Electromyography in muscle activation lumbar region in a comparison between manual therapy and photobiomodulation associated with kinesiotherapy in individuals with low back pain

INTRODUCTION: About 10 million people have low back pain (LBP) disability in Brazil. Several therapies are used to treat this condition, such as kinesiotherapy, manual therapy (MT), and photobiomodulation (PBM). Although the use of these methods in LBP has been investigated, studies evaluating the efficacy of the association between these techniques are still needed. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the activation of the lumbar region muscles by PBM or MT associated with kinesiotherapy for the treatment of LBP. METHODS: Twenty individuals with chronic LBP were randomlydivided into two groups. The first group (MT) received vertebral mobilization associated with a kinesiotherapy exercise program. The second group (830nm-PBM) received PBM associated with the exercise program, twice a week for 8 weeks. Evaluation of pain perceived was performed by the visual analogic scale (VAS), lumbar disability by the Oswestry questionnaire, muscle strength by strain gauge, and activation through surface electromyography (EMG). Data were collected before and after the treatment. EMG data was analyzed by MatLab®. The ANOVA two-way test was used (degree of significance p≤0.05), and the size of the effect by the Hedge test. RESULTS: Considering pain, the two groups presented a significant result (p<0.05). In muscle activation, only the multifidus was different during the side bridge (p<0.05) when compared intragroup. None of the variables were different when evaluating intergroup. CONCLUSION: Both MT and PBM associated with kinesiotherapy for 8 weeks are effective in reducing pain, and improving motor control and stability of the lumbar spine in patients with chronic LBP.

Correlation between the Severity of the Lumbar Degenerative Disease and Sagittal Spinopelvic Alignment / Correlação entre a gravidade da doença degenerativa lombar e o alinhamento espinopélvico

Abstract Objective To evaluate the impact of the severity of lumbar degenerative disease (LDD) on sagittal spinopelvic alignment. Methods In total, 130 patients (mean age: 57 years; 75% female) with LDD-associated low-back pain were prospectively included. The severity of the LDD was defined by the following findings on anteroposterior and lateral lumbar spine radiographs: osteophytosis; loss of of height of the intervertebral disc; terminal vertebral plate sclerosis; number of affected segments; deformities; and objective instability. The disease was classified as follows: grade 0-absence of signs of LDD in the lumbar spine; grade I - signs of LDD in up to two segments; grade II - three or more segments involved; grade III - association with scoliosis, spondylolisthesis, or laterolisthesis. Spinopelvic radiographic parameters, including pelvic incidence (PI), lumbar lordosis (LL), discrepancy between the PI and LL (PI-LL), pelvic tilt (PT), and sagittal vertical axis (SVA), were analyzed according to the LDD grades. Results The radiographic parameters differed according to the LDD grades; grade-III patients presented higher SVA (p= 0.001) and PT (p= 0.0005) values, denoting greater anterior inclination of the trunk and pelvic retroversion when compared to grade-0 andgrade-I subjects. In addition, grade-III patients had higher PI-LL values, which indicates loss of PI-related lordosis, than grade-I subjects (p= 0.04). Conclusion Patients with more severe LDD tend to present greater spinopelvic sagittal misalignment compared to patients with a milder disease.

Resumo Objetivo Avaliar o impacto da graduação da doença degenerativa lombar (DDL) sobre o alinhamento sagital espinopélvico. Métodos Ao todo, 130 pacientes (dade média: 57 anos; 75% do sexo feminino) com dor lombar associada a DDL foram prospectivamente incluídos. A gravidade da DDL foi definida pelos seguintes achados nas radiografias anteroposterior e de perfil da coluna lombar: osteofitose; perda de altura do disco intervertebral; esclerose na placa vertebral terminal; número de segmentos afetados; deformidades; e instabilidade objetiva. Os pacientes foram graduados segundo a DDL da seguinte maneira: grau 0-ausência de sinais de DDL na coluna lombar; grau I - sinais de DDL em até dois segmentos; grau II - envolvimento em três ou mais segmentos; grau III - quando associada a escoliose, espondilolistese ou laterolistese. Parâmetros radiográficos espinopélvicos, como incidência pélvica (IP), lordose lombar (LL), discrepância entre a IP e a LL (IP-LL), versão pélvica (VP), e eixo vertical sagital (EVS) foram analisados de acordo com os graus de DDL. Resultados Houve diferença nos parâmetros radiográficos comparando-se os graus de DDL, com os pacientes de grau III apresentando maiores valores de EVS (p= 0,001) e VP (p= 0,0005), o que denota maior inclinação anterior do tronco e maior retroversão pélvica do que os pacientes de graus 0 e I. Pacientes de grau III também apresentaram maiores valores de IP-LL, o que denota perda da lordose relativa ao valor da IP, do que pacientes grau I (p= 0,04). Conclusão Pacientes com DDL mais grave demonstraram uma tendência a maior desalinhamento sagital espinopélvico comparados com pacientes com graus mais leves.

