Weissenfels Anja, Teschler Marc, Willert Sebastian, Hettchen Michael, Fröhlich Michael, Kleinöder Heinz, Kohl Matthias, von Stengel Simon, Kemmler Wolfgang
Institute of Medical Physics, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany,
Department of Sports Science, University of Kaiserslautern, Kaiserslautern, Germany.
J Pain Res. 2018 Sep 20;11:1949-1957. doi: 10.2147/JPR.S164904. eCollection 2018.
Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most frequent chronic conditions worldwide. Data from a recent meta-analysis indicated that whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS), a time-effective, joint-friendly, and highly individualized training technology, demonstrated promising effects on LBP; however, methodologic limitations prevent definitive evidence for this result. Thus, the aim of this study was to conduct a randomized controlled WB-EMS trial to determine the corresponding effect on chronic, nonspecific LBP in people with chronic LBP.
Thirty LBP patients, 40-70 years old, were randomly assigned into two groups (WB-EMS: 15; control [CG]: 15). While the nonactive CG maintained their lifestyle, the WB-EMS group completed a 12-week WB-EMS protocol (1×20 min/week) with slight movements, specifically dedicated to LBP. Pain intensity and frequency were determined by a 4-week pain diary before and during the last 4 weeks of intervention. Primary study endpoint was average pain intensity at the lumbar spine.
At baseline, no group differences apart from nonregular exercise were observed. Mean intensity of LBP decreased significantly in the WB-EMS group (=0.002) and remained unchanged in the CG (=0.730), with a significant difference between both groups (=0.027). Maximum isometric trunk extensors improved significantly in the WB-EMS group (=0.005), while no significant difference was seen in the CG (=0.683). In contrast to the significant difference between WB-EMS group and CG for the latter parameter (=0.038), no intergroup difference was determined for maximum isometric trunk flexors (=0.091). The WB-EMS group showed a significant increase of this parameter (=0.003), while no significant change was determined in the CG (=0.563).
WB-EMS is a time-effective training method for reducing chronic nonspecific LBP and increasing maximum trunk strength in people with such complaints. After this promising comparison with a nonactive CG, research needs to be extended to include comparisons with active groups (WB-Vibration, conventional back strengthening).
下背痛（LBP）是全球最常见的慢性疾病之一。最近一项荟萃分析的数据表明，全身肌电刺激（WB - EMS）作为一种省时、对关节友好且高度个性化的训练技术，对LBP显示出有前景的效果；然而，方法学上的局限性使得无法为这一结果提供确凿证据。因此，本研究的目的是进行一项随机对照的WB - EMS试验，以确定其对慢性非特异性LBP患者慢性LBP的相应影响。
30名年龄在40 - 70岁的LBP患者被随机分为两组（WB - EMS组：15人；对照组[CG]：15人）。非活动的CG组维持其生活方式，而WB - EMS组完成一个为期12周的WB - EMS方案（每周1次，每次20分钟），伴有轻微运动，专门针对LBP。在干预的最后4周之前和期间，通过为期4周的疼痛日记确定疼痛强度和频率。主要研究终点是腰椎的平均疼痛强度。
在基线时，除了非规律运动外，未观察到组间差异。WB - EMS组的LBP平均强度显著降低（=0.002），而CG组保持不变（=0.730），两组之间存在显著差异（=0.027）。WB - EMS组的最大等长躯干伸展肌显著改善（=0.005），而CG组未见显著差异（=0.683）。与WB - EMS组和CG组在后者参数上的显著差异（=0.038）相反，最大等长躯干屈曲肌未确定组间差异（=0.091）。WB - EMS组该参数显著增加（=0.003），而CG组未确定有显著变化（=0.563）。
WB - EMS是一种省时的训练方法，可减轻慢性非特异性LBP，并增加有此类症状患者的最大躯干力量。在与非活动的CG组进行了这一有前景的比较之后，研究需要扩展，以纳入与活动组（WB - 振动、传统背部强化训练）的比较。
