COMPARISON OF CORE STABILIZATION AND MOTOR CONTROL EXERCISES IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC LOW BACK PAIN: A REVIEW ARTICLE

Abstract

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide and remains a major public health concern due to its high prevalence, socioeconomic burden, and impact on quality of life. The condition affects individuals of all age groups, particularly adults of working age, resulting in reduced physical activity, decreased work productivity, psychological distress, and increased healthcare costs. Although several conservative treatment options are available, exercise therapy has consistently been recommended as the first-line intervention because of its ability to improve pain, functional capacity, and overall physical performance. Among the numerous exercise-based rehabilitation strategies, core stabilization exercises (CSE) and motor control exercises (MCE) have emerged as two of the most frequently prescribed interventions for patients with chronic low back pain. Core stabilization exercises primarily focus on improving the strength, endurance, and coordination of the deep trunk muscles responsible for maintaining spinal stability. In contrast, motor control exercises aim to restore the normal activation pattern and coordination of these muscles during functional activities through low-load, task-specific training. Although both exercise approaches have demonstrated positive clinical outcomes, controversy still exists regarding their comparative effectiveness. Some studies have reported superior improvements in spinal stability following core stabilization training, whereas others have suggested that motor control exercises provide greater improvements in movement quality and neuromuscular coordination. Furthermore, recent systematic reviews have indicated that both interventions produce clinically meaningful reductions in pain and disability, although differences in treatment protocols, outcome measures, and patient characteristics make direct comparison challenging. The purpose of this review is to critically evaluate the current literature comparing core stabilization and motor control exercises in individuals with chronic low back pain. The review discusses their theoretical background, mechanisms of action, clinical effectiveness, advantages, limitations, and implications for physiotherapy practice.