• Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.804-813
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• 2018

Objective To elucidate the effect of a 12-week horizontal vibration exercise (HVE) in chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients as compared to vertical vibration exercise (VVE). Methods Twenty-eight CLBP patients were randomly assigned to either the HVE or VVE group. All participants performed the exercise for 30 minutes each day, three times a week, for a total of 12 weeks. Altered pain and functional ability were evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), respectively. Changes in lumbar muscle strength, transverse abdominis (TrA) and multifidus muscle thicknesses, and standing balance were measured using an isokinetic dynamometer, ultrasonography, and balance parameters, respectively. These assessments were evaluated prior to treatment, 6 weeks and 12 weeks after the first treatment, and 4 weeks after the end of treatment (that is, 16 weeks after the first treatment). Results According to the repeated-measures analysis of variance, there were significant improvements with time on VAS, ODI, standing balance score, lumbar flexor, and extensor muscle strength (all p<0.001 in both groups) without any significant changes in TrA (p=0.153 in HVE, p=0.561 in VVE group) or multifidus (p=0.737 in HVE, p=0.380 in VVE group) muscle thickness. Further, there were no significant differences between groups according to time in any of the assessments. No adverse events were noticed during treatment in either group. Conclusion HVE is as effective as VVE in reducing pain, strengthening the lumbar muscle, and improving the balance and functional abilities of CLBP patients. Vibrational exercise increases muscle strength without inducing muscle hypertrophy.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.139-147
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• 2016

Purpose: This study examined whether a single application of a lumbar flexion muscle energy technique (MET) could significantly influence pain, functional status, and range of motion in chronic back pain patients with restricted active trunk flexion. Methods: Twenty volunteers were randomly assigned to either a control group or an experimental group. Ten subjects in the control group received no treatment. Ten subjects in the experimental group received five sessions with the muscle energy technique, five times per week for two weeks. Outcomes were measured before and after two weeks of treatment in both groups. Pain intensity was assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Range of motion was measured using the sit-and-reach test (SRT). Functional disability levels were assessed using the Korean version of the Oswestry Disability Index (KODI). Results: The experimental group showed a significant difference in VAS, KODI, and SRT between pre- and post-treatment (p < .05), while the control group showed no significant changes. The changes in VAS, ODI, and SRT were statistically significant between the groups pre- and post-treatment (p < .05). Conclusion: This muscle energy technique is clinically effective for chronic low back pain patients.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.1834-1839
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• 2019

Background: Lumbar lordosis is a result of muscle shortening and may cause low back pain. Objective: To examine the effects of static and dynamic stretching on lumbar lordosis and low back pain in university students. Stretching is an intervention that can be applied to shortened muscles; however, very few studies have compared the effects of static and dynamic stretching on lumbar lordosis and low back pain. Design: Randomized controlled clinical trial (single-blind) Methods: The 12 selected subjects were randomly assigned static stretching and dynamic stretching groups each containing six students. The subjects in each group performed their respective stretching programs for 17 minutes, 3 times a week for 4 weeks. Lumbar lordotic angle, low back pain, and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were measured before and after the intervention. Results: Intragroup comparisons showed significant reductions in lumbar lordotic angle and low back pain in the static stretching group while the dynamic stretching group showed significant decreases in lumbar lordotic angle, low back pain, and ODI. The intergroup comparisons showed significantly greater differences between pre- and post-intervention in lumbar lordotic angle and low back pain in the dynamic stretching group compared to those in the static stretching group while ODI did not show any intergroup difference. Conclusions: The results of this study indicated that, while both static and dynamic stretching helped to reduce the lumbar lordotic angle and low back pain, dynamic stretching was more effective in alleviating lumbar lordotic angle and low back pain compared to static stretching.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.34-39
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• 2010

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to find out the evidence concerning the effectiveness of manual therapy intervention in the treatment of low back pain related to spondylolisthesis Methods : 12men with lumbar pain from L5~S1 spondylolisthesis of 2 or 3 grade were treated during 12-week period. The manual therapy applied twice per week. The results of back and radiating pain were measured by VAS, and abdominal muscle strength was measured by Power track II. The measurement of degree of slip in spondylolisthesis was confirmed by the lateral view of X-ray and took a measurements of the anterior displacement of a vertebral body in relation to the vertebral below. Results : 1. There was significant decrease in the back and radiating pain.(p<0.05) 2. There was significant increase in the abdominal muscle strength.(p<0.05). 3. There was significant decrease in the degree of the anterior displacement. Conclusion: The intervention of manual therapy for lumbar spondylolisthesis is effective in back pain, radiating pain, abdominal muscle strength and degree of the anterior displacement. So, nonsurgical treatment should be attempted before surgical treatment.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.63-71
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• 1998

Trunk holding test (Sorensen test) appear to have more value than strength test in prediction the occurrence of low back pain. Electromyographic activity of trunk extensor muscles during these test may provide clues to the etiology of neuromuscular-based low back pain. This study investigated the difference in back muscle endurance between healthy adult men and women using surface electromyographic (EMG) power spectral analysis. Thirty hea1thy subjects (15 men and 15 women) performed an unsupported trunk holding test for 60 seconds. Recording surface electrodes were placed over the erector spinae medially and laterally at vertebral levels of $L_1$ and $L_5$. Slope of total frequency was evaluated using the MP100WSW Fast Fourier Transform spectrum analysis program. The slopes of all indices of back muscle fatigue, except right $L_5$, were significantly steeper in men than in women (p<0.05). Our results indicated that the trunk holding test using EMG power spectral analysis of erector spinae muscles is useful for the evaluation of fatigue rate of these muscles. Our results also showed a higher muscle endurance in healthy adult women than in men.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.43-49
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• 2018

