Institute of Sport Science, Technical University Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany.
Multimedia Communications Lab, Technical University Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany.
PLoS One. 2020 Jul 6;15(7):e0234858. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0234858. eCollection 2020.
Recent literature has indicated altered motor control in individuals with non-specific low back pain (NSLBP). These individuals present variations in back muscular activity and center of mass (CoM) oscillations. The aim of this study is to explore the possibility of quantitatively measuring these differences using standard parameters with electronic devices. Twenty individuals with NSLBP and 20 healthy controls, matched by sex and age, performed a total of three trials under three different conditions for 90 seconds each. These conditions were standing on firm ground with eyes open, with eyes closed and standing on unstable foam with eyes open. Balance data was acquired via a Kistler force platform and muscular activity was measured by electromyography derived bilaterally from the erector spinae. Afterwards, participants were asked to complete a questionnaire on their current mood, pain rating, well-being, disability and physical activity. Descriptive data from the questionnaire showed an average acute pain score of 2.6 and an average pain score of 5.1 for the prior six weeks in the NSLBP group, while the control group reported an acute pain of 0.1 and an average pain of 0.5. For wellbeing, differences were found only for the physical scale. Average disability was low for the NSLBP group. No differences in physical activity were found among groups. A repeated measures ANOVA did not show significant differences between groups for any parameter. There was also no main effect for the standing conditions and no interaction between group and condition. Simultaneously measuring biomechanical and neuromuscular parameters, allowed for a fine grain approach to understanding motor control in individuals with NSLBP. This study did not find differences as described in the literature, and suggests further examination of factors involved in pain and control processes to better understand implications of NSLBP and possible avenues for support.
近期文献表明，非特异性下腰痛（NSLBP）患者的运动控制发生改变。这些患者的背部肌肉活动和质心（CoM）振动出现变化。本研究旨在探索使用电子设备的标准参数定量测量这些差异的可能性。共有 20 名 NSLBP 患者和 20 名健康对照者参与，通过性别和年龄匹配，每组在三种不同条件下各完成三次共 90 秒的测试。这三种条件分别为睁眼站在坚实地面、闭眼站在坚实地面和睁眼站在不稳定泡沫垫上。平衡数据通过 Kistler 力台获取，肌肉活动通过双侧竖脊肌肌电图测量。之后，参与者需要完成一份关于当前情绪、疼痛评分、健康状况、残疾和身体活动的问卷。问卷的描述性数据显示，NSLBP 组参与者的平均急性疼痛评分为 2.6，前六周的平均疼痛评分为 5.1，而对照组参与者的急性疼痛评分为 0.1，平均疼痛评分为 0.5。在健康状况方面，仅身体评分存在差异。NSLBP 组的平均残疾程度较低。组间在身体活动方面无差异。重复测量方差分析显示，各组在任何参数上均无显著差异。站立条件也无主要影响，组间也无交互作用。同时测量生物力学和神经肌肉参数，可以更细致地了解 NSLBP 患者的运动控制。本研究未发现文献中描述的差异，提示进一步检查疼痛和控制过程中涉及的因素，以更好地理解 NSLBP 的含义和可能的支持途径。
