To investigate the effect of core stability training on nonspecific low back pain (NSLBP) in nurses. The data were collected retrospectively by reviewing the patient's medical records and pain questionnaires in our rehabilitation center. A total of 40 nurses with NSLBP were included and divided into observation group and control group. Each group were given routine health education for NSLBP. Core stability training was performed in observation group for 4 weeks. Surface electromyography (sEMG) evaluation of erector spine and multifidus muscle, pain Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores were evaluated and analyzed before and 4 weeks after intervention. There was no significant difference of NRS score and JOA score between two groups before intervention ( P > .05, respectively). The NRS and JOA scores were significantly improved in both two groups after 4 weeks of intervention ( P < .05, respectively). Moreover, the improvement of NRS and JOA scores in the observation group were better than those of the control group ( P < .05, respectively). No significant difference of average electromyography (AEMG) or median frequency (MF) were noted between the healthy side and the affected side in both groups before or after intervention ( P > .05, respectively). After 4 weeks of intervention, the AEMG of the healthy and the affected side of the two groups showed an improved trend without significant difference ( P > .05, respectively). The MF of affected side was significantly higher 4 weeks after intervention than those before treatment in the observation and control group ( P < .05, respectively). Core stability training can alleviate pain, improve the fatigue resistance of the core muscles and the balance of the functions of bilateral multifidus muscles in nurses with NSLBP.

ObjectiveMirror movements (MMs) are common abnormal motor performance in patients with poststroke hemiparesis. The study aimed to utilize the Electromyography (EMG) characterization of MMs in stroke patients and explore the relationship between MMs and the motor function of affected limbs.MethodsSixty patients with stroke who had used to undergo clinical assessment and surface Electromyography (sEMG) were selected in this study. We investigated the standardized net excitation (SNE) and overflow percentage (OF) as a measure of mirror activities on bilateral muscles of stroke patients.ResultsIn stroke patients, mirror activities occurred in both affected and unaffected muscles during maximal contractions. We found that OF at unilateral contraction on the affected side (UCA) was significantly greater than that at unilateral contraction on the unaffected side (UCU). Additionally, a negative correlation between OF at UCA and Brunnstrom stages on admission and discharge. However, there were no significant correlations between OF and disease duration, Barthel Index, or the degree of improvement in all clinical evaluations. We still found a positive correlation between SNE at UCA and the improvement of the Brunnstrom stage of the hand. But we could not find any significant correlation between SNE and other clinical evaluation scores.ConclusionIn conclusion, the study found mirror activities in both affected and unaffected muscles, confirming an asymmetry between them. Although the mechanisms are still unclear, we confirmed a significant correlation between MMs at UCA and the motor function of the affected upper extremity, which might provide further evidences for understanding MMs in stroke patients and a new research direction on evaluation for motor function and outcomes of stroke patients.