Background: Bird dog exercise (BDE) is one of the lumbar stabilization exercises that rehabilitate low back pain by co-contraction of the local and global muscles. Previous studies have reported the effect of various type of BDEs (for example, practicing the exercises on various surfaces and changing the limb movement) for muscle co-contraction. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the effect of knee joint flexion position of the raised lower limb on abdominal and back muscle activity during BDE in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP). Methods: Thirteen males participated in this study (age: 32.54 ± 4.48 years, height: 177.38 ± 7.17 cm). Surface electromyographic (SEMG) data of the internal abdominal oblique (IO), external abdominal oblique (EO), lumbar multifidus (MF), and thoracic part of the iliocostalis lumborum (ICLT) were collected in two knee joint flexion positions (90° flexion versus 0° flexion) during BDE. The SEMG data were expressed as a percentage of root mean square mean values obtained in the maximal voluntary isometric contraction. Results: Greater muscle activity of the IO (p = 0.001), MF (p = 0.009), and ICLT (p = 0.021) of the raised lower limb side and the EO (p = 0.001) and MF (p = 0.009) of the contralateral side were demonstrated in the knee joint flexion position compared to the knee joint extension position. Greater local/global activity ratios of the abdominal muscle (i.e., IO and EO) of the raised lower limb (p = 0.002) and the back muscle (i.e., MF and ICLT) of the contralateral side (p = 0.028) were also noted in the knee joint flexion position. Conclusion: BDE with a knee joint flexion position might be recommended as an alternative lumbar stabilization exercise to enhance muscle activity in both the raised lower limb and the contralateral sides of the trunk for individuals with CLBP

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of lumbar stabilization and sling exercise on visual analogue scale (VAS), Korean Oswestry Disability Index (KODI), and stability index (ST) in patients with chronic lower back pain (CLBP). This study included participants with a VAS scale of 6 or higher and a KOD of 20-40%. They were randomly divided into a mat group (n=15) to perform lumbar stabilization exercises and a sling group (n=15) to perform sling exercises, and then they underwent a four-week experiment. The experimental results of this study were as follows: the VAS and KODI showed a statistically significant difference (P<.05) and a larger effect size within each group after the intervention, it exhibited no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P>.05). There were significant differences in ST before and after intervention in each group (P<.05), however there was no significant difference between the groups. The present study suggest that the effects of lumbar stabilization exercise and sling exercise are similar.

The Purpose of this study was to determine the effects of sciatic nerve mobilization on pain and lower back muscle strength in female patients in their 40s who have been diagnosed with lumbar radiculopathy. Using a simple blinded method, 20 female patients with neuropathy in the nerve segments between L4-S1 were randomly divided into one group (n=10) that would undergo sciatic nerve mobilization, and another group (n=10) that would perform lower back segment stabilization exercises. The two groups attended 3 sessions per week, with each session taking 30 minutes, for a duration of 4 weeks. In the preliminary examinations, the pain index as well as the isometric muscle strength of the lower back extensor and flexor muscles were measured. After the passing of 4 weeks. The same method of measurement was used for the concluding examinations. Comparison of the pain indices in the two groups revealed that they both experienced a statistically significant decrease, and further inspection revealed that the there was a more substantial difference in the sciatic nerve mobilization group. Results of comparing changes in the Isometric Muscle Strength lower back muscle and bending muscle by group, In comparison between groups, the isometric strength of the lower back extensor showed a more significant difference in the sciatic nerve mobilization group (p <.05). Conclulsion, it can be inferred that application of sciatic nerve mobilization has a positive effect on the pain index and isometric muscle strength of the lower back in female patients with lumbar radiculopathy in their 40s.

