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Are lumbar multifidus fatigue and transversus abdominis activation similar in patients with lumbar disc herniation and healthy controls? A case control study

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Abstract

Purpose

The aims of this study were to assess lumbar multifidus fatigue (LM) and transversus abdominis activation (TrA) in individuals with lumbar disc herniation associated with low back pain.

Methods

Sixty individuals were divided into the lumbar herniation (LHG, n = 30) and control groups (CG, n = 30). Fatigue of the LM was assessed using surface electromyography during the Sorensen effort test, and activation of the TrA with a pressure biofeedback unit. Pain intensity was determined using a visual analog scale and the McGill pain questionnaire. The Oswestry disability questionnaire and the Borg scale for self-evaluating exertion were used to assess functional disability.

Results

Fatigue was significantly more intense and the TrA activation was insufficient (p < 0.01) in individuals with disc herniation relative to the control group. The LHG had mild functional disability and moderate pain. There were differences in the initial exertion self-evaluation between groups, which were not observed in the final exertion evaluation.

Conclusion

Individuals with lumbar disc herniation associated with low back pain have increased fatigue of the LM and decreased activation of the TrA, when compared to the control group.

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Acknowledgments

This study had the Public Financial Support of: Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), state of Sao Paulo, Brazil.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical Therapy, Speech and Occupational Therapy, School of Medicine of University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil

    Luiz Armando Vidal Ramos, Fábio Jorge Renovato França, Thomaz Nogueira Burke, Maurício Oliveira Magalhães & Amélia Pasqual Marques

  2. Department of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Brazil

    Bianca Callegari

  3. FMUSP, Street Cipotânia, 51, University City, Sao Paulo (SP), 05360-160, Brazil

    Luiz Armando Vidal Ramos

Authors
  1. Luiz Armando Vidal Ramos
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  2. Fábio Jorge Renovato França
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  3. Bianca Callegari
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  4. Thomaz Nogueira Burke
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  5. Maurício Oliveira Magalhães
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Correspondence to Luiz Armando Vidal Ramos.

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Conflict of interest statement

Financial disclosure statements have been obtained, and no conflicts of interest have been reported by the authors or by any of the individuals who are responsible for contents of this article. The Public Financial Support of Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) supported this study. The authors report no conflicts of interest.

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Ramos, L.A.V., França, F.J.R., Callegari, B. et al. Are lumbar multifidus fatigue and transversus abdominis activation similar in patients with lumbar disc herniation and healthy controls? A case control study. Eur Spine J 25, 1435–1442 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-015-4375-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-015-4375-2

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