Efectividad de los programas de fortalecimiento lumbar específico en adultos con hernia discal sintomática: impacto en el dolor y la discapacidad funcional. Una revisión sistemática

Nino Johao Rodríguez-Erazo; Joselyn Anahí Chamba-Carrillo; Alex Augusto Fernández-Fierro; Alex Omar Pérez-Cunalata

Authors

Rodríguez-Erazo Nino Johao Instituto Superior Tecnológico España. Ambato, Ecuador. https://orcid.org/0009-0005-5697-9179
Chamba-Carrillo Joselyn Anahí Instituto Superior Tecnológico España. Ambato, Ecuador. https://orcid.org/0009-0002-9132-7510
Fernández-Fierro Alex Augusto Instituto Superior Tecnológico España. Ambato, Ecuador. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9593-6033
Pérez-Cunalata Alex Omar Docente del Instituto Superior Tecnológico España. Ambato, Ecuador. https://orcid.org/0009-0002-9188-7067

Keywords:

lumbar disc herniation; lumbar stabilization; therapeutic exercise; low back pain; functional disability

Abstract

DOI: https://doi.org/10.46296/gt.v9i18edespsep.0443

Abstract

The present has the objective to evaluate the effectiveness of lumbar strengthening/stabilization programs (specific or general) in adults with symptomatic lumbar disc herniation or chronic low back pain with radiculopathy, compared with general exercise, passive therapies, or another conservative modality, on pain intensity and functional disability. We have done a systematic review with searches in PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane CENTRAL, and an additional bibliographic database (records exported in September 2026), complemented with a targeted literature search given the initial scarcity of results, following the PRISMA 2020 methodology; 35 records were identified, of which 28 were screened after removing duplicates; 5 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) met the broadened eligibility criteria. All five RCTs reported significant improvements in pain and/or functional disability with lumbar stabilization/strengthening training versus the comparator; evidence comparing different specific stabilization modalities against each other was limited and inconsistent. Lumbar strengthening and stabilization programs improve pain and functional disability in people with symptomatic disc herniation or associated radiculopathy, but direct evidence comparing specific modalities (isometric, eccentric isotonic, pure motor control) against each other, and against a true no-exercise control group, remains scarce; larger RCTs specifically designed for this diagnostic subpopulation are needed.

Keywords: lumbar disc herniation; lumbar stabilization; therapeutic exercise; low back pain; functional disability.

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References

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