Effects of exercise and electrical stimulation on lumbar stabilization in asymptomatic subjects: a comparative study

Abstract

Background and objectives: Segmental stabilization training and electrical stimulation are used as a treatment for patients with low back pain. There is limited information on the efficacy of two interventions in the literature. In this study, the efficacy of the two interventions on the multifidus muscle activation and fatigue, segmental stabilization training and electrical stimulation, were examined and compared.

Material and methods: Our sample consists of 30 asymptomatic individuals, randomly assigned to one of three groups: the group that was given segmental stabilization training, the group that was given electrical stimulation and the control group that received no treatment. The muscle activity and fatigability of the multifidus were recorded by the surface electromyography before and after the intervention.

Results: No difference is detected for any of the multifidus muscle activation and fatigue characteristics either within or between groups.

Conclusion: Both techniques did not improve multifidus activation capacity. An effort at submaximal and maximal level affects and increases the activity of multifidus.