BackgroundTo investigate the effect of lumbar and sacroiliac joint (SIJ) manipulation on pain and functional disability in patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH) concomitant with SIJ hypomobility.MethodsTwenty patients aged between 20 and 50 years with MRI-confirmed LDH who also had SIJ hypomobility participated in the trial in 2010. Patients who had sequestrated disc herniation were excluded. All patients received five sessions of spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) for the SIJ and lumbar spine during a 2-week period. Back and leg pain intensity and functional disability level were measured with a numerical rating scale (NRS) and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) at baseline, immediately after the 5th session, and 1 month after baseline.ResultsA significantly greater mean improvement in back and leg pain was observed in the 5th sessions and 1 month after SMT. Mean changes in ODI in the 5th session and 1 month after treatment also showed significant improvement. The MCIC for NRS and ODI scores in the present study were considered 20 and 6 points, respectively. Therefore, the mentioned improvements were not clinically significant in the 5th session or at 1-month follow-up.ConclusionFive sessions of lumbar and SIJ manipulation can potentially improve pain and functional disability in patients with MRI-confirmed LDH and concomitant SIJ hypomobility.Trial registrationIrct.ir (Identifier: IRCT2017011924149N33), registered 19 February 2017 (retrospectively registered).

Objective Core muscle dysfunction might serve as a risk factor for future musculoskeletal dysfunctions considering the high percentages of adults employed in mainly sedentary occupations in Iran, there is a need to clarify the strength of evidence on the potentially deleterious impact of prolonged sitting at work on the biomechanics of core/trunk muscles. This study aims to evaluate trunk/core muscle endurance in employees of seated and non-seated jobs in Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. Method A total number of 100 employees of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (SUMS) were studied in 2 groups, seated jobs (n=50) and non-seated jobs (n=50). Seated jobs (office employees) defined as the jobs’ nature requiring the employees to sit more than half of their work time in a day, whereas non-seated jobs were those requiring less than half a workday to sit. Trunk endurance time measured by the 4 different stabilization tests including McGill’s trunk flexor endurance test, Sorenson’s trunk extensor endurance test and right and left trunk lateral flexor endurance test (Side-Bridge test). Results Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS software version 21 (SPSS, Chicago, IL) Independent t test was used individuals in non-seated group had a statistically significant higher trunk endurance time for all 4 static tests (all P-values<0.001). Conclusion Prolonged occupational sitting is associated with reduced core muscle endurance. It may cause relationship between weakened core/trunk muscles and development of specific occupational musculoskeletal dysfunctions such as low back pain.

Introduction. developments in modern technology in occupational settings have resulted in prolonged sitting at the workplace. Prolonged sedentarism may cause musculoskeletal complications and impaired balance. The present study aimed to evaluate balance in employees working in a seated position for more than half of their working day compared with employees working in a non-seated position. Methods. overall, 100 employees entered the study and were divided into the seated (n = 50) and non-seated (n = 50) groups. The star excursion balance test was used to measure dynamic balance in the lower extremities. independent t-tests were applied for between-group comparisons. Results. The star excursion balance test scores were significantly lower in the seated position group compared with the non-seated position group. Conclusions. We conclude that dynamic stability is lower in employees working in a seated position compared with their non-seated counterparts.