Background: In this study, the importance of constipation and back pain was assessed by regression analysis of the effects of stress, dietary habits, and water intake on constipation in women in their twenties and the influence of constipation and body mass index (BMI) To provide basic data. Methods: This study selected 109 having constipation of 120 students attending G University in Gwangju and eating habits, water intake level, stress and BMI. Trigger point at the tip of erector spina was palated with tenderness set in order to examine whether muscle tenderness and actual low back muscle tenderness level were same and left and right parts were measured three times and average of Max values was used. We examined the effect of constipation on low back pain and examined constipation and BMI to determine whether they affected low back pain. Results: There was no significant difference in eating habit although there was a significant difference in the effect of stress and water intake on constipation. Constipation had significant difference in back pain. However, there was no significant difference in BMI, normal weight, overweight, and obesity except for low body weight. Conclusions: This study found that constipation was associated with stress levels, water intake, and back pain. In conclusion, this study suggests basic data to prevent and treat constipation-related back pain, and recommends plenty of water intake, proper exercise and stress management to prevent constipation.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.118-126
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• 2007

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between the level of pain and depression in middle-aged women with chronic low back pain. Method: A descriptive correlational research design was utilized. The participants were middle-aged women who visited two back pain clinics in Wonju from October, 2006 through February, 2007. A total of 195 low back pain patients agreed to participate in this study, and data from 177 were analyzed. Data was collected using a questionnaire which included Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Center Epidemiology Studies Depression Scale(CES-D), and general characteristics. Descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA and Pearson correlation coefficients were utilized in the analysis. Results: The mean score for chronic low back pain as measured by the VAS was 4.99 (SD 2.41). The average score for depression as measured by the CES-D was 22.00 (SD 10.18). There was a significant relationship between the level of pain and depression (r=.372, p<.001). Conclusion: Nurses need to take into consideration depression of middle-age women with chronic low back pain for assessment and intervention. In the future, developing a strategy for integrating intervention of pain-control and depression will be needed in nursing care for middle-aged women with chronic low back pain.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.415-425
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• 2000

It is well known that the lifetime incidence of low back pain is extraordinarily high, but those who incur the majority of the cost, both personally and financially, are the chronic pain. Stabilization programmers attracted our interest, with their aims of using the muscle system to protect spinal joint structures from further repetitive microtrauma, recurrent pain and degerative change. In overviewing the stabilizing role of the trunk and back mucles our attention became focused on muscles which controlled the lumbar and lumbosacral joints rather than on muscles which span the spine from the thorax to pelvis. It was considered that muscles such as the lumbar multifidus, transversus abdominis, and possibly also parts of the obliquus internus abdominis, would most likely function to stabilize the segments of the lumbar spine. In order to check if these muscles were functioning in low back pain patients, it was necessary to devise specific muscle tests. The new concept involves exercises using only relatively low activity levels in the muscles. More emphasis is placed on a motor skill which has to be relearned, practised and then gradully incorporated back into functional movement.

• Journal of Wellbeing Management and Applied Psychology
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.31-34
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to review health-care program using the recent robotic horse-riding technology and its clinical effects for chronic low back pain. Research design, data and methodology: Recent clinical articles were determined under three inclusion criteria for in-depth review: 1) article that is published within 1 year, 2) article that includes the detailed explanation of health-care program using robotic horse-riding, 3) the article that deals with chronic low back pain during more than 6 months. Results: As a result, the finally-determined two articles demonstrated the clinical effects of robotic horse-riding statistically on pain intensity, low back muscle strength, spinal alignment, and fear-avoidance belief. Conclusions: After in-depth review, I concluded that health-care program using robotic horse-riding for chronic low back pain needs to be provided at low-intensity (e.g. less than 6km/h horse walking program) in the beginning of health-care for improving their motor control ability, then, at the increased intensity for strengthening core muscles.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.73-88
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• 2007

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to find out The effect of Low back pain on the total pattens of Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation(PNF). Methods : The subjects of the study were 62 low back pain patients. They were divided into two groups: 31 in the experimental group and 31 in the control group. the experimental group performed modalities and PNF total patterns three times for a week. the control group performed only modalities and ROM exercise three times for a week. Back muscle strength was measured by a back muscle strength measuring machine, the intensity of pain was measured by the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and the level of disability was measured by Oswestry low back pain disability index. Study measurements were compared before and after 6 weeks exercise program. The two groups of subjects were assessed by utilizing two different balance measurement: Static standing balance was measured by balance performance monitor (BPM) and Dynamic standing balance was measured by one leg standing(OLS). The scale for static standing balance was measured by using, sway area, sway path, max velocity. Results : The results of this study were as follow: 1) The score on visual analogue scale shows statistically significant increase on PNF group of post test(p<.05). 2) The score on Oswestry low back pain disability index. shows statistically significant decrease on PNF group of post test(p<.05). 3) The change sway area was statistically significant on pre-test and post-test(p<.05). 4) The change sway path was statistically significant on pre-test and post-test(p<.05). 5) The change max velocity was statistically significant on pre-test and post-test(p<.05). 6) The score on one leg standing shows statistically significant increase on PNF group of post test(p<.05). Conclusion : These results of this study indicated that Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Total patterns which performed for six weeks had a statistically significant influence on low back pain. If the exercise for muscle strength is performed along with therapeutic stabilizing exercise, a better effect can be expected on low back pain. We hope that this study will provide a basic data for further research with a bigger group and on a long-term effect.