Application of advanced biomechanical methods in studying low back pain – recent development in estimation of lower back loads and large-array surface electromyography and findings
Babak Bazrgari,1 Ting Xia2 1F. Joseph Halcomb III, M.D. Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 2Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research, Palmer College of Chiropractic, Davenport, IA, USA Abstract: Low back pain (LBP) is a major public health problem and the lea...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Dove Medical Press
2017-07-01
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| Series: | Journal of Pain Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.dovepress.com/application-of-advanced-biomechanical-methods-in-studying-low-back-pai-peer-reviewed-article-JPR |
| _version_ | 1831574189983662080 |
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| author | Bazrgari B Xia T |
| author_facet | Bazrgari B Xia T |
| author_sort | Bazrgari B |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Babak Bazrgari,1 Ting Xia2 1F. Joseph Halcomb III, M.D. Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 2Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research, Palmer College of Chiropractic, Davenport, IA, USA Abstract: Low back pain (LBP) is a major public health problem and the leading disabling musculoskeletal disorder globally. A number of biomechanical methods using kinematic, kinetic and/or neuromuscular approaches have been used to study LBP. In this narrative review, we report recent developments in two biomechanical methods: estimation of lower back loads and large-array surface electromyography (LA-SEMG) and the findings associated with LBP. The ability to estimate lower back loads is very important for the prevention and the management of work-related low back injuries based on the mechanical loading model as one category of LBP classification. The methods used for estimation of lower back loads vary from simple rigid link-segment models to sophisticated, optimization-based finite element models. In general, reviewed reports of differences in mechanical loads experienced in lower back tissues between patients with LBP and asymptomatic individuals are not consistent. Such lack of consistency is primarily due to differences in activities under which lower back mechanical loads were investigated as well as heterogeneity of patient populations. The ability to examine trunk neuromuscular behavior is particularly relevant to the motor control model, another category of LBP classification. LA-SEMG not only is noninvasive but also provides spatial resolution within and across muscle groups. Studies using LA-SEMG showed that healthy individuals exhibit highly organized, symmetric back muscle activity patterns, suggesting an orderly recruitment of muscle fibers. In contrast, back muscle activity patterns in LBP patients are asymmetric or multifocal, suggesting lack of orderly muscle recruitment. LA-SEMG was also shown capable of capturing unique back muscle response to manual therapy. In conclusion, estimation of low back load and LA-SEMG techniques demonstrated promising potentials for understanding LBP and treatment effects. Future studies are warranted to fully establish clinical validity of these two biomechanical methods. Keywords: low back pain, low back loads, large-array electromyography, narrative review |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-17T13:58:30Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3bdca668ae354274aa634f684d1e89cc |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1178-7090 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-17T13:58:30Z |
| publishDate | 2017-07-01 |
| publisher | Dove Medical Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Pain Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-3bdca668ae354274aa634f684d1e89cc2022-12-21T21:45:51ZengDove Medical PressJournal of Pain Research1178-70902017-07-01Volume 101677168533810Application of advanced biomechanical methods in studying low back pain – recent development in estimation of lower back loads and large-array surface electromyography and findingsBazrgari BXia TBabak Bazrgari,1 Ting Xia2 1F. Joseph Halcomb III, M.D. Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 2Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research, Palmer College of Chiropractic, Davenport, IA, USA Abstract: Low back pain (LBP) is a major public health problem and the leading disabling musculoskeletal disorder globally. A number of biomechanical methods using kinematic, kinetic and/or neuromuscular approaches have been used to study LBP. In this narrative review, we report recent developments in two biomechanical methods: estimation of lower back loads and large-array surface electromyography (LA-SEMG) and the findings associated with LBP. The ability to estimate lower back loads is very important for the prevention and the management of work-related low back injuries based on the mechanical loading model as one category of LBP classification. The methods used for estimation of lower back loads vary from simple rigid link-segment models to sophisticated, optimization-based finite element models. In general, reviewed reports of differences in mechanical loads experienced in lower back tissues between patients with LBP and asymptomatic individuals are not consistent. Such lack of consistency is primarily due to differences in activities under which lower back mechanical loads were investigated as well as heterogeneity of patient populations. The ability to examine trunk neuromuscular behavior is particularly relevant to the motor control model, another category of LBP classification. LA-SEMG not only is noninvasive but also provides spatial resolution within and across muscle groups. Studies using LA-SEMG showed that healthy individuals exhibit highly organized, symmetric back muscle activity patterns, suggesting an orderly recruitment of muscle fibers. In contrast, back muscle activity patterns in LBP patients are asymmetric or multifocal, suggesting lack of orderly muscle recruitment. LA-SEMG was also shown capable of capturing unique back muscle response to manual therapy. In conclusion, estimation of low back load and LA-SEMG techniques demonstrated promising potentials for understanding LBP and treatment effects. Future studies are warranted to fully establish clinical validity of these two biomechanical methods. Keywords: low back pain, low back loads, large-array electromyography, narrative reviewhttps://www.dovepress.com/application-of-advanced-biomechanical-methods-in-studying-low-back-pai-peer-reviewed-article-JPRLow back painlow back loadslarge-array electromyographynarrative review |
| spellingShingle | Bazrgari B Xia T Application of advanced biomechanical methods in studying low back pain – recent development in estimation of lower back loads and large-array surface electromyography and findings Journal of Pain Research Low back pain low back loads large-array electromyography narrative review |
| title | Application of advanced biomechanical methods in studying low back pain – recent development in estimation of lower back loads and large-array surface electromyography and findings |
| title_full | Application of advanced biomechanical methods in studying low back pain – recent development in estimation of lower back loads and large-array surface electromyography and findings |
| title_fullStr | Application of advanced biomechanical methods in studying low back pain – recent development in estimation of lower back loads and large-array surface electromyography and findings |
| title_full_unstemmed | Application of advanced biomechanical methods in studying low back pain – recent development in estimation of lower back loads and large-array surface electromyography and findings |
| title_short | Application of advanced biomechanical methods in studying low back pain – recent development in estimation of lower back loads and large-array surface electromyography and findings |
| title_sort | application of advanced biomechanical methods in studying low back pain ndash recent development in estimation of lower back loads and large array surface electromyography and findings |
| topic | Low back pain low back loads large-array electromyography narrative review |
| url | https://www.dovepress.com/application-of-advanced-biomechanical-methods-in-studying-low-back-pai-peer-reviewed-article-JPR |
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