Understanding the Biering-Sørensen test: Contributors to extensor endurance in young adults with and without a history of low back pain.

The Biering-Sørensen test is commonly used to assess paraspinal muscle endurance. Research using a single repetition of the test has provided conflicting evidence for the contribution of impaired paraspinal muscle endurance to low back pain (LBP). This study investigated how Sørensen test duration, muscle activation, and muscle fatigability are affected by multiple repetitions of the test and determined predictors of Sørensen test duration in young adults with and without a history of LBP.

Comparison of electromyographic activity of the gluteal muscles and tensor fascia lata in persons with patellofemoral pain: evaluation of selected, hip-targeted exercises using indwelling fine-wire electrodes.

Introduction: Excessive hip adduction and internal rotation are common movement impairments associated with patellofemoral pain (PFP). As such, strengthening of the hip abductors and external rotators commonly is recommended. Because tensor fascia latae (TFL) is a hip internal rotator in addition to being an abductor, it is important to select exercises that target the superior gluteus maximus (SUP-GMAX) and gluteus medius (GMED) while minimizing activation of the TFL.

Understanding the Biering-Sørensen test: contributors to extensor endurance in young adults with and without low back pain.

Impaired paraspinal muscle endurance may contribute to persistent low back pain (LBP) and is frequently assessed using a single repetition of the Biering-Sørensen test. This study investigated how Sørensen test duration, muscle activation, and muscle fatigability are affected by multiple repetitions of the test, and determined predictors of Sørensen test duration in young, active adults with and without a history of LBP. Sixty-four individuals with and without persistent LBP performed 3 repetitions of the Sørensen test.

Persons with patellofemoral pain exhibit altered hip abductor muscle recruitment while performing hip abductor exercises.

Introduction: Strengthening of the hip abductors has been advocated for persons with patellofemoral pain (PFP). It is not clear if these individuals activate the hip abductor muscles appropriately to achieve the desired therapeutic effects.

Objective: To compare activation of the hip abductor muscles between persons with and without PFP during the performance of hip abductor exercises.

Survey of Physical Therapists' Attitudes, Knowledge, and Behaviors Regarding Diagnostic Imaging.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to describe physical therapists' attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors regarding the use of diagnostic imaging.

Methods: Physical therapists in the United States were recruited from July 2018 through May 2019 to complete a web-based, cross-sectional survey. Participants were asked about demographics, their perceived knowledge base and skills for recommending or ordering different imaging modalities, and their behaviors regarding diagnostic imaging.

Postural cueing increases multifidus activation during stabilization exercise in participants with chronic and recurrent low back pain: An electromyographic study.

Persons with low back pain (LBP) have demonstrated altered morphology and function of the deep multifidus (DM). This study examined the effects of postural cueing for increased lumbar lordosis on DM and longissimus thoracis (LT) activation during lumbar stabilization exercises (LSE) performed by persons with LBP. Nine adults with a history of chronic or recurrent LBP were recruited.

The influence of pelvic rotation on clinical measurements of hip flexion and extension range of motion across sex and age.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify the amount of pelvic rotation associated with hip motion during passive hip flexion and extension goniometric measurements.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: University laboratory.

Spondylolisthesis Identified Using Ultrasound Imaging.

57-year-old woman was recruited for a research study of muscle activation in persons with low back pain. She described a progressive worsening of left lower lumbar pain, which began 5 years prior without any precipitating incident, and intermittent pain at the left gluteal fold (diagnosed as a proximal hamstring tear 2 years prior). Ultrasound revealed marked anterior displacement of the L3-4 and L4-5 facet joints.

Children require less gait kinematic adaptations to pull a trolley than to carry a backpack.

To transport school materials, trolleys have been proposed for children as an alternative to carrying a backpack. However, there is limited evidence comparing the adaptations associated with carrying school trolley versus backpack. This study compared the effects of carrying a backpack and pulling a trolley on gait kinematics in children.

Comparison of Electromyographic Activity of the Superior and Inferior Portions of the Gluteus Maximus Muscle During Common Therapeutic Exercises.

Study Design Controlled laboratory study, repeated-measures design. Background Previous studies have reported that the superior and inferior portions of the gluteus maximus have different functional roles. Knowledge of how the different portions of the gluteus maximus are activated during therapeutic exercise may lead to more specific exercise prescription.

Postural Cueing to Increase Lumbar Lordosis Increases Lumbar Multifidus Activation During Trunk Stabilization Exercises: Electromyographic Assessment Using Intramuscular Electrodes.

Study Design: Controlled laboratory study, repeated-measures design.

Background: Diminished multifidus activation and cross-sectional area are frequent findings in persons with low back pain. Increasing lumbar lordosis has been shown to increase activation of the multifidus with a minimal increase in activation of the long global extensors during unsupported sitting.

Construct validity of center of rotation in differentiating of lumbar segmental instability patients.

Purpose: Lumbar Segmental Instability (LSI) is a subgroup of nonspecific Low Back Pain (NSLBP) without any accepted diagnostic tool as a gold standard. Some authors emphasize on quality measure such as centre of rotation (COR) but construct validity of this measure had not been approved. Therefore the purpose of the present study was to evaluate Concurrent and Convergent validity of COR in differentiating LSI.

Intensive, progressive exercise improves quality of life following lumbar microdiskectomy: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: The purpose of the study was to examine changes in quality of life measures in patients who have undergone an intensive exercise program following a single level microdiskectomy.

Design: Randomized controlled trial with blinded examiners.

Setting: The study was conducted in outpatient physical therapy clinics.

Which exercises target the gluteal muscles while minimizing activation of the tensor fascia lata? Electromyographic assessment using fine-wire electrodes.

