The lumbar multifidus (LM) muscle
is an important muscle that works to stabilize certain spinal segments as well
as control the extension moment of the lumbar spine. Studies have shown that
this muscle can be atrophied in people with chronic lower back pain. Physical
therapists thus frequently use lumbar extensor strengthening or stabilization
exercises for treatment of lower back pain. Researchers are still uncertain
about the influence of surface electromyographic (EMG) activity on lower back pain treatment outcomes. Recent
research has focused mostly on EMG levels during prone trunk extension (PTE) exercises and four-point
kneeling contralateral arm and leg lift (FPKAL) exercises. These recent
studies however have not focused on the selective activation of LM muscles
during lower back pain treatment exercises.
Jun-Seok Kim, Min-Hyeok
Kang, Jun-Hyeok Jang, and Jae-Seop Oh thus sought to study
exactly that so as to provide an experimental study that established the
efficacy of the exercises as therapeutic treatment. The researchers gathered a
group of twenty healthy individuals without lower back pain who had not participated in lumbar strengthening or
stabilization exercises during
the previous six
months. Surface EMG data was
collected from the volunteers using a BIOPAC MP150 data acquisition and
analysis system as they performed the various exercises. The study found that selective
activation was higher during the FPKAL exercise than PTE, thus showing it is
the better and more effective way to treat lower back pain. While the
experiment provides good data for evaluating therapeutic exercises, future
evaluation in an actual physical therapy setting would prove
beneficial.
BIOPAC’s wireless BioNomadix Logger allows this type of
research to continue outside the laboratory. Subjects
who suffer lower back pain, for example, could wear the BIOPAC logging device when they are
performing PTE or FPKAL at home or during a therapeutic session.
The BioNomadix Logger’s portable
size and 24 hour data logging capability makes this type of surface EMG
recording outside the lab incredibly easy and would provide more insightful
evidence into effects of different therapeutic exercises.
