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ObjectiveTo explore the immediate and short-term effects of pressure biofeedback therapy combined with Flexi-bar exercise in the sitting position on chronic non-specific low back pain (CNSLBP). MethodsFrom June to September, 2022, 27 CNSLBP students in Xuzhou Medical University and other universities around were randomly divided into pressure biofeedback unit (PBU) group (n = 9), Flexi-bar group (n = 9) and combined group (n = 9). On the basis of routine rehabilitation guidance, the PBU group accepted pressure biofeedback therapy, the Flexi-bar group accepted active vibration therapy, and the combined group accepted pressure biofeedback therapy and active vibration therapy, for three weeks. They were measured core stability with Stabilizer, lumbar joint repositioning error (LJRE) with iHandy, and bilateral transverse abdominis thickness and multifidus muscle cross-sectional area with ultrasonography; and assessed with Visual Analogue Scale for pain (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) before and after treatment; and the core stability were measured immediately after the first treatment. ResultsThe indexes of core stability improved after the first treatment (|t| > 3.000, P < 0.05) in all groups, and improved the most in the combined group (F > 10.909, P < 0.001). All the indexes improved after three weeks of treatment (|t| > 2.604, P < 0.05), except for LJRE in PBU group; and they were the best in the combined group (|F| > 4.061, P < 0.05), except LJRE was not significantly different from the Flexi-bar group (P > 0.05). ConclusionPressure biofeedback therapy combined with Flexi-bar exercise in the sitting position can more effectively improve core stability and core muscles, proprioception, and pain for patients with CNSLBP.
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@#Objective To compare the effects of Flexi-bar training in different exercise patterns on trunk stability muscles.Methods From June, 2020 to January, 2021, 21 healthy men in Beijing Bo'ai Hospital finished Flexi-bar exercise in seven patterns in random order, namely no vibration, two hands-front vibration, dominant hand-front vibration, non dominant hand-front vibration, two hands-up vibration, two hands-down vibration and two hands-back vibration. The average voltage of electromyography of upper trapezius, middle trapezius, lower trapezius, latissimus dorsi and lumbar multifidus were recorded with surface electromyography during seven kinds of Flexi-bar exercise.Results The average voltage of lumbar multifidus was the most as two hands-front vibration (F=42.362, P<0.001); however, it was the most for upper trapezius and lower trapezius as two hands-up vibration (F > 10.935, P<0.001), it was the most for latissimus dorsi as two hands-back vibration (F=35.243, P<0.001), and it was the most for ipsilateral middle trapezius as non dominant hand-front vibration (F=40.400, P<0.001).Conclusion Flexi-bar training can effectively activate the contraction of trunk stability muscles, and it can be optimized in targeted patterns.
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Objective:To investigate the effects of Flexi-bar on nonspecific low back pain. Methods:From June, 2020 to January, 2021, 30 patients with nonspecific low back pain were enrolled. Firstly, all the patients performed core stabilization exercise (supine bridge, curl-up and four-point support) using Flexi-bar or not, respectively. And the difference of electromyography (EMG) root mean square (RMS) value of transversus abdominis and multifidus was observed. Secondly, they were randomly divided into control group (n = 15) and experimental group (n = 15). The control group performed core stabilization exercise, and the experimental group received Flexi-bar training in addition, 30 minutes a time, three times a week, for six weeks. They were evaluated with Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and measured the thickness of transversus abdominis and the area of multifidus before and after training. Results:Firstly, there was significant difference in RMS of transversus abdominis and multifidus between using Flexi-bar or not (|t| > 2.468, P < 0.05), except the RMS of transversus in supine bridge (|t| < 2.029, P > 0.05). Secondly, before training, there was no significant difference between the control group and the experimental group (|t| < 1.944, P > 0.05); after training, the scores of VAS and ODI significantly decreased (|t| > 6.808, P < 0.001), the thickness of transversus abdominis and the area of multifidus significantly increased (|t| > 5.937, P < 0.001), and all the indexes were better in the experimental group than in the control group (|t| > 2.411, P < 0.05)， except the thickness of transverse abdominis (t = -1.431, P > 0.05). Conclusion:Flexi-bar could facilitate to reduce pain and improve the function of patients with nonspecific low back pain.
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Objective:To investigate the effects of fixing Flexi-bar training on motor function in chronic stroke patients. Methods:From October, 2018 to June, 2019, 45 chronic stroke patients with hemiplegia were randomly divided into control group (n = 23) and Flexi-bar group (n = 22). All the patients received routine rehabilitation treatment for four weeks, while the Flexi-bar group received fixing Flexi-bar training with hanging in addition. They were assessed with Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients (PASS), Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) for motor and balance and modified Barthel index (MBI) before and after treatment, while the root mean square (RMS) of surface electromyography of rectus abdominis, external oblique muscle, internal oblique muscle and erector spinae of affected side were measured. Results:There were two cases lost in the Flexi-bar group. The scores of PASS, FMA for balance and MBI increased in both groups after treatment (|t| > 2.750, P < 0.05), and increased more in the Flexi-bar group than in the control group (|t| > 3.449, P < 0.05), except the score of FMA for motor. The RMS of all the muscles increased in both groups after treatment (|t| > 2.156, P < 0.05), and increased more in the Flexi-bar group than in the control group (|t| > 2.368, P < 0.05). Conclusion:Fixing Flexi-bar training could promote the recorvery of activities of trunk muscles in chronic stroke patients, to improve postural control and balance.