Change in pain and posture applying isometric exercises with neuromuscular electrical stimulation and relationship between posture, pain and physical activity in patients with chronic low back pain

Dominyka Pumputytė. Change in pain and posture applying isometric exercises with neuromuscular electrical stimulation and relationship between posture, pain and physical activity in patients with chronic low back pain. Master’s thesis. Supervisor PhD Ernesta Gurskienė. Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Medical Academy, Faculty of Nursing, Sports medicine clinic. Kaunas, 2019; 70 p. The aim of research work: To evaluate change in pain and posture applying isometric exercises with neuromuscular electrical stimulation and determine the relationship between posture, pain and physical activity in patients with chronic low back pain. Tasks of work: 1) To evaluate change in pain intensity applying isometric exercises with neuromuscular electrical stimulation and compare according to age and gender; 2) To evaluate change in pain impact on functional activity applying isometric exercises with neuromuscular electrical stimulation and compare according to age and gender; 3) To evaluate change in posture in frontal and sagittal plain applying isometric exercises with neuromuscular electrical stimulation and compare according to age and gender; 4) To determine the relationship between pain, posture and physical activity parameters. Subjects and methods: thirty four subjects who felt chronic low back pain took part in the research (15 male, 19 female). Nineteen subjects were classified as young (10 male, 9 female) and fifteen were middle-aged (5 male, 10 female). Participants were selected using inclusion and exclusion criteria. In pre-treatment evaluation we measured back pain intensity (NRS), pain impact on functional activity (Oswestry disability questionnaire), physical activity (IPAQ) and standing posture (PostureScreen Mobile® program which allowed to evaluate asymmetry of separate parts of the body). Participants received 30 minutes of isometric exercises and neuromuscular electrical stimulation 2 times per week for one month. Then the post-treatment measurements were taken. Conclusions: 1) After applying isometric exercises and electrical stimulation there was a significant decrease in pain intensity in both young and middle-aged subjects; 2) There was a significant decrease of pain impact on subjects functional activity after applying isometric exercises and electrical stimulation; 3) We identified that after applying our program there were significant positive changes in men’s and young subjects’ posture (shoulder and thoracic spine regions); 4) Higher pain intensity and its impact on functional activity is related with greater asymmetry in pelvic and shoulder regions; time spent sitting is related with greater asymmetry in thoracic spine