Effect of laser treatment on postural control parameters in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain: a randomized placebo-controlled trial

The management of nonspecific lumbar pain (NSLP) using laser irradiation remains controversial. A systematic review of recently published studies indicates that the effects of laser therapy are commonly assessed using only imperfect methods in terms of measurement error. The main objective of this study was to assess static postural stability using an objective tool in patients with chronic NSLP after laser irradiation at different doses and wavelengths. In total, 68 patients were included in the laser sessions and were randomly assigned into four groups: high-intensity laser therapy at 1064 nm and 60 J/cm2 for 10 min (HILT), sham (HILT placebo), low-level laser therapy at 785 nm and 8 J/cm2 for 8 min (LLLT), and sham (LLLT placebo). In addition, all patients were supplemented with physical exercises (standard stabilization training). To assess postural stability, a double-plate stabilometric platform was used. All measurements were performed pre- and post-laser sessions (three weeks) and at follow-up time points (one and three months). Laser procedures led to more balanced posture stability in patients, although these positive changes were significant mainly for short-term observation (after 4-week therapy). In the follow-up analysis, the parameters were gradually impaired. Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance (ANOVA) for independent variables did not show any difference between the studied groups. Low- and high-intensity laser therapy does not lead to a significant improvement in postural sway in patients with NSLP compared with standard stabilization training based on short- and long-term observations.

Radiofrecuencia pulsada del ganglio de la raíz dorsal en un caso de sindrome radicular lumbosacro crónico refractario a los esteroides epidurales / Pulsed radiofrequency of dorsal root glanglion a clinical case of chronic lumbosacro syndrome refractory to epidural steroids

Las inyecciones epidurales de esteroides son frecuentemente indicadas en el sindrome radicular lumbosacro, producido por hernias de disco, protrusiones discales o estenosis del canal, cuando éste no responde al tratamiento no intervencionista. Sin embargo, por distintas causas, aproximadamente 20% de los pacientes no responden a estas inyecciones, quedando pocas opciones terapéuticas disponibles. La radiofrecuencia pulsada del Ganglio de la Raíz Dorsal de las raíces afectadas es una alternativa válida para tratar el sindrome cuando es refractario al tratamiento con inyecciones epidurales de esteroides, en caso de que la cirugía de columna no está indicada o se prefiera evitar. Se presenta un caso clínico de un sindrome radicular lumbosacro refractario, causado por protrusiones discales lumbares, donde se utilizó la radiofrecuencia pulsada del ganglio de la raíz dorsal con buenos resultados, evaluados mediante el Inventario Abreviado del Dolor (Brief Pain Inventory).

Lumbosacral radicular syndrome, produced by discs herniations, discs protrusions or spinal stenosis is frequently treated by injecting steroids in the epidural space. However, 20% of the patients are resistant to this treatment, so few therapeutics options for them are left. Pulsed radiofrequency of the Dorsal Root Ganglion is a validated therapeutic option, when the syndrome is refractory to epidural steroid injections and spinal surgery is not indicated or elected. We report a clinical case of a lumbosacral radicular syndrome, refractory to epidural steroid injections, successfully treated with pulsed radiofrequency of lumbar Dorsal Root Ganglion, utilizing the Spanish version of the Brief Pain Inventory, as an outcome evaluation tool.

