AI Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of specific trunk exercises versus general exercises on patients with chronic low back pain, focusing on self-rated disability, pain levels, and trunk muscle coordination.
- After an 8-week training program, the group participating in specific trunk exercises reported significantly lower levels of disability and pain compared to the general exercise group, which only performed seated cycling.
- Both groups exhibited improvements in trunk muscle coordination, suggesting that while specific exercises had a more significant impact on pain and disability, general exercises also led to beneficial motor control adaptations.
Article Abstract
Study Design: A randomized controlled trial.
Objective: To compare changes in self-rated disability, pain, and anticipatory postural adjustments between specific trunk exercise and general exercise in patients with chronic low back pain.
Summary Of Background Data: Chronic low back pain is associated with altered motor control of the trunk muscles. The best exercise to address altered motor control is unclear.
Methods: Sixty-four patients with chronic low back pain were randomly assigned to a specific trunk exercise group (SEG) that included skilled cognitive activation of the trunk muscles in addition to a number of other best practice exercises, whereas the general exercise group performed only seated cycling exercise. The training program lasted for 8 weeks. Self-rated disability and pain scores were collected before and after the training period. Electromyographic activity of various trunk muscles was recorded during performance of a rapid shoulder flexion task before and after training. Muscle onsets were calculated, and the latency time (in ms) between the onset of each trunk muscle and the anterior deltoid formed the basis of the motor control analysis.
Results: After training, disability was significantly lower in the SEG (d = 0.62, P = 0.018). Pain was reduced in both groups after training (P < 0.05), but was lower for the SEG (P < 0.05). Despite the general exercise group performing no specific trunk exercise, similar changes in trunk muscle onsets were observed in both groups after training.
Conclusion: SEG elicited significant reductions in self-rated disability and pain, whereas similar between-group changes in trunk muscle onsets were observed. The motor control adaptation seems to reflect a strategy of improved coordination between the trunk muscles with the unilateral shoulder movement. Trunk muscle onsets during rapid limb movement do not seem to be a valid mechanism of action for specific trunk exercise rehabilitation programs.
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Source |
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| http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/BRS.0b013e31826feac0 | DOI Listing |
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