Journal of Clinical Medicine
Deep Trunk Muscle Contraction Responses Across Different Postural and Task Conditions in Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain: A Cross-Sectional Ultrasound Study
By Meltem Güneş Akıncı, Emre Bezmez, Meltem Kasar Işıklı and 2 others.
Abstract
Background
Chronic nonspecific low back pain (CNLBP) is associated with altered deep trunk muscle function, but contraction responses across different postural and task conditions remain unclear.
Objective
This study compared contraction ratios of the transversus abdominis (TrA), internal oblique (IO), and lumbar multifidus (LM) muscles between individuals with CNLBP and healthy controls across two postural and task conditions differing in surface stability and contraction task.
Methods
Thirty-one individuals with CNLBP and 31 healthy controls were included. TrA, IO, and LM thicknesses were assessed ultrasonographically at rest and during contraction under static (supine/prone with limb elevation) and dynamic (exercise-ball sitting with unilateral foot elevation) conditions. Contraction ratios were calculated as contracted/resting thickness.