Ultrasonic Thickness of Abdominal Wall Muscles in Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain Patients based on STarT Questionnaire

Document Type : Original article

Authors

1 Ph.D, Associate professor in Physiotherapy , Department of Physiotherapy, School of Rehabilitation, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

2 Physiotherapy Department, School of Rehabilitation, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

3 Professor, Department of Basic Sciences, School of Rehabilitation, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

4 Ph.D, Professor in Physiotherapy , Department of Physiotherapy, School of Rehabilitation, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Background and Aim: The Multidimensional STarT Questionnaire is an index of clinical decision making and the choice of treatment type in patients with Nonspecific Chronic Low Back Pain (NSCLBP). The aim of the present study was to compare the ultrasonic thickness of abdominal wall muscles between NSCLBP subgroups based on StarT Questionnaire.
Materials and Methods: A total of 17 male patients with NSCLBP participated in the current analytical study. Based on the STarT Questionnaire, 10 participants were placed in the mild subgroup and 7 in the moderate subgroup. The ultrasonic thickness of abdominal wall muscles was measured at rest and contraction in the supine position. Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests, spatial analysis with repeated measure, and paired t-test were used for data analysis. Values p< 0.05 were considered statistically significant.
Results: There was no significant difference in resting (F=2.318   p=0.149), and contraction (F= 3.965, p=0.065) thickness of abdominal wall muscles in two subgroups of NSCLBP patients. All three muscles (internal oblique, transversus abdominis, and external oblique) in contraction were thicker than in the rest condition (p=0.02, p=0.001, p=0.007, respectively). Moreover, there was no significant difference between the thickness of the left and right in either of the muscles, whether in the rest or in the contraction condition (p>0.05).
Conclusion: Considering no difference in ultrasonic thickness of the abdominal wall muscles between the NSCLBP subgroups based on the STarT Questionnaire, it is recommended that the findings of clinical examinations be used to determine the approach of treatment in the subgroups of NSCLBP patients.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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The Scientific Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine
Volume 8, Issue 2
July 2019
Pages 10-17

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History

  • Receive Date: 27 April 2018
  • Revise Date: 08 September 2018
  • Accept Date: 02 October 2018
  • First Publish Date: 22 June 2019

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