Effects of Flexi-bar on Nonspecific Low Back Pain / 中国康复理论与实践

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate the effects of Flexi-bar on nonspecific low back pain. Methods:From June, 2020 to January, 2021, 30 patients with nonspecific low back pain were enrolled. Firstly, all the patients performed core stabilization exercise (supine bridge, curl-up and four-point support) using Flexi-bar or not, respectively. And the difference of electromyography (EMG) root mean square (RMS) value of transversus abdominis and multifidus was observed. Secondly, they were randomly divided into control group (n = 15) and experimental group (n = 15). The control group performed core stabilization exercise, and the experimental group received Flexi-bar training in addition, 30 minutes a time, three times a week, for six weeks. They were evaluated with Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and measured the thickness of transversus abdominis and the area of multifidus before and after training. Results:Firstly, there was significant difference in RMS of transversus abdominis and multifidus between using Flexi-bar or not (|t| > 2.468, P < 0.05), except the RMS of transversus in supine bridge (|t| < 2.029, P > 0.05). Secondly, before training, there was no significant difference between the control group and the experimental group (|t| < 1.944, P > 0.05); after training, the scores of VAS and ODI significantly decreased (|t| > 6.808, P < 0.001), the thickness of transversus abdominis and the area of multifidus significantly increased (|t| > 5.937, P < 0.001), and all the indexes were better in the experimental group than in the control group (|t| > 2.411, P < 0.05)， except the thickness of transverse abdominis (t = -1.431, P > 0.05). Conclusion:Flexi-bar could facilitate to reduce pain and improve the function of patients with nonspecific low back pain.