ACTIVATION OF LUMBAR SPINE STABILIZER MUSCLES IN PEOPLE WITH CHRONIC LOW BACK PAIN: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Abstract

Objective: To compare the level of activation of the lumbar spine stabilizing muscles between people with chronic low back pain and healthy people. Methods: A systematic search was performed on May 10, 2021, of the following databases: PubMed, Physiotherapy Evidence Database and Cochrane Library. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were based on the PICO format. Two authors independently examined all articles that were selected for full reading. Disagreements were resolved through a discussion between the authors. Results: The bibliographical search identified 525 records, 165 of which were duplicates. After screening the titles, abstracts and the full text of the remaining 360 studies, 352 articles were excluded, and 8 articles were included in this review. The eight studies assessed the level of muscle activation in patients with chronic low back pain. In six studies patients with chronic low back pain had a higher activation level, in one study there was no statistically significant difference between groups,and in one study the activation level was lower in the chronic low back pain group. Discussion: This review was the first to review electromyography studies of the lumbar spine stabilizer muscles, covering all types of exposure procedures for evaluation. We believe that the recommendation of healthcare professionals for these patients to contract the stabilizer muscles are totally unnecessary. Conclusion: Patients with low back pain have a higher level of lumbar spine stabilizer muscle activation than healthy people.