Assessment of Muscle Activity in Chronic Low Back Pain
Author Information
Author(s): McKeon Melissa D, Albert Wayne J, Neary J Patrick
Primary Institution: Human Performance Laboratory, Faculty of Kinesiology, University of New Brunswick
Hypothesis
Significant differences would be found between the healthy and LBP groups for all EMG and NIRS variables.
Conclusion
Individuals with chronic low back pain appear to use different muscle strategies compared to healthy individuals during endurance testing.
Supporting Evidence
- The healthy group displayed a significantly longer time to fatigue (Healthy: 168.5s, LBP: 111.1s; p ≤ 0.05).
- Significant differences were shown in the median frequency slope of the erector spinae between the two groups at 90–100% of the time to fatigue.
- No significant differences were noted in the haemodynamic data for the two groups.
Takeaway
People with chronic back pain use different muscles to help their backs when doing endurance tests compared to healthy people.
Methodology
Seventeen healthy individuals and 46 individuals with chronic low back pain performed the Biering-Sørenson Muscular Endurance Test while surface electromyography and Near Infrared Spectroscopy were used to measure muscle activity and oxygenation.
Limitations
The study may have individual variability in responses to the tests, which could affect the results.
Participant Demographics
17 healthy individuals (8 males, 9 females) and 46 individuals with chronic low back pain (17 males, 29 females).
Statistical Information
P-Value
p = 0.002
Statistical Significance
p ≤ 0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website