Stabilometry as a method of the osteopathic correction effectiveness assessment in patients with postoperative scars on the anterior abdominal wall and chronic nonspecific lower back pain

Introduction. Chronic nonspecific lower back pain (LBP) remains a persistent problem for medical rehabilitation patients, and the variety of causes and aggravating factors contributes to the ongoing search for better diagnostic and therapeutic solutions. Postoperative scars on the anterior abdominal wall, involving the fascial component of the musculoskeletal system, contribute to the development of LBP and can cause local and regional somatic dysfunctions. The use of stabilometry for osteopathic correction (OC) of patient′s postural balance allows for an objective assessment of the effectiveness of this approach in the rehabilitation process. OC of somatic dysfunctions associated with postoperative scars is primarily aimed at restoring proprioception in the patient′s body, significantly reducing the symptoms of LBP.
The aim of the study: the goal of this study was to substantiate the use of the stabilometry method for an objective assessment of the osteopathic correction effectiveness in patients with postoperative scars on the anterior abdominal wall and chronic nonspecific lower back pain.
Materials and methods. A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted from February 2024 to October 2025 at the Medical Rehabilitation Department of the «RZhD-Medicine» Clinic at Bataysk Station. Eighty women with post-cesarean abdominal wall scars participated in the study. The study group consisted of 40 women whose individual medical rehabilitation plan (IMRP) included osteopathic correction (2 appointments with an osteopath, 12–14 days apart); the control group consisted of 40 women with no OC in IMRP. Stabilomertry with a computerized stabilization analyzer «Stabilan–01-2» was used as a testing method with all participants.
Results. The present study demonstrated the dynamics of the median (Me) Romberg coefficient (KoefRomb) in patients of the main group from 299 % (before OC) to 129,5 % after the medical rehabilitation course. More accurate KoefRomb data (from 32,5 % before OC to 72 % after OC) were obtained upon dividing patients into groups based on the ranges of this coefficient. Also, in the study group after the rehabilitation course the average spread (R) of the center of pressure oscillations statistically significantly decreased from Me=4,39 mm to 4,11 mm (p=0,038); the mean shift along the y-axis MO(y) in the study group tested with the eyes closed decreased from 7,29 to 2 mm (p=0,001), indicating an improvement in postural balance. When comparing the experimental and control groups in terms of stabilometric indicators before the implementation of IMRP, there were no differences, and after the course of medical rehabilitation, a statistically significant difference was noted MO(y) parameter (p=0,003).
Conclusion. Osteopathic correction of patients with postoperative scars on the anterior abdominal wall and chronic nonspecific lower back pain improves postural balance, affecting the entire musculofascial system. The stabilometry method allows for an objective assessment of the effectiveness of the rehabilitation measures.

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