Combined neuromuscular electrical stimulation with motor control exercise can improve lumbar multifidus activation in individuals with recurrent low back pain.

ABSTRACT: Motor control exercise (MCE) is commonly prescribed for patients with low back pain. Although MCE can improve clinical outcomes, lumbar multifidus muscle (LM) activation remains unchanged. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) can be used to re-activate motor units prior to MCE which should result in increased LM activation. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the immediate effects of NMES combined with MCE on LM activation and motor performance. Twenty-five participants without low back pain (NoLBP) and 35 participants with movement control impairment (MCI) were recruited. Participants with MCI were further randomized to combined NMES with MCE (COMB) or sham-NMES with MCE (MCE) group. Ultrasound imaging was used to measure LM thickness at rest, maximum voluntary isometric contrac

SUBMITTER: Songjaroen S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8292547 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature