Abstract
Background: Impairments in the lumbar multifidus muscle such as reduced muscle thickness and fat infiltrations are evident in individuals with low back pain. Lumbar stabilization exercises (LSE) with real-time ultrasound imaging (RUSI) biofeedback has been reported to improve preferential activation of as well as retention in the ability to activate of the lumbar multifidus muscle, thus enhancing recovery. However, the effects of using this treatment approach in individuals with nonspecific chronic low back pain (NCLBP) seemed not to have widely reported. The purpose of this study is, therefore, to investigate the effects of LSE with RUSI biofeedback on lumbar multifidus muscle cross-sectional area in individuals with NCLBP patients. Method: This study is a prospective, single-center, assessor-blind three-arm, randomized controlled to be conducted at National Orthopedic Hospital, Kano State, Nigeria. Ninety-one individuals with NCLBP will be randomly assigned into one of the three treatment groups of equal sample size (n = 30); LSE group, LSE with RUSI biofeedback group, or control (minimal intervention). The participants in the LSE and LSE with RUSI biofeedback group will also receive the same intervention as the control group. All participants will receive treatment twice weekly for 8 weeks. The primary outcome will be lumbar multifidus muscles cross-sectional area while the secondary outcomes will be pain, functional disability and quality of life. All outcomes will be assessed at baseline, and at 8 weeks and 3 months post-intervention.Discussion: The outcome of the study may support the evidence for the effectiveness of LSE with RUSI biofeedback in the rehabilitation of individuals with NCLBP. It may also provide a rationale for the physiotherapists to make use of diagnostic ultrasound as a feedback mechanism in enhancing the performance and retention of LSE program as well as monitoring the patient’s recovery.Trial registration: Pan African Clinical Trials Registry, (PACTR201801002980602), Registered on 16 January 2018.
Effect of 12-Week Corrective Training on Lumbar Multifidus Muscle Asymmetry and Pain Intensity in Veterans With One-sided Below-knee Amputation Suffering From Chronic Low Back Pain