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ABSTRACT
Introduction: Core stability is an optimal alignment and control of spine to ensure efficient transfer of moment arm and summation of forces across segment resulting in greater precision and safety of dynamic activity. A delay in the onset of activation of transverse abdominis has been observed with patients with back pain compared to asymptomatic individuals.
Method: Cross-sectional study was conducted, 35 patients with back pain, 35 asymptomatic individuals were selected. Subjects with any trauma to lower back, abdominal or spinal surgeries, spinal condition like infection, tumor, fracture, pregnancy, inability to lie in prone position were excluded. The abdominal drawing in test was measured for each subject using pressure biofeedback unit (PBU). The patient was in prone lying, PBU was placed under the abdomen, inflated to upto 70 mmHg and patients were instructed to "Draw in your abdominal wall without moving your spine or pelvis " reduction of pressure was noted as "Activation Score" and then subject was ask to hold the contraction for 10 second. "Performance Index" was calculated (activation score*number of successful repetition).
Results: Both the groups were compared for the baseline data using age, no statistical difference was found. Mann-Whitney U test was applied for in between group analysis. There is a significant difference between both groups, values for activation score and performance index U= 213.5, 14.5, p=0.001
Conclusion: There is significant reduction in activation and endurance of core muscles in patients with low back pain compared to asymptomatic individuals.
Keyword: Core stability, Pressure biofeedback, Activation score, Performance index
INTRODUCTION
Disability associated with low back pain (LBP) continues to rise; Prevalence of low back pain is 23.09% in Indian population.(1) The prevalence of low back pain was highest during middle age, which represents some of the most productive years of a person's working life.(2) Lumbar conditions are divided into non-radicular and radicular conditions with the former being defined as pain, muscle tension, or stiffness localized below the costal margin and above the inferior gluteal folds in the lumbosacral region; without leg pain (sciatica).(3)
In an upright position, the load from the weight of the body is larger in lumbar spine than in thoracic and cervical spines; thus the lumbar spine is most sturdily built part of the column. Although more mobile...