목적 : 본 연구는 만성 요통 클라이언트의 건강관리 방법으로서 가상현실공간훈련이 신체적 측면에서 균형 능력, 심리적 측면에서 신체적 자기효능감과 생활만족도, 그리고 통증에 미치는 영향을 알아보고자 하였다. 연구방법 : 연구자는 균형 능력에 미치는 영향을 회기별로 알아보기 위하여 개별실험 연구방법을 사용하였고, 균형능력, 신체적 자기효능감, 생활만족도, 통증의 훈련 전과 후에 변화를 비교하기 위하여 사전 사후 집단실험 연구방법을 사용하였다. 연구에 참여한 대상자는 총 8명이었고, 연구대상자는 매회기 Nintendo Wii Sports 프로그램에서 세 개의 활동을 스스로 선택하여 운동하였으며, 1회기 총 운동 시간은 45분이었고, 1주일에 3회 수행하였다. 평가자는 기초선에서 클라이언트의 균형 능력과 통증을 측정하였고, 치료선에서 매회기 통증을 훈련 전에, 균형 능력을 훈련 종료 후에 측정하였다. 또한 평가자는 신체적 자기효능감과 생활만족도를 기초선 시작 전과 치료선 종료 후에 측정하였다. 결과 : 만성 요통 클라이언트의 균형 능력은 연구 대상자 두 명의 오른발 서기를 제외하고 치료선에서 기초선에 비하여 유지되거나 향상되었다. 훈련 전후 비교 시 신체적 자기효능감과 생활만족도는 통계학적으로 유의하게 증가하였으나, 통증지수의 유의한 감소는 없었다. 결론 : 본 연구는 Nintendo Wii Sports가 만성 요통 클라이언트의 균형 능력, 신체적 자기효능감, 생활만족도를 유지 혹은 개선시키기 위한 새로운 건강관리 방법으로서 사용될 수 있는 가능성을 제시하였다.

This study was designed to determine the efficacy of ultrasound and laser therapy for sub-acute lower back pain. Twenty-seven patients with sub-acute low back pain were recruited, who were randomly assigned to three groups: Ultrasound group (actual ultrasound, 1.1 MHz, , duty cycle 100%, 10 min/session, n=9), laser group (actual laser, 904 nm, 155 ns, 13.5 W, 12 mW, 90 sec/point, n=9), and control group (placebo ultrasound or placebo laser, n=9). All of treatments including placebo procedures were applied to patients over a period of 2 weeks, five times a week. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Modified Schober's Test (MST), and Modified Oswestry Disability Questionnaire (MODQ) were used by the clinical and functional evaluations before and after intervention. At post-hoc, significant differences were observed in all groups with respect to VAS, MST (p<.05), except MODQ. VAS and MST score were more significantly improved in the ultrasound group than the laser and control group (p<.0167). However, no significant difference was present between the laser group and the control group. Therefore, this study revealed that ultrasound therapy was effective in pain relief and improvement of lumbar mobility in patients with sub-acute lower back pain. However, laser therapy did not show the effects for sub-acute lower back pain.

Measures of radiographic pelvic and spinal parameters of sagittal balance analysis have become of considerable importance for reconstructive surgery of the spine, particularly in cases of degenerative spondylolisthesis. The authors conducted a retrospective study of clinical outcomes and a radiological review on 231 patients with one or two level degenerative spondylolisthesis. First, patients were classified using preoperative pelvic parameters and evaluations were conducted using mean values of pre- and postoperative spinopelvic parameters. Second, patients were divided into two study groups, that is, Group A (n=105; exhibited no improvement (increase or no change) in pelvic tilt postoperatively) and Group B (n=126; exhibited pelvic tilt improvement (decrease) postoperatively). Clinical outcomes in the two groups were compared using Visual Analogue Pain Scores (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI). All preoperative pelvic parameters show restoration tendency after PLIF surgery for spondylolisthesis, and greater deviations of preoperative pelvic parameters from normality showed greater recovery postoperatively. VAS and ODI improvements at follow-up were poorer in group A than in group B.

앉은 자세를 장시간 유지하면 허리의 만곡에 변화가 오면서 통증이 발생하게 된다. 본 연구에서는 양반 앉은자세에 서 SPINE-GUARD(허리 안정화 벨트) 착용이 허리뼈의 코브각과 허리통증 그리고 몸통 굽힘각도의 변화에 미치는 영 향에 대해 알아보았다. 대상자 15명(남자)은 2주 동안 주 5회 매회 90분씩 벨트를 착용한 채로 영화를 감상하거나 강 의를 들었다. 허리뼈의 코브각은 착용전 48.36±14.57에서 착용후 28.09±11.63로 유의한 감소를 보였다(p<0.05). 통 증은 착용전 4.53±2.36이고, 착용후 2.733±2.153로 유의하게 감소하였다(p<0.05). 몸통의 굽힘각도 또한 착용전 82.33±20.30에서 착용 후 70.2±19.43로 유의한 감소를 보였다(p<0.05). 이것으로 보아 SPINE-GUARD의 착용은 허리뼈의 코브각 및 몸통굽힘각도의 변화 그리고 통증의 감소에 영향을 주는 것으로 사료된다.