Publication: Combined neuromuscular electrical stimulation with motor control exercise can improve lumbar multifidus activation in individuals with recurrent low back pain
Issued Date
2021-12-01
Resource Type
ISSN
20452322
Other identifier(s)
2-s2.0-85110997943
Rights
Mahidol University
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Scientific Reports. Vol.11, No.1 (2021)
Suggested Citation
Sranya Songjaroen, Panakorn Sungnak, Pagamas Piriyaprasarth, Hsing Kuo Wang, James J. Laskin, Peemongkon Wattananon Combined neuromuscular electrical stimulation with motor control exercise can improve lumbar multifidus activation in individuals with recurrent low back pain. Scientific Reports. Vol.11, No.1 (2021). doi:10.1038/s41598-021-94402-2 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/79226
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Authors
Journal Issue
Thesis
Title
Combined neuromuscular electrical stimulation with motor control exercise can improve lumbar multifidus activation in individuals with recurrent low back pain
Other Contributor(s)
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 contraction (MVIC), and NMES with MVIC. These data were used to calculate LM activation. Quadruped rocking backward was used to represent motor performance. LM activation and motor performance were measured at baseline and after one-session of intervention. Results showed that both COMB and MCE groups had significantly lower (P < 0.05) LM activation compared with NoLBP group at baseline. Additionally, both COMB and MCE groups demonstrated significant improvement (P < 0.05) in motor performance while COMB group demonstrated significantly greater improvement (P < 0.05) in LM activation compared with MCE group. Individuals with MCI still have persisting LM activation deficit. Our key findings suggest that combined NMES and MCE may have better ability to improve LM activation in individuals with MCI. These findings would support the utility of NMES to induce a priming effect before MCE.