BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Low back pain is a common disease in several industrialized countries, being a public health and incapacity problem, especially among economically active people. This study aimed at grouping and updating knowledge about motor control exercises for low back pain. CONTENTS: Cochrane, Medline (Pubmed) and PEDro databases were queried in the period from 2000 to 2010, using the keywords low back pain, stabilization, multifidus, transversus, exercise and training. Six randomized clinical trials were found, which have shown that such exercises may be indicated for acute low back pain to prevent recurrences, in addition to their indication to decrease chronic low back pain and incapacity. CONCLUSION: Motor control exercises do not improve pain and incapacity in acute cases, but are effective for chronic cases to relieve pain, decrease incapacities and improve quality of life.
Low back pain; Physical therapy modalities; Stabilization
