A study on the paraspinal muscle surface electromyography in acute nonspecific lower back pain

Abstract

Aim of this study was to determine if surface electromyography (sEMG) could provide objective data in monitoring the alteration of signal amplitude of myoelectric activity of the paraspinal muscles in the patients with acute nonspecific lower back pain (ANLBP), and to explore the correlation between sEMG data and symptom relief in the ANLBP patients before and after massage therapy. Forty-five ANLBP patients and 20 healthy subjects were enrolled into this study. Patients were given massage therapy for 1 week. The average electromyography (AEMG), visual analogue scale (VAS), and distance of finger to floor (DFTF) were measured before and after treatment. AEMG at flexion and maintained flexion positions were significantly higher in the ANLBP group compared to that in the control group. At extension position, in contrast, AEMG was significantly lower in the ANLBP patients than that of control group, and there was no significant difference between the 2 groups at upright position. After massage therapy for the ANLBP patients, AEMG was significantly reduced at flexion and maintained flexion positions, but significantly increased at extension position than that before treatment. VAS and DFTF were also significantly reduced after treatment. In addition, AEMG alteration at maintained flexion position was significantly correlated with improvement of VAS or DFTF. Myoelectric activity of the paraspinal muscles in the ANLBP patients was different from that of healthy subjects. Massage therapy not only relived patients’ symptoms, but also normalized myoelectric activity of the paraspinal muscles in the ANLBP patients.

Preventing the progression of text neck in a young man: A case report

“…When the neck is in flexion position, the paraspinal muscles act as antagonistic muscles to maintain compliance of the posture, which results in increased myoelectric activity [12] . Surface electromyography (sEMG) is a reliable technique to evaluate muscle activity.…”

An Observational Study on Gluteal Muscle Surface Electromyography and Physical Activity in Male Adults with Non-Specific Low Back Pain

“…These kinematics are disturbed if there is any imbalances in the hip abductors and rotators specifically the Gluteus Maximus and Gluteus Medius. The weakness of these muscles will result in the change in the gait cycle and can cause an increase in low back pain and hip pain in walking [14].…”

Analysis of the Muscular Activity, Peak Torque in the Lower Limbs, and Static Balance after Virtual Rehabilitation in Women with Fibromyalgia: A Randomized Controlled Study

“…14 Surface electromyography (SEMG) was captured from selected muscles: medialis gastrocnemius muscle, lateralis gastrocnemius muscle, right and left anterior tibial muscle, 25 left upper trapezius, right upper trapezius, 26 right paraspinal muscles, and left paraspinal muscles. 27 The skin of all of the evaluated muscles was cleaned with cotton and alcohol 70%, and a pair of self-adhesive disposable Meditrace surface electrodes were placed on the muscles according to the European recommendations for surface electromyography (SENIAM). The electrodes were circular Ag/AgCl, active type, and bipolar, with a distance between electrodes of 2 cm differential and a ratio of common-mode rejection of -80 dB.…”