Abstract: Objective: To study the effects of mm. abdominis exercise on lumbar spinal stenosis. Methods: 9 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis were treated with mm. abdominis exercises. The static and dynamic strength indexes, the sagittal diameter of canales spinalis tested by ultrasonography were observed and compared before and after treatment. Results: The effect of 3 patients was excellent, 5 good and 1 bad, and the strengths of mm. abdominis increased after treatment. The sagittal diameter of canales spinalis were 8.72±0.44mm and 10.78±0.44mm respectively before and after treatment. The difference was significant (P<0.001). Conclusion: It is suggested that mm. abdominis exercise is an effective technique in management of lumgar spinal stenosis.

Key words: spinal stenosis, exercise prescription, mm. abdominis exercise, B-ultrasonography, sagittal diameter