Spatial Distribution and Asymmetry of Surface Electromyography on Lumbar Muscles of Soldiers with Chronic Low Back Pain

Abstract

This study investigated spatial distribution and asymmetry of surface electromyography on lumbar muscles during a sustained contraction in soldiers with and without chronic low back pain. Twenty healthy soldiers and twenty chronic low back pain (CLBP) soldiers had performed the Sorensen test with a duration of 60 seconds. The corresponding muscle fatigue, spatial distribution, and the asymmetry of muscle activity over bilateral paraspinal lumbar regions were measured by the high-density surface electromyography (HDsEMG). The paired and independent samples t-tests were performed to compare the degree of muscle fatigue and asymmetry. The repeated-measures analyses of variance (ANOVA) were used to compare spatial distribution between groups and muscle fatigue. The baseline characteristics of soldiers between groups were comparable. CLBP soldiers had significantly less muscle fatigue on both sides of erector spinae compared to healthy ones. The spatial distribution was significantly associated with the group factor but independent of muscle fatigue. In addition, the asymmetry of erector spinae activity in the CLBP soldiers was significantly higher than the healthy one. In conclusion, uneven spatial distribution and asymmetry of lumbar muscle activity play significant roles in CLBP patients. The HDsEMG could be used as an objective method in distinguishing the function of the erector spinae between healthy individuals and CLBP patients during 1 min sustained contraction.

Associations between Deformation of the Thoracolumbar Fascia and Activation of the Erector Spinae and Multifidus Muscle in Patients with Acute Low Back Pain and Healthy Controls: A Matched Pair Case-Control Study

“…In addition, the central nervous system has shown correlative changes associated with LBP [19]. Furthermore, electromyographic (EMG) studies revealed significantly different spatial distributions of erector spinae muscle activity between patients with LBP and healthy controls [20,21]. Wilke et al [15] hypothesized that sensitization of nociceptors in the TLF, less refined proprioceptive afferent input, and stimulation of other tissues innervated by the same spinal segment influence each other.…”

The Application of Surface Electromyography Technology in Evaluating Paraspinal Muscle Function

“…Hao et al scrutinized the characteristics of sEMG in lumbar muscles during prolonged contractions in military personnel, both with and without chronic LBP. The study indicated that the non-uniform spatial distribution and asymmetry in lumbar muscle activity constituted noteworthy factors in individuals experiencing chronic LBP [ 101 ]. Zou et al examined the impact of core stability training on the management of nonspecific LBP among nurses, which suggested that core stability training had the potential to ameliorate symptoms, enhance the fatigue resistance of core muscles, and promote the balance of bilateral multifidus muscle function in patients suffering from nonspecific LBP [ 21 ].…”

Associations between Deformation of the Thoracolumbar Fascia and Activation of the Erector Spinae Muscle in Patients with Acute Low Back Pain and Healthy Controls. A Matched Pair Case-Control Study

“…In addition, the central nervous system has shown correlative changes associated with LBP [19]. Furthermore, electromyographic (EMG) studies revealed significantly different spatial distributions of ES activity between patients with LBP and healthy controls [20,21]. Wilke et al [15] hypothesized that sensitization of nociceptors in the TLF, less refined proprioceptive afferent input, and stimulation of other tissues innervated by the same spinal segment influence each other.…”