NCT02901327

Multifidus Activation, Pain and Functional Disability in Individuals With Chronic Low Back Pain

Effects of Lumbar Stabilisation Exercise and Treadmill Walk on Multifidus Activation, Pain and Functional Disability in Individuals With Chronic Low Back Pain

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 53 (actual)
• Sponsor: Bayero University Kano, Nigeria · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 60 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Chronic Mechanical Low Back Pain (CMLBP) is a common disabling health problem among the general population. Multifidus muscle inhibition accompanying CMLBP plays a major role in perpetuating the pain and functional disability. Lumbar stabilisation and treadmill exercises are established treatments for CMLBP. However, it is not known which of the two techniques is more effective. This study was conducted to compare the effects of lumbar stabilisation and treadmill walk on multifidus activation, pain and functional disability in individuals with CMLBP.

Detailed description

Fifty-three individuals (23 females and 30 males) with CMLBP participated in this single blind randomised clinical trial. Consecutive participants were recruited from the outpatient Physiotherapy clinic of the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria and were randomly assigned to one of two exercise groups: Lumbar Stabilisation Group (LSG; n = 27) or Treadmill Walk Group (TWG; n = 26). However, 50 participants, (LSG: n = 25; and TWG: n = 25) completed the eight week study. Participants in the LSG had lumbar stabilisation exercises using McGill protocol while those in the TWG had walking exercise on a treadmill using the Bruce protocol. Treatment was applied three times weekly for eight weeks. Outcomes assessed at baseline and end of eighth week of study were: Pain Intensity (PI) using Visual Analogue scale, Functional Disability (FD) using Oswestry Disability Index Questionnaire; and Multifidus Muscle Activation (MMA) level using a surface electromyography machine. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, paired and independent t-tests at α0.05.

Conditions

• Chronic Low Back Pain

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
PROCEDURE	Lumbar Stabilisation Exercise	McGill protocol starting with: 1. 'cat-camel' exercise exercise 10 repetitions with 7 seconds hold each 2. 'curl-up' exercise 10 repetitions with 7 seconds hold each 3. 'side-bridge' exercise 10 repetitions with 7 seconds hold each 4. 'cat-camel' exercise 10 repetitions with 7 seconds hold each progression was based on subjects' tolerance and endurance.
PROCEDURE	treadmill walk exercise	Bruce protocol This include: 1. '5 minutes warm up' at zero degree inclination. 2. '20 minutes active exercise with increasing speed and inclination' 3. '5 minutes cool down'

Timeline

• Start date: 2015-03-01
• Primary completion: 2015-12-01
• Completion: 2016-02-01
• First posted: 2016-09-15
• Last updated: 2016-09-20

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Nigeria