Motion and motor patterns of low back pain (LBP) sufferers have been demonstrated as different compared to those without LBP. The mechanism behind such movement alterations is not well known but is believed to be related to pain. Current biomechanical measurement of lumbar curvature and kinematics has limitations for routine clinical use. The aims of this research were to (1) investigate new motion analysis technology for dynamic lumbar curvature (fibre-optic sensors) and higher order kinematic assessment (inertial sensors) within a clinical environment; (2) determine the effect of pain relief on lumbar curvature, kinematics and muscle function in acute low back pain (ALBP) and chronic low back pain (CLBP) sufferers. Dynamic lumbar curvature was found to be reliably measureable in the clinic. Additional analysis demonstrated that regional curvature, as well as sequencing of curvature change measurement was possible. ALBP sufferers display less peak curvature during flexion and lifting compared to CLBP sufferers and both groups demonstrated the greatest curvature change in the second quartile for flexion and lifting and first for extension. Partial pain relief did not increase curvature in either group, and neither group was more likely to respond to pain relief by increasing curvature or altering sequencing. Higher order kinematics could be reliably and readily indentified in the clinic using inertial sensors. Movement-velocity plots were employed to describe the movement trajectory and irregularity. Multivariate analysis of variance revealed that neither partial pain relief (pre vs post) nor chronicity (acute vs chronic) had any effect on lumbar kinematics. Individuals appeared to exhibit different electromyography profiles. Those individuals with little deviation in muscle activation commonly displayed lower kinematic values. Partial pain relief did not alter the pattern of EMG profile, muscle onset timing or peak amplitude. These results suggest that clinicians should not expect automatic alterations in motion and motor patterns following interventions which target and achieve partial pain relief.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:570404 |
| Date | January 2012 |
| Creators | Williams, Jonathan Mark |
| Contributors | Lee, Raymond ; Haq, Inam |
| Publisher | University of Roehampton |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Source | https://pure.roehampton.ac.uk/portal/en/studentthesis/an-initial-investigation-into-the-effect-of-pain-relief-on-lumbar-kinematics-and-electromyography-in-low-back-pain-sufferers(697f8766-eecd-4aae-abcb-192586dd28a2).html |
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