A method for assessing the quality of rehabilitation exercise performance in the McGill Big Three program in patients with low back pain
- 1Uzhhorod National University, Narodna Sq., 3, Uzhhorod, 88000
Abstract
Low back pain is one of the most common reasons for seeking medical care and the leading cause of years lived with disability worldwide. Therapeutic exercise is a key component of rehabilitation; however, its effectiveness depends not only on the selection of exercises but also on the quality of their performance. Incorrect exercise technique may reduce therapeutic effectiveness and contribute to the development of compensatory movement patterns. One of the most widely used stabilization exercise programs for low back pain is the McGill Big Three, which is recommended in international clinical guidelines (NICE, ACP) and is widely implemented in physical therapy because of its safety, simplicity, and ability to improve trunk stability. Currently, the quality of exercise performance within this program is assessed primarily through subjective observation, with no standardized quantitative evaluation criteria. The lack of objective assessment tools highlights the need for the development of a standardized system for analyzing exercise performance in patients with dorsalgia. The aim of this study was to develop a method for assessing the quality of McGill Big Three exercise performance in patients with dorsalgia based on angular-temporal movement analysis using digital technologies. Based on a review of the scientific literature, we developed a system for evaluating the quality of McGill Big Three exercise performance using three angular-temporal assessment scales. The proposed method includes video recording of the exercises, measurement of angular deviations of anatomical body segments from the neutral position, and expert assessment using digital measurement tools. The assessment includes analysis of the position of the head, shoulder girdle, lumbar spine, pelvis, and lower extremities, depending on the specific exercise, as well as the duration of correct position maintenance. Four assessment parameters were selected, each rated on a 4-point scale (0-3 points), with a maximum total score of 12 points. Standardized conditions for video acquisition and a structured scoring algorithm were developed to ensure reproducibility of the assessment. The developed scales enable quantitative evaluation of exercise performance quality, identification of technical errors, and monitoring of rehabilitation progress. An angular-temporal model for assessing the technique of McGill Big Three exercises in patients with dorsalgia was developed. This instrument provides an objective approach to movement assessment, standardizes exercise quality control, and may be applied in clinical practice, educational settings, and scientific research.
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BibTeX
@article{hryhorenko2026method,
title = {{A method for assessing the quality of rehabilitation exercise performance in the McGill Big Three program in patients with low back pain}},
author = {D.V. Hryhorenko and P.O. Kolesnyk},
journal = {Medičnì Perspektivi},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.26641/2307-0404.2026.3.375425},
url = {https://doi.org/10.26641/2307-0404.2026.3.375425},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - A method for assessing the quality of rehabilitation exercise performance in the McGill Big Three program in patients with low back pain
AU - D.V. Hryhorenko
AU - P.O. Kolesnyk
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/01
JO - Medičnì Perspektivi
DO - 10.26641/2307-0404.2026.3.375425
UR - https://doi.org/10.26641/2307-0404.2026.3.375425
AB - Low back pain is one of the most common reasons for seeking medical care and the leading cause of years lived with disability worldwide. Therapeutic exercise is a key component of rehabilitation; however, its effectiveness depends not only on the selection of exercises but also on the quality of their performance. Incorrect exercise technique may reduce therapeutic effectiveness and contribute to the development of compensatory movement patterns. One of the most widely used stabilization exercise programs for low back pain is the McGill Big Three, which is recommended in international clinical guidelines (NICE, ACP) and is widely implemented in physical therapy because of its safety, simplicity, and ability to improve trunk stability. Currently, the quality of exercise performance within this program is assessed primarily through subjective observation, with no standardized quantitative evaluation criteria. The lack of objective assessment tools highlights the need for the development of a standardized system for analyzing exercise performance in patients with dorsalgia. The aim of this study was to develop a method for assessing the quality of McGill Big Three exercise performance in patients with dorsalgia based on angular-temporal movement analysis using digital technologies. Based on a review of the scientific literature, we developed a system for evaluating the quality of McGill Big Three exercise performance using three angular-temporal assessment scales. The proposed method includes video recording of the exercises, measurement of angular deviations of anatomical body segments from the neutral position, and expert assessment using digital measurement tools. The assessment includes analysis of the position of the head, shoulder girdle, lumbar spine, pelvis, and lower extremities, depending on the specific exercise, as well as the duration of correct position maintenance. Four assessment parameters were selected, each rated on a 4-point scale (0-3 points), with a maximum total score of 12 points. Standardized conditions for video acquisition and a structured scoring algorithm were developed to ensure reproducibility of the assessment. The developed scales enable quantitative evaluation of exercise performance quality, identification of technical errors, and monitoring of rehabilitation progress. An angular-temporal model for assessing the technique of McGill Big Three exercises in patients with dorsalgia was developed. This instrument provides an objective approach to movement assessment, standardizes exercise quality control, and may be applied in clinical practice, educational settings, and scientific research.
SN - 2307-0404
SN - 2786-4804
ER -