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Relationship of Lumbar Multifidus Activity, Disability, and Pain During Standing in People With Chronic Low Back
Aftab Ahmed Mirza Baig1, Basit Ansari2, Farhan Ishaque Khan3
1Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Iqra University, North Campus, Karachi, Pakistan.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between pain, disability, and lumbar multifidus activity in people with chronic low back pain while standing.
Methods:
This cross-sectional study included baseline analysis of a randomized controlled trial of 150 patients with chronic low back pain. Pain intensity during standing, disability, and lumbar multifidus activity was assessed using a visual analog scale, the Oswestry Disability Index questionnaire, and surface electromyography, respectively. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the association between lumbar multifidus activity, pain during standing, and disability.
Results:
Lumbar multifidus (LM) activity on the right side did not significantly correlate with pain intensity during standing, except for the left-side percent maximum voluntary contraction of the LM, which showed a significant positive correlation with pain intensity (r = 0.328, P < .001). There was a positive correlation of functional disability with right-side LM activity (r = 0.180, p < .05) and left-side LM activity (r = 0.351, p < .001).
Conclusion:
An increase in lumbar multifidus activity is correlated with increased pain during standing and disability.
