Project description:BackgroundMotor control exercise (MCE) is used by healthcare professionals worldwide as a common treatment for low back pain (LBP). However, the effectiveness of this intervention for acute LBP remains unclear.ObjectivesTo evaluate the effectiveness of MCE for patients with acute non-specific LBP.Search methodsWe searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), four other databases and two trial registers from their inception to April 2015, tracked citations and searched reference lists. We placed no limitations on language nor on publication status.Selection criteriaWe included only randomised controlled trials (RCTs) examining the effectiveness of MCE for patients with acute non-specific LBP. We considered trials comparing MCE versus no treatment, versus another type of treatment or added as a supplement to other interventions. Primary outcomes were pain intensity and disability. Secondary outcomes were function, quality of life and recurrence.Data collection and analysisTwo review authors screened for potentially eligible studies, assessed risk of bias and extracted data. A third independent review author resolved disagreements. We examined MCE in the following comparisons: (1) MCE versus spinal manipulative therapy; (2) MCE versus other exercises; and (3) MCE as a supplement to medical management. We used the GRADE (Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) approach to assess the quality of evidence. For missing or unclear information, we contacted study authors. We considered the following follow-up intervals: short term (less than three months after randomisation); intermediate term (at least three months but within 12 months after randomisation); and long term (12 months or longer after randomisation).Main resultsWe included three trials in this review (n = 197 participants). Study sample sizes ranged from 33 to 123 participants. Low-quality evidence indicates no clinically important differences between MCE and spinal manipulative therapy for pain at short term and for disability at short term and long term. Low-quality evidence also suggests no clinically important differences between MCE and other forms of exercise for pain at short or intermediate term and for disability at intermediate term or long term follow-up. Moderate-quality evidence shows no clinically important differences between MCE and other forms of exercise for disability at short term follow-up. Finally, very low-quality evidence indicates that addition of MCE to medical management does not provide clinically important improvement for pain or disability at short term follow-up. For recurrence at one year, very low-quality evidence suggests that MCE and medical management decrease the risk of recurrence by 64% compared with medical management alone.Authors' conclusionsWe identified only three small trials that also evaluated different comparisons; therefore, no firm conclusions can be drawn on the effectiveness of MCE for acute LBP. Evidence of very low to moderate quality indicates that MCE showed no benefit over spinal manipulative therapy, other forms of exercise or medical treatment in decreasing pain and disability among patients with acute and subacute low back pain. Whether MCE can prevent recurrences of LBP remains uncertain.
Project description:Background: Chronic non-specific low back pain (LBP) poses a major socioeconomic problem, although the mechanisms are not yet clear. Impaired motor control is one of the mechanisms being discussed. Objectives: The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of motor control parameter differences between individuals with and without non-specific LBP during gait. Methods: A literature search on Medline, SportDiscus, PsychInfo, PsychArticels, EMBASE, and Scopus was performed. Twenty-nine articles comparing healthy adults and adults with chronic non-specific LBP in neuromuscular and/or biomechanical parameters during walking or running were examined. Data extraction and quality assessment were independently performed by two persons. Among others, we extracted population, conditions, outcome measures, and results. Results: The results showed that persons with and without non-specific LBP differed in several parameters of motor control, which was indicated by a lower movement amplitude of the pelvis, more in-phase coordination, lower ground reaction forces, higher stride-to-stride variability and a higher activity in ES in the LBP group. Conclusion: Despite no strong evidence for any of the parameters, a combination of biomechanical and neuromuscular parameters provides a conclusive explanation. Impaired motor control during walking is reflected in higher activity of the erector spinae, which leads to a stiffened lumbar-pelvic region. Different acquisition and processing of data renders making comparisons difficult, whereby standards for future research are necessary.
Project description:Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is the most prevalent of the painful musculoskeletal conditions. CLBP is a heterogeneous condition with many causes and diagnoses, but there are few established therapies with strong evidence of effectiveness (or cost effectiveness). CLBP for which it is not possible to identify any specific cause is often referred to as non-specific chronic LBP (NSCLBP). One type of NSCLBP is continuing and recurrent primarily nociceptive CLBP due to vertebral joint overload subsequent to functional instability of the lumbar spine. This condition may occur due to disruption of the motor control system to the key stabilizing muscles in the lumbar spine, particularly the lumbar multifidus muscle (MF).This review presents the evidence for MF involvement in CLBP, mechanisms of action of disruption of control of the MF, and options for restoring control of the MF as a treatment for NSCLBP.Imaging assessment of motor control dysfunction of the MF in individual patients is fraught with difficulty. MRI or ultrasound imaging techniques, while reliable, have limited diagnostic or predictive utility. For some patients, restoration of motor control to the MF with specific exercises can be effective, but population results are not persuasive since most patients are unable to voluntarily contract the MF and may be inhibited from doing so due to arthrogenic muscle inhibition.Targeting MF control with restorative neurostimulation promises a new treatment option.