Tratamiento de dolor lumbar crónico mediante radiofrecuencia pulsada y aplicación de esteroides em forma epidural: estudio comparativo / Treatment of chronic low back pain by means of pulsed radiofrequency and application of steroids in epidural form: comparative study / Tratamento da dor lombar crônica por meio da radiofrequência pulsada e a aplicação de esteroides na forma epidural: estudo comparativo

OBJETIVOS: valorar el resultado clínico de mejoría de dolor y de escala funcional lumbar de radiofrecuencia pulsada, en comparación con aplicación de esteroides epidurales, en el tratamiento de pacientes con dolor lumbar crónico. TIPO DE INVESTIGACIÓN: un ensayo clínico ciego y simple. MÉTODOS: el estudio se realizó dese mayo de 2008 a julio de 2009. Fueron 40 pacientes, de los medios institucional y privado, de la ciudad de Hermosillo, Sonora, en el México, con dolor lumbar crónico. Se aplicó el cuestionario de Roland-Morris y la escala visual análoga de dolor, previa a tratamiento, y posterior al mismo. No se registraron pérdidas de pacientes en el seguimiento. Se analizaron los resultados de las diferentes variables (edad, sexo, ocupación, evolución, trabajo de carga, incapacidad, hallazgos de imagenología), estableciendo una comparación con la prueba de χ2. RESULTADOS: fueron muy similares en ambos grupos de tratamiento (χ2=2.8283, p=0.093), con dos casos complicados por punción en el grupo de esteroides epidurales, sin casos complicados por el procedimiento de radiofrecuencia pulsada. Los valores de χ2 no muestran diferencias estadísticamente significativas, con valores de p de 0.09 a 0.9. CONCLUSIÓN: la aplicación de radiofrecuencia pulsada es tan eficaz como la aplicación de esteroides epidurales para el manejo del dolor lumbar crónico.

OBJETIVOS: avaliar o resultado clínico de melhoria da dor e da escala funcional lombar de radiofrequência pulsada, comparada com a aplicação de esteroides epidurais, no tratamento de pacientes com dor lombar crônico. TIPO DE INVESTIGAÇÃO: um ensaio clínico cego e simples. MÉTODOS: o estudo foi realizado desde maio de 2008 a julho de 2009. Foram utilizados 40 pacientes, dos meios institucional e privado, da cidade de Hermosillo, Sonora, no México, com dor lombar crônico. Foi aplicado o questionário de Roland-Morris e a escala visual análoga de dor, com tratamento prévio e posterior a este. Não foram registradas perdas de pacientes no seguimento. Analisaram-se os resultados de diferentes variáveis (idade, sexo, ocupação, evolução, trabalho de carga, incapacidade, achados de imagenologia), estabelecendo uma comparação com a teste do χ2. RESULTADOS: foram muito similares em ambos os grupos de tratamento (χ2=2,8283, p=0,093), com dois casos complicados por punção no grupo de esteroides epidurais, sem casos complicados pelo procedimento de radiofrequência pulsada. Os valores do χ2 não mostraram diferenças estatisticamente significativas com valores de p de 0,09 a 0,9. CONCLUSÃO: a aplicação da radiofrequência pulsada é tão eficaz quanto a aplicação de esteroides por via peridural no tratamento da dor lombar crônica.

OBJECTIVES: to evaluate the clinical outcome of improving pain and functional scale lumbar pulsed radiofrequency, compared to the use of epidural steroids in the treatment of patients with chronic low back pain. TYPE OF RESEARCH: a randomized single and blind. METHODS: the study was conducted from May, 2008 to July, 2009. There were 40 patients, through institutional and private means, in the city of Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, with chronic low back pain. The survey was conducted by Roland-Morris and visual analog scale of pain, with previous treatment, and subsequent to it. There were no losses of patients in the follow-up. We analyzed the results of different variables (age, sex, occupation, development, work load, disability, findings on imaging), and compared with the χ2 test. RESULTS: they were very similar in both treatment groups (χ2=2.8283, p=0.093), with two cases complicated by puncture in the epidural steroid group, without cases complicated by use of pulsed radiofrequency. The values of χ2 showed no statistically significant differences, with p-values from 0.09 to 0.9. CONCLUSION: the application of pulsed radiofrequency is as effective as the application of epidural steroids for management of chronic low back pain.