The Effect of Yoga and Stabilization Exercises in Individuals With Chronic Low Back Pain

Pain intensity of participants will be evaluated with visual analog scale (VAS). Paricipants asked to mark the intensity of pain on a 10 cm long line, explaining that the leftmost of the line does not have pain, that the pain increases while moving to the right, and that the pain is unbearable on the far right. VAS scored between 0-10 cm.

Patient's pain related functional status will be measured by Oswestry Disability Index. The scale is considered the 'gold standard' of low back functional outcome tools. This scale contain questions related to functional activities of pain intensity, personal care, lifting, walking, sitting, standing, sleeping, sex life, social life and travelling. Interpretation of scale are 0% to 20% for minimal disability, 21% to 40% for moderate disability, 41 % to 60 % for severe disability 61% to 80 % for crippled and 81 % to 100 % Bed-bound. The Oswestry Disability Index is scored between 0-50 points. An increase in score indicates a poor result. Patient's back-related functional performance will be evaluated with Back Performance Scale. Each question is scored between 0 and 3. The total score recorded. The Back Performance Scale test is scored between 0-15 points. An increase in score indicates a poor result.

Patient's back-related functional performance will be evaluated with Back Performance Scale. Each question is scored between 0 and 3. The total score recorded. The Back Performance Scale test is scored between 0-15 points. An increase in score indicates a poor result.

To evaluate the transversus abdominis muscle activation, the stabilizer biofeedback device is placed under the abdomen, just below the spina iliaca anterior superior, while the patient is in the prone position. The cuff of the device is inflated to 70 mmHg, the patient is asked to breathe and pull the abdomen up and in while exhaling, but the patient is warned not to make pelvis and spine movement. In the meantime, how much the pressure has changed is observed from the stabilizer device. In the test, the average of 3 repetitions will be recorded. With successful measurement, the pressure is expected to drop between 6 and 10 mm-Hg.

Fear-Avoidance-Beliefs Questionnaire will be applied to evaluate kinesiophobia which is fear of movement due to low back pain. This questionnaire has 2 sub-sections related to physical activity and work. There are 4 questions scored in the physical activity section and 7 questions in the work section. 0-6 points are obtained for each question. The total score will be recorded. Physical Activity sub-section scored between 0-24 points. Work sub-sections scored between 0-42 points. The higher the score, the higher the kinesiophobia.

The Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index will be used to evaluate sleep quality. This questionnaire evaluates sleep quality and disturbance over the past month. The scale consists of 7 subcomponents: Subjective Sleep Quality, Sleep Latency, Sleep Duration, Habitual Sleep Efficiency, Sleep Disturbances, Use of Sleeping Medication, and Daytime Dysfunction. Each component is scored between 0-3 points. The total score of the 7 components gives the total score of the scale. The total score ranges from 0-21. A total score greater than 5 indicates "poor sleep quality".

Metabolic capacity evaluation will be performed according to 6 Minute Walk Test. Individuals are asked to walk as fast as possible for 6 minutes without running on the 30 m long corridor. The test is started, the number of rounds is recorded while the patient is walking. Heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation and respiratory frequency will be evaluated and recorded at first, at the end of the test and one minute after. Walking distance is recorded in meters.