Effect of thigh muscle strength training through telerehabilitation in volunteers with low back pain. A controlled and randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a clinical condition with a high global incidence that significantly impacts the quality of life, including psychological, physical, and social aspects. It commonly leads to an impairment in muscle strength and activation.

Research question: The aim of the study was to assess the short-term effects of thigh muscle strength training conducted via telerehabilitation and in-person in patients with self-reported LBP.

Methods: The telerehabilitation and control groups completed 10 strength training sessions, five times a week. Both groups were evaluated for electromyographic parameters, maximal isometric voluntary contraction (MIVC), and the number of maximum repetitions of knee flexion-extension movements.

Results: Telerehabilitation increased the recruitment of the right rectus femoris (p < 0.05). It improved the maximum repetition capacity for the left knee extension (p < 0.01) movement and for the right and left knee flexion(p < 0.05); however, it was able to reduce the MIVC right and left knee flexion (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Telerehabilitation was able to increase the recruitment of the right biceps femoris muscles and maintain the recruitment of the right and left rectus femoris; improve the maximum repetition capacity for left knee extension and of both the right and left knees flexion movement. However, it could not increase the MVIC after the training period.

Keywords: Exercise Therapy; Low back pain; Telerehabilitation.