Study Design: Controlled laboratory study, repeated-measures design.

Objectives: To compare hip abductor muscle activity during selected exercises using fine-wire electromyography, and to determine which exercises are best for activating the gluteus medius and the superior portion of the gluteus maximus, while minimizing activity of the tensor fascia lata (TFL).

Background: Abnormal hip kinematics (ie, excessive hip adduction and internal rotation) has been linked to certain musculoskeletal disorders.

Spectral analysis of EMG using intramuscular electrodes reveals non-linear fatigability characteristics in persons with chronic low back pain.

Greater fatigability across lumbar extensors has been reported in persons with chronic low back pain (LBP), however, extensor atrophy tends to be local to the site of pain. Therefore, specific ultrasound guided local and remote intramuscular electromyographic recordings were undertaken during an isometric horizontal trunk hold in two carefully matched cohorts; persons with and without LBP. The test was performed to self-determined maximal hold time, and the control group held the horizontal position longer (P < 0.

Multifidus atrophy is localized and bilateral in active persons with chronic unilateral low back pain.

Objective: To compare the lumbar multifidi muscle volume devoid of fat local to the site of pain in persons with and without chronic unilateral lower lumbar pain.

Design: Prospective cross-sectional design.

Setting: University biokinesiology laboratory.

Secondary mediation and regression analyses of the PTClinResNet database: determining causal relationships among the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health levels for four physical therapy intervention trials.

Background: Each of the 4 randomized clinical trials (RCTs) hosted by the Physical Therapy Clinical Research Network (PTClinResNet) targeted a different disability group (low back disorder in the Muscle-Specific Strength Training Effectiveness After Lumbar Microdiskectomy [MUSSEL] trial, chronic spinal cord injury in the Strengthening and Optimal Movements for Painful Shoulders in Chronic Spinal Cord Injury [STOMPS] trial, adult stroke in the Strength Training Effectiveness Post-Stroke [STEPS] trial, and pediatric cerebral palsy in the Pediatric Endurance and Limb Strengthening [PEDALS] trial for children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy) and tested the effectiveness of a muscle-specific or functional activity-based intervention on primary outcomes that captured pain (STOMPS, MUSSEL) or locomotor function (STEPS, PEDALS).

Objective: The focus of these secondary analyses was to determine causal relationships among outcomes across levels of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework for the 4 RCTs.

Method And Design: With the database from PTClinResNet, we used 2 separate secondary statistical approaches-mediation analysis for the MUSSEL and STOMPS trials and regression analysis for the STEPS and PEDALS trials-to test relationships among muscle performance, primary outcomes (pain related and locomotor related), activity and participation measures, and overall quality of life.

The Low Back Activity Confidence Scale (LoBACS): preliminary validity and reliability.

Background: Low back pain affects a substantial number of adults each year and is persistent or recurrent for many. Self-efficacy is an important predictor of functional recovery.

Objective: The purpose of this investigation was to assess the preliminary reliability and validity of the Low Back Activity Confidence Scale (LoBACS) for individuals with histories of low back pain or lumbar surgery.

An intensive, progressive exercise program reduces disability and improves functional performance in patients after single-level lumbar microdiskectomy.

Background: Restoration of physical function following lumbar microdiskectomy may be influenced by the postoperative care provided.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a new interventional protocol to improve functional performance in patients who have undergone a single-level lumbar microdiskectomy.

Setting: The study was conducted in physical therapy outpatient clinics.

Multifidus morphology in persons scheduled for single-level lumbar microdiscectomy: qualitative and quantitative assessment with anatomical correlates.

Objective: The purpose of this study was 2-fold: (1) to analyze the degree and the location of lumbar multifidus asymmetry among patients scheduled for L4-L5 microdiscectomy, and (2) to determine the amount of asymmetry recognizable by a radiologist on magnetic resonance imaging.

Design: Bilateral multifidi cross-sectional areas were measured on magnetic resonance axial images of 20 patients scheduled to undergo L4-L5 microdiscectomy. The sides were compared and the location and amount of asymmetry (%)determined.

Effects of a single session of posterior-to-anterior spinal mobilization and press-up exercise on pain response and lumbar spine extension in people with nonspecific low back pain.

Background And Purpose: Posterior-to-anterior (PA) mobilization and press-up exercises are common physical therapy interventions used to treat low back pain. The purpose of this study was to examine the immediate effects of PA mobilization and a press-up exercise on pain with standing extension and lumbar extension in people with nonspecific low back pain.

Subjects: The study participants were 30 adults (19 women and 11 men) who were 18 to 45 years of age and had a diagnosis of nonspecific low back pain.

The immediate and long-term effects of exercise and patient education on physical, functional, and quality-of-life outcome measures after single-level lumbar microdiscectomy: a randomized controlled trial protocol.

Background: Low back pain remains a costly quality-of-life-related health problem. Microdiscectomy is often the surgical procedure of choice for a symptomatic, single-level, lumbar disc herniation in younger and middle-aged adults. The question of whether a post-microdiscectomy exercise program enhances function, quality of life, and disability status has not been systematically explored.

The relationship between lumbar segmental motion and pain response produced by a posterior-to-anterior force in persons with nonspecific low back pain.

Study Design: Cross-sectional.

Objective: To investigate the association between lumbar segmental motion and pain response during the application of a posterior-to-anterior (PA) force to the lumbar spinous processes in persons with nonspecific low back pain.

Background: Although low back pain is believed to be associated with altered segmental motion of the lumbar spine, the relationship between subjective reports of pain and objective measurements of segmental motion has not been established.