Back Muscle Activation Imbalances Difficult To Assess In Low Back Pain Patients

Main Category: Back Pain
Article Date: 19 May 2005 - 15:00 PDT

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This study tests the use of electromyographic (EMG) contralateral imbalances (differences in left and right back muscle use) to measure back muscle impairment.

EMG activation of four pairs of back muscles was measured in healthy and chronic low back pain volunteers during static extension exercises.

The results showed that EMG contralateral imbalances were generally not affected by a lack of asymmetric body control, but this does not apply for all low back pain volunteers.

Investigators state that it is imperative to control factors that could be related to pain behaviors or lower-limb impairments that may cause asymmetric postures and efforts.

Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development Tipsheet
The current issue of the Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development (JRRD) includes four articles on measurement, treatment, and causes of low back pain and five articles on prosthetic research, including the affect of practitioner knowledge and technique on prosthetic fit; rapid, low cost prosthetic production; and increase of skin temperature after a prosthetic limb is donned.

Contact: Judith LaVoie
judith@vard.org
410-962-1800 x 229
VA Research Communications Service
http://www.vard.org

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