Effect Of Applied Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation In Addition To Lumber Stabilization Exercises On The Multifidus Muscle Thickness

Chronic low back pain is defined as low back pain lasting more than 3 months. Even if the acute pathology causing the pain is treated, chronic low back pain lasting up to 1 year can be seen in 20% of the patients. 80% of the population suffers from chronic low back pain at least once in their life. The causes of chronic low back pain can be very variable. Studies show that 70% of these pains are idiopathic and non-specific, that is, due to lumbar sprain and strain. This is followed by mechanical causes with 27%; spondylosis, spinal stenosis, lumbar disc herniation, osteoporotic fractures, congenital diseases. Apart from these, 2% referred pain; Pain due to malignancy and infection is seen in 1%.

Although the aim of the treatment of chronic low back pain varies according to the patient, the main purpose is to reduce the patient's pain and improve their functions. For this purpose, many treatment programs can be given to the patient. Exercises, physical therapy modalities, pharmacological treatments and surgical methods can be used.

Lumbar stabilization exercises are exercises for the abdominal and dorsal muscles, and many studies have previously shown their positive effects on pain and disability. However, these effects are usually short-term. Therefore, combining stabilization exercises with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) in patients with chronic low back pain and its clinical effect was questioned. Although this study could not prove the additive effect of NMES statistically, it showed important results on NMES tolerance of patients with chronic low back pain.

Multifudus muscle thickness was measured ultrasonographically in the studies. These studies show that multifidus muscle thickness is reduced in patients with chronic low back pain. Multifidus thickness measurement can be done statically and dynamically with the help of ultrasonography. In a study, static and dynamic multifudus thickness measurements were made at 3 levels (L3-L4, L4-L5, L5-S1), and high reliable results were obtained at L3-L4 and L4-L5 levels, and average reliable results were obtained at L5-S1 levels in static measurements. In dynamic measurements, reliable results were not obtained at all 3 levels.