TO COMPARE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF TRUNK STABILIZATION EXERCISE AND GENERAL EXERCISE IN NON-SPECIFIC CHRONIC LOW BACK PAIN-A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Aim of study: To identify the effectiveness of particular trunk stabilization versus a general exercise in low back pain management. Methodology: An experimental study was conducted at the physiotherapy department of Dow University of Health Sciences, 52 participants with low backache were enrolled and assessed for pain intensity using Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and disability by using the Modified Oswestry Low Back Disability Index (MOLBDQ-I). Through equal randomization one group got their low back pain treated through trunk stabilization exercises while the other with general exercises, 3times/week* 4weeks. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0 by applying non-parametric Mann-Whitney U-test. Results: This study demonstrated that males and females are equally affected by chronic low back pain. Trunk stabilizing and general exercise regimes both significantly reduced the pain and disability in the study population but the effectiveness of trunk stabilizing exercises were significantly superior in reducing pain. Limitations and Future Implications: Study did not include a control group that received no intervention. It would be valuable to assess the cost-effectiveness of trunk stabilization exercises compared to general exercises or other interventions. Originality: Trunk stabilizing exercises are superior in reducing pain, disability, and restoring functional mobility than general exercises in chronic back pain. Conclusion: Trunk stabilizing exercises are superior in reducing pain, disability, and restoring functional mobility than general exercises in chronic back pain.

Pre and Postharvest Management to Improve Yield and Quality of Strawberry Fragaria X Ananassa Cv. Chandler

Strawberry is highly nutritious and economically important small fruit crop. In Pakistan strawberry yield and area is very less. Poor and irregular pre harvest practices cause decrease in marketable yield and shelf life. This research was executed to observe the pre and postharvest effects of salts and growth regulators on marketable yield and qualitative characteristics of strawberry. Pre harvest foliar practices consisted of CaCl2 (0, 3, 5, 7 mM), ZnSO4 (0, 50, 100, 150 mg L-1), GA3 (0, 50, 100, 150 mg L-1) and SA (0, 3, 6, 9 mM) those were sprayed on strawberry plants at different growth stages (three to four leaves stage and during fruit setting) to enhance the growth, marketable yield and quality attributes of strawberry. Among the CaCl2 treatments 7 mM was found best for enhancing leaf growth (15.25 plant-1), leaf area (37.0 cm2), crown growth (6.50 plant-1) and runners (7.0 plant-1) during growing season. Maximum marketable yield (348.50 g plant-1), fruit firmness (0.96 kg. cm-2), vitamin C contents (55.69 mg 100 g-1) and TPC (186.50 GAE mg 100 g-1) were also observed with 7 mM CaCl2 treatment. Foliar spray of 100 mg L-1 ZnSO4 was found best for enhancing leaf growth (18.25 plant-1), leaf area (52.0 cm2), crowns (7.0 plant-1) and marketable yield (369.0 g plant-1) with lower unmarketable fruit. Foliar application of 9 mM SA was observed better for increasing the leaf production (19.25 plant-1), leaf area (51.0 cm2), crowns (7.50 plant-1) and runners (6.75 plant-1). Minimum numbers of days (20.0) were required for flower anthesis when plants were sprayed with 9 mM SA foliar spray. Maximum marketable yield (414.25 g plant-1), vitamin C contents (56.72 mg 100 g-1), phenolic contents (191.50 GAE mg 100 g-1) and higher antioxidant activities (71.25% DPPH) were also noted from strawberry fruits where plants were treated with 9 mM SA foliar spray. Gibberellic acid (150 mg L-1) showed the superiority for enhancing the vegetative growth while marketable yield and fruit quality was not improved with same concentration of GA3. Maximum marketable yield (381.50 g plant-1), fruit TSS contents (7.85 ºBrix), vitamin C contents (52.23 mg 100 g-1) and higher antioxidant activities (64.75% DPPH) were observed from 100 mg L-1 GA3. Confirmatory trial was conducted for comparing the previous year best treatments from each experiment. By comparing, it was concluded that 9 mM SA foliar spray increased the marketable yield; improved quality attributes and extended the survival mechanism of strawberry plants during growing season. In postharvest study, maximum vitamin C contents (43.90 mg 100 g-1), TPC (132.75 mg 100 g-1), reduction in weight loss (6.08%) of strawberries and maximum firmness (0.42 kg. cm-2) was retained with higher concentration of CaCl2 (6 mM). During storage minimum TSS (7.85 ºBrix), maximum acid contents (0.62%) and total antioxidants (39.0% DPPH) were observed with SA (5 mM) application. In postharvest study it was confirmed that dipping application of CaCl2 (6 mM) and SA (5 mM) retained the quality attributes during 15 days of storage.