The Effects on the Pain Index and Lumbar Flexibility of Obese Patients with Low Back Pain after PNF Scapular and PNF Pelvic Patterns

Abstract

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to determine whether exercises using proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) scapular and pelvic patterns might decrease the pain index and increase the lumbar flexibility of obese patients with low back pain. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty obese patients with low back pain were randomly assigned to an experimetal group (n=15) and a control group (n=15). The exercise program of the experimental group consisted of scapular patterns (anterior depression − posterior elevation) and pelvic patterns (anterior elevation − posterior depression). The control group performed neutral back muscle strengthening exercises. Over the course of four weeks, the groups participated in PNF or performed strengthening exercises for 30 minutes, three times per week. Subjects were assessed a pre-test and post-test using measurements of pain and lumbar flexibility. [Results] The results show that lumbar flexion and lumbar extension significantly improved in the experimental group, had significant improvement and that the Oswestry Disability index (ODI) significantly decreased. However, there were no significant changes in the control group. The experimental group also showed significant differences in the pain index and lumbar flexibility from the control group. [Conclusion] This study showed that PNF can be used to improve pain index rating and lumbar flexibility. The findings indicate that the experimental group experienced greater improvement than the control group by participating in the PNF lumbar stabilization program.

Acute effect of scapular proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) techniques and classic exercises in adhesive capsulitis: a randomized controlled trial

“…The repeated contractions technique increases active range of motion and strength and guides the patient’s motion towards the desired motion. The rest interval between repetitions was 20 seconds 12 , 30 ) .…”

“…The scapula patterns defined in PNF are activated within the upper extremity patterns and scapular motions together 22 ) . The effects of PNF on the shoulder have been investigated in some studies 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 ) . However, no previous study has investigated the effects of scapular PNF exercises in AC rehabilitation.…”

Comparison of lumbar spinal angle between normal body mass index and overweight young adults

“…The lumbar spine in obese individuals becomes hyperlordotic, a risk factor for low back pain and poor posture 4 , 5 , 6 ) . Some researchers have reported that low back pain is associated with the increased body mass index (BMI) 7 , 8 ) .…”

Effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation-based abdominal muscle strengthening training on pulmonary function, pain, and functional disability index in chronic low back pain patients

“… Park and Seo (2014) showed a significant improvement in ODI preintervention and postintervention and in intergroup comparisons in the experimental group of 30 obese men with CLBP who underwent PNF scapular and pelvic patterns 3 times a week for 4 weeks. Park and Wang (2015) conducted KEOMT (Kaltenborn–Evjenth orthopedic manual therapy) and PNF techniques 3 times a week for 4 weeks in CLBP patients and found a significant improvement in ODI before and after the intervention.…”