSSE groups (p < 0.05) and among all groups (p < 0.05). The difference in the forced expiratory volume at one second of each group was significant (p < 0.05) but was not significant among groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the lumbar segmental stabilization exercise activates the deep muscle and improves the respiratory function, and respiratory pressure, when used for chronic low back pain patients with segmental instability.

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