Health TrialsbyHealthPanel

Changing Trunk Muscle Activation in Patients With Recurrent Low Back Pain in Remission

ConditionsRecurrent Low Back PainRemission
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18-65
SponsorUniversity Ghent

About this trial

The first aim of the study is to investigate the effects of a single therapy session on trunk muscle activation and lumbopelvic sensorimotor control in persons with recurrent low back pain in remission.

The second aim of the study is to examine the convergent validity of (in)voluntary multifidus activation by means of inspection and palpation during two clinically assessed lumbopelvic sensorimotor control tests in persons with recurrent low back pain in remission. The convergent validity will be examined by calculating the relationship between (1) the clinical score of (in)voluntary multifidus activation, (2) back muscle activation during the same tests measured simultaneously with electromyography and (3) trunk muscle activation during other functional movements measured with electromyography.

The third aim of the study is to investigate the convergent validity of a left-right discrimination test by calculating the relationship between (1) the left-right discrimination test, (2) position-reposition test, (3) the Fremantle Back Awareness Questionnaire and (4) the Photograph Series of Daily Activities Scale.

Eligibility criteria

This trial does not accept healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

People between 18-65 years old

At least 2 episodes of LBP/year, with an 'episode' implying pain lasting a minimum of 24 hours which is preceded and followed by at least 1 month without LBP

Minimum LBP intensity during episodes should be ≥2/10 on a numeric rating scale (NRS) from 0 to 10

During remission the NRS intensity for LBP should be 0-1/10.

Disqualifiers

People <18 years old or >65 years old

Having any other type of non-specific LBP (acute, subacute, chronic).

Having an active extension movement pattern

Having any type of blood clotting disorder

Trial design

Design model

Parallel

Treatments tested in this trial

  • Specific sensorimotor control training

    Behavioral

    Participants allocated to the specific motor control group will receive sensorimotor training of the multifidus muscle.

  • Aspecific extension training

    Behavioral

    Participants allocated to the aspecific group will receive spinal extension exercises.

  • Fascia training

    Behavioral

    Participants allocated to the fascia group will receive general movement exercises.

Treatment groups

55 Participants
are divided into 3 treatment groups
Group A: Specific sensorimotor control trainingExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group B: Aspecific extension trainingActive comparator 1 intervention
Group C: Fascia trainingExperimental treatment 1 intervention

Trial outcomes

Primary outcomes

1

Trunk muscle onset during the rapid arm movement test

Trunk muscle onset latencies in response to the unilateral rapid arm movement test will be measured by means of electromyography.

Time frame
Baseline
2

Trunk muscle onset during the rapid arm movement test

Trunk muscle onset latencies in response to the unilateral rapid arm movement test will be measured by means of electromyography.

Time frame
Immediately after therapy

Secondary outcomes

1

Trunk muscle (co-)activation

The participant sits on a stool and holds a horizontal bar with both hands, shoulders at 90 degrees (arms are horizontal). The horizontal bar is secured to the ground using a rope and weights. The participant pushes the horizontal bar upwards without moving the arms, pelvis, or spine. The activation of the back and abdominal muscles will be further investigated.

Time frame
Baseline
2

Trunk muscle (co-)activation

The participant sits on a stool and holds a horizontal bar with both hands, shoulders at 90 degrees (arms are horizontal). The horizontal bar is secured to the ground using a rope and weights. The participant pushes the horizontal bar upwards without moving the arms, pelvis, or spine. The activation of the back and abdominal muscles will be further investigated.

Time frame
Immediately after therapy
3

Back muscle activation

Back muscle activation will be analyzed during (1) bilateral reaching in standing position, (2) bilateral reaching starting in neutral sitting position, and (3) bilateral reaching starting in habitual sitting position.

Time frame
Baseline
4

Back muscle activation

Back muscle activation will be analyzed during (1) bilateral reaching in standing position, (2) bilateral reaching starting in neutral sitting position, and (3) bilateral reaching starting in habitual sitting position.

Time frame
Immediately after therapy

Other outcomes

Sponsors and contacts

Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.

University Ghent

Lead sponsor

VZW Educatieve Lichaamsbeweging

Collaborator

Source ClinicalTrials.gov
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