Project description:BACKGROUND:For many years, low back pain has been both the leading cause of days lost from work and the leading indication for medical rehabilitation. The goal of the German Disease Management Guideline (NDMG) on nonspecific low back pain is to improve the treatment of patients with this condition. METHODS:The current update of the NDMG on non-specific low back pain is based on articles retrieved by a systematic search of the literature for systematic reviews. Its recommendations for diagnosis and treatment were developed by a collaborative effort of 29 scientific medical societies and organizations and approved in a formal consensus process. RESULTS:If the history and physical examination do not arouse any suspicion of a dangerous underlying cause, no further diagnostic evaluation is indicated for the time being. Passive, reactive measures should be taken only in combination with activating measures, or not at all. When drugs are used for symptomatic treatment, patients should be treated with the most suitable drug in the lowest possible dose and for as short a time as possible. CONCLUSION:A physician should be in charge of the overall care process. The patient should be kept well informed over the entire course of his or her illness and should be encouraged to adopt a healthful lifestyle, including regular physical exercise.
Project description:Study designProspective single-center observational study.ObjectiveTo investigate the effects and limitations of self-motor-control exercise in patients with chronic low back pain.Summary of background dataAlthough exercise therapy and physical therapy have been shown to be effective in treating chronic low back pain, these therapies are often discontinued due to patients' non-compliance, and their effectiveness cannot be fully demonstrated.MethodsFifteen patients with low back pain, no apparent organic disease, who had been symptomatic for at least three months, and could continue motor-control exercise at home for at least six months were included in the study. Low back pain (visual analog scale [VAS]), locomotor 25, stand-up test, two-step test, trunk and total body muscle mass by the impedance method, and spinal sagittal alignment were examined before the intervention to establish a baseline, and at two and six months after the intervention.ResultSignificant improvement was observed in the back pain VAS (p<0.01), stand-up test (p = 0.03), two-step test (p = 0.01), and locomotor 25 (p = 0.04) before and after the intervention. In contrast, there were no significant changes in muscle mass and sagittal alignment. The effect of long-term exercise was more pronounced in patients without spinal deformity.ConclusionsSelf-exercise for patients with chronic low back pain was effective in improving pain and function, although it did not directly affect muscle mass or alignment. Moreover, strength training of the lumbar back muscles alone was not found to be effective in patients with spinal deformities.
Project description:BackgroundAmong the most effective therapeutic interventions in non-specific chronic low back pain, clinical practice guidelines highlight exercise therapy and patient education. However, the variability in the type of exercise and its dosage means that there is no clear evidence regarding the most optimal form of therapeutic exercise.AimThe main objective of this study was to ascertain the effects produced by two different exercise interventions (supervised exercise therapy and laser-guided exercise therapy) and pain neuroscience education on postural control measured by the displacement center of pressure (CoP) and energy spectral density (ESD) in subjects with non-specific chronic low back pain.DesignThis is a single-blinded randomized clinical comparative controlled trial.SettingThe study was carried out in different private physiotherapy care centers.PopulationWe enrolled 60 subjects with non-specific chronic low back pain of at least 3-month duration, aged 18-45 years.MethodsBoth groups performed a total of 16 therapeutic exercise sessions and 8 pain neuroscience education sessions, with the laser-guided exercise therapy group performing laser-guided exercises. The main outcome measures evaluated were ESD and displacement of CoP measured at 3 different times (baseline, post-treatment, and 3 month follow-up).ResultsThe most important differences for ESD and displacement of CoP variables were obtained for eyes open, unstable surface anteroposterior axis (F(2,92)=7.36, P=0.001, d=0.71) and eyes closed, stable surface mediolateral axis (F(2,92)=3.24, P<0.001, d=0.76). Further, time × group interactions showed significant statistical differences in both cases as well as significant differences between baseline and 3 month's follow-up.ConclusionsBoth exercise modalities (supervised exercise therapy and laser-guided exercise therapy) showed changes in variables related to postural control (displacement of CoP and ESD). However, the laser-guided exercise therapy program showed greater improvements in ESD.Clinical rehabilitation impactAnalysis of a new approach for the quantification of data obtained from postural control assessment relying on widely used devices (accelerometers and pressure platforms).
Project description:Chronic non-specific low back pain (CNLBP) is one of the most common health problems worldwide. According to the clinical guideline released by the American College of Physicians, exercise has been recommended for the treatment of chronic LBP. In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is becoming increasingly popular for the management of chronic LBP. Baduanjin exercise is one of the exercise therapies in TCM. N-of-1 trial is a randomised cross-over self-controlled trial suitable for patients with this chronic disease. A series of similar N-of-1 trials can be pooled to estimate the overall and individual therapeutic effects synchronously by hierarchical Bayesian analysis. And N-of-1 trials are considered as a good tool for evaluating the therapeutic effect of TCM. Therefore, this study aims to conduct a series of N-of-1 trials with hierarchical Bayesian analysis for assessing whether Baduanjin exercise is effective and safe for CNLBP. This study conducts a series of N-of-1 trials on Baduanjin exercise for the management of CNLBP. Fifty participants will receive 1-3 treatment cycles. They will be randomised into a Baduanjin exercise or waiting list group for a week during the two periods of each treatment cycle. The primary outcome is the 10-point Visual Analogue Scale. The secondary outcomes include the Oswestry Disability Index, the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire and the Short Form Health Survey 12. Statistical analysis will be conducted with WinBUGS V.1.4.3 software. Overall and individual therapeutic effects will be estimated synchronously by hierarchical Bayesian analysis. This study is approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Tianjin University of TCM (reference number TJUTCM-EC20220005). Our findings will be published in a peer-reviewed journal or international conference. ChiCTR2200063307.