The effects of Gyrotonic expansion system exercise and trunk stability exercise on muscle activity and lumbar stability for the subjects with chronic low back pain

Abstract

The Gyrotonic expansion system comprises three-dimensional (3D) spinal motion that not only improves functional spinal motion but also increases muscular strength and flexibility around the spine. This study aimed to demonstrate the clinical effect of Gyrotonic exercise on patients with chronic low back pain by comparing between Gyrotonic and trunk stability exercises. This study included 26 subjects with chronic low back pain patients and who were randomly assigned to the Gyrotonic exercise group or trunk stability exercise group. Each group performed their exercises 3 times a week for 4 weeks. All subjects were measured before and after the exercise for muscles activity of the erector spinae (ES), rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), and internal oblique (IO) using surface electromyography. Lumbar stability was measured using a 3D spine tester, and functional disability was measured using the Korean Oswestry disability index. In the Gyrotonic exercise group, ES and EO muscle activity significantly increased (P<0.05). In the trunk stability exercise group, ES, EO, and RA muscle activity significantly increased (P<0.05). No differences in muscle activity were found between the groups. Both groups showed significant improvements in lumbar stability and functional disability but no significant differences were noted between the groups. Gyrotonic exercise and trunk stability exercise are encouraged owing to their positive effects on muscle activity, lumbar stability, and functional ability in patients with chronic low back pain. We suggest that Gyrotonic exercise is one of the effective exercise for mitigating chronic low back pain caused by spinal instability.

Dose-response-relationship of stabilisation exercises in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain: a systematic review with meta-regression

“…All interventions and the comparators are described. The stabilisation exercises are called core stability exercise 25 , 27 , 30 – 32 , 47 , 51 , 54 , 61 – 63 , 69 , motor control exercise 24 , 35 , 38 , 44 , 45 , 48 , 50 , stabilisation 23 , 26 , 28 , 34 , 41 , 52 , 55 , 60 , lumbar stabilisation exercise 39 , 46 , 56 , 64 , 67 , spinal stabilisation 33 , 37 , 68 , sensorimotor training 66 , 71 , trunk stability exercise 49 , 58 , Swiss ball stabilisation 43 , 65 , 70 , perturbation training 29 , sling training 53 , McGill stabilisation exercise 40 , 57 , segmental stabilisation exercise 36 , neuromuscular exercise 22 , multifidus muscle retraining 59 and Pilates-based exercise 42 . The intervention period ranged between 2 69 and 24 22 weeks with a mean of 7.0 ± 3.3 weeks.…”

“…Training frequency ranged from 1 29 to 12 53 times per week with a mean of 3.1 ± 1.8 times; 3 studies 24 , 55 , 63 did not report on this information. Mean training time per session was 44.6 ± 18.0 min with a range from 15 24 to 90 minutes 29 , 33 (9 studies 35 , 47 49 , 54 , 62 , 63 , 65 , 67 , 68 did not report on this aspect). The number of exercises practised per session varied between 2 35 , 47 , 49 , 54 , 62 , 63 , 65 , 67 , 68 to 18 29 exercises with a mean of 7.2 ± 3.9 exercises; 13 studies 30 , 32 , 35 , 37 , 40 , 44 , 48 , 50 , 52 , 53 , 56 , 58 did not report this information.…”

“…Exercises involved training to modify pain provocative postures and movement patterns in order to decrease pain while performing the task No further, both groups SE 4 2 45 3 15–30 60 – 120; 300 Stabilization exercise N.A. : Exercises involved coordinated training and independent activity of deep trunk muscles including transversus abdominis and multifidus in pain-free positions and movements No further, both groups SE 4 2 45 3 15–30 60 – 120; 300 Seo, 2019 49 Trunk stability exercise 16: nine movements of mat-based trunk stability exercises and seven movements of Swiss ball trunk stability exercises Gyrotonic exercise 4 3 N.A: N.A N.A N.A. ; N.A Shamsi*, 2017 50 MCE N.A.…”

“…Mean training time per session was 44.6 ± 18.0 min with a range from 15 24 to 90 minutes 29,33 (9 studies 35,4749,54,62,63,65,67,68 did not report on this aspect). The number of exercises practised per session varied between 2 35,47,49,54,62,63,65,67,68 to 18 29 exercises with a mean of 7.2 ± 3.9 exercises; 13 studies 30,32,35,37,40,44,48,50,52,53,56,58 did not report this information.…”

“…The qualitative analysis of the training volume revealed a range of 1 30,32,35,37,40,44,48,50,52,53,56,58,70 to 10 24,44,46,59,60 sets per exercise practiced with a mean of 3.2 ± 2.4 sets, while 28 22,25,28,[30][31][32][33][34][35][38][39][40][41]43,45,[49][50][51]53,54,56,58,63,[67][68][69][70][71] studies did not report any details on this aspect. In addition to this, only 23 22,25,28,[30][31]…”