Analysis of the timing of electromyographic activity of the spine stabilizer muscles during different daily activities of patients with low-back pain as compared with that of healthy participants

Low-back pain is among the most prevalent musculoskeletal disorders in many societies. The purpose of this study was to examine and compare the timing of electromyographic activity of the spine stabilizer muscles during daily activities in patients with low-back pain and healthy participants.

24 male participants ranging from 30 to 55 years of age were selected and fallen into two categories with chronic low-back pain and healthy. Levels of electromyographic activity of the lumbar erector spine, thoracic erector spine, Gluteus Maximus, Transversus abdominis and Multifidus muscles were measured for the actions like standing up and lifting objects.

Significant results were obtained from the electromyography activity levels of spine Multifidus (right and left) (p=0/000), Gluteus Maximus (right and left) (p=0/000) and Transversus abdominis (right and left) (p=0/000) for the action of picking up. Likewise, regarding the action of standing up significant results were obtained for thoracic erector spine (right) (p=0/039), spine Multifidus (left) (p=0/000), Gluteus Maximus (left) (p=0/000) and Transversus abdominis (right and left) (p=0/000).

The results showed that the onset of activity in the Transversus abdominis and spine Multifidus had lower levels in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain compared to healthy individuals. Also, the disorder in coordination and delay in the operation of the Transversus abdominis and spine Multifidus in all four tasks of movements have been the main source of disorder and delay in the activity of the muscles of the upper and lower segments as compensation.