Abstract
BackgroundLumbar paraspinal muscle (LPM) is important in spinal stabilization in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP). However, the electrical properties of LPM in patients with CLBP remain unclear. Electrical impedance myography (EIM) is a novel and non-invasive technique that provides a simple quantitative evaluation of electrical properties of the LPM.PurposeThis study aimed to apply EIM to assess the electrical properties of the LPM between patients with CLBP and healthy control (HC).MethodsThirty participants (15 CLBP participants; 15 healthy controls) were enrolled in the study. Participants in the CLBP group were asked to complete the visual analog scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and Roland–Morris Disability Questionnaire (RDQ) to assess the pain intensity and disability in daily life. Independent sample t-tests were adopted to analyze the basic characteristics between the two groups. At 5, 50, 100, and 200 kHz current frequencies, the electrical properties were measured on each side of the LPM. The EIM parameters of resistance (R), reactance (X), phase angle (PA), and Z value were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), with age as covariate. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient analysis was applied to explore the relationships between the questionnaires and the EIM parameters.ResultsThe R and Z values of bilateral LPM in the CLBP group were significantly larger than those in the HC group; the PA decreased and the X did not change at these four tested current frequencies. At 5 kHz, Z and R on the right side were non-significantly different between patients and HCs. Correlation analysis showed that at 50 kHz, ODI and RDQ scores correlated negatively with the R of the bilateral LPM (r = 0.523, r = 0.581, respectively; p < 0.05). RDQ scores correlated positively with the PA of the right LPM (r = 0.521, p < 0.05).ConclusionThe electrical properties of the bilateral LPM differed between CLBP participants and healthy individuals, regardless of the different frequencies used. These altered electrical properties of the LPM in the patients with CLBP correlated to some extent with disability in daily life.
Highlights
Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a multifactorial disease with a lifetime prevalence of 75–84% in developed countries worldwide [1]
Since Electrical impedance myography (EIM) has been widely applied to the study of muscular disorders [12], we considered that EIM may be a novel way to demonstrate pathological characteristics of the Lumbar paraspinal muscle (LPM) in patients with CLBP
The electrical properties of the bilateral LPMs differed between the patients with CLBP and healthy control (HC), regardless of the current frequency used
Summary
Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a multifactorial disease with a lifetime prevalence of 75–84% in developed countries worldwide [1]. It occurs in all age groups [2]. Since Panjabi first suggested this instability hypothesis of low back pain, the trunk muscles in patients with CLBP have become a research focus. Lumbar paraspinal muscle (LPM) is important in spinal stabilization in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP). The electrical properties of LPM in patients with CLBP remain unclear. Purpose: This study aimed to apply EIM to assess the electrical properties of the LPM between patients with CLBP and healthy control (HC) Electrical impedance myography (EIM) is a novel and non-invasive technique that provides a simple quantitative evaluation of electrical properties of the LPM.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
