Lumbar Belt Research Articles

Effectiveness of Lumbar Belt on Pain and Lumbar Mobility in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain- An Experimental Study

Effectiveness of Lumbar Belt on Pain and Lumbar Mobility in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain- An Experimental Study

Effects of non-extensible lumbar belts on static and dynamic postural stability

BackgroundPrevious studies have found that increased intra-abdominal pressure helps to reduce spinal loading and improve spine stability. Non-extensible lumbar belts (NEBs) could elevate intra-abdominal pressure and augment spinal stability. NEBs have been used in the healthcare field to help reduce pain and improve spine function for people with low back pain. However, the effect of NEBs on static and dynamic postural stability is not clear.MethodsThis study aimed to investigate whether NEBs affect static and dynamic postural stability. Twenty-eight healthy male subjects were recruited to finish four static postural stability tasks and two dynamic postural stability tests. Center of pressure (COP) values during 30 s of quiet standing, dynamic postural stability index (DPSI) and Y balance test (YBT) score with and without NEBs were analyzed.ResultsNEBs had no significant effect in all COP variables in the static postural tasks. The results of a repeated measure two-way ANOVA indicated the NEBs significantly improved the dynamic postural stability in YBT score and DPSI (F (1,27) = 5.506, p = .027, {{eta }_{p}}^{2}=.169 and F (1,27) = 83.94, p = .000, {{eta }_{p}}^{2}=.757 respectively).ConclusionsThe study results indicate that non-extensible belts improve dynamic stability in healthy male participants, with potential implications for rehabilitation and performance enhancement programs.

The Effect of Lumbar Belts with Different Extensibilities on Kinematic, Kinetic, and Muscle Activity of Sit-to-Stand Motions in Patients with Nonspecific Low Back Pain.

Although lumbar belts can be used for the treatment and prevention of low back pain, the role of the lumbar belt remains unclear without clear guidelines. This study aimed to investigate the effect of lumbar belts with different extensibilities on the kinematics, kinetics, and muscle activity of sit-to-stand motions in terms of motor control in patients with nonspecific low back pain. A total of 30 subjects participated in the study: 15 patients with nonspecific low back pain and 15 healthy adults. Participants performed the sit-to-stand motion in random order of three conditions: no lumbar belt, wearing an extensible lumbar belt, and wearing a non-extensible lumbar belt. The sit-to-stand motion’s kinematic, kinetic, and muscle activity variables in each condition were measured using a three-dimensional motion analysis device, force plate, and surface electromyography. An interaction effect was found for the time taken, anterior pelvic tilt angle, and muscle activity of the vastus lateralis and biceps femoris. The two lumbar belts with different extensibilities had a positive effect on motor control in patients with nonspecific low back pain. Therefore, both types of extensible lumbar belts can be useful in the sit-to-stand motion, which is an important functional activity for patients with nonspecific low back pain.

An In-Silico Study on the Therapeutic Effect of Low Back Belts: Biomechanical Correlation between Belt Design and Patient Morphology

A comparative study of eight different lumbar belts, which are representative of the French market, was carried out on four typical morphologies of patients to assess their therapeutic effects and identify the correlation between the therapeutic parameters and mechanical ones. Four typical morphologies were chosen among 15 patients that had been chosen for the clinical study: tall-large, small-large, tall-thin, and small-thin. Simplified 3D finite elements (FE) models of the trunk according to each patient’s morphology were used for numerical analyses using Abaqus SimuliaTM. The same material properties of the body structures and boundary conditions were taken for all models to only focus on morphological variations. The material properties of eight lumbar belts were obtained by mechanical testing. The pressure applied by the belt to the trunk was modelled by Laplace’s law. The influences of belt types on typical morphologies were analyzed and synthetized to show which parameters are significant for biomechanical efficacy and attendance to the therapeutic effects. Finally, we found the following belt effects: (i) the lumbar belt is more efficient on the thin morphology than the large one, (ii) all mechanical values checked on the vertebral disks and vertebrae have a strong correlation with the correction of lordosis angle, and (iii) the belt’s global stiffness is an important parameter for generating the pressure applied to the trunk.

Prévenir la chronicisation de douleurs rachidiennes

Low back pain (LBP) is the leading cause of disability in France and worldwide and is increasing in France and worldwide. The burden is mainly related to chronic low back pain due to its personal, financial and professional repercussions. This article aims to detail the benefits of prevention of low back pain. Screening for people at risk of chronic low back pain is important to identify the most appropriate management. Prevention of LBP can be primary (when no LBP is present), secondary (to reduce the duration of its development) or tertiary (to reduce the prevalence of chronic disability or recurrence). At all stages, physical activity is the best achievable prevention, if possible coupled with information and education based on reassurance. Limiting spinal imaging could also be beneficial for secondary prevention. Prevention and promotion of physical activity is particularly important in two risk situations : occupational situations with heavy or frequently repeated load bearing and pregnancy. Workplace ergonomics has not yet proven to be very effective. Insoles and lumbar belts are not effective in primary or secondary prevention, in the general population or at work.

Feasibility of a Full-Field Measurements-Based Protocol for the Biomechanical Study of a Lumbar Belt: A Case Study

Low back pain represents a major economic and societal challenge due to its high prevalence. Lumbar orthoses are one of the recommended treatments. Even if previous results showed their clinical effects, the detailed mode of action is still poorly known, making the device design difficult. A renewed instrumentation and experimental protocol should bring better insight into the lumbar brace–trunk mechanical interaction. This instrumentation should give detailed information on the basic physical or geometrical parameters: the pressure applied on the trunk, the body shape and the strain in the belt. The principal objective of this study was to propose and validate a new measurement protocol, based on pressure mapping systems and full-field shape and strain measurement. The feasibility of the protocol was tested along with its validity and repeatability. The influence of various parameters, which could cause changes in the measurements, was tested with six different belt configurations on one subject. Measurements were also performed to study the impact of posture on pressure and strain. Both pressure and strain appeared to be asymmetric from left to right. The pressure applied by the lumbar belt on the back varies with breathing and with posture. This study showed that full-field measurements were necessary to render the high variability of pressure or strain around the trunk, under recommendations of their use to guarantee a satisfying repeatability.

Analysis of the Effect of Wearing Extensible and Non-Extensible Lumbar Belts on Biomechanical Factors of the Sit-to-Stand Movement and Pain-Related Psychological Factors Affecting Office Workers with Low Back Pain.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of wearing extensible and non-extensible lumbar belt (LB) on biomechanical factors of the sit-to-stand (STD) movement and pain-related psychological factors affecting office workers with low back pain. Among 30 office workers, 15 with low back pain (LBP) were assigned to the experimental group and 15 healthy adults were assigned to the control group. The participants performed STD movement in random order of three different conditions: without LB (Condition 1), with extensible LB (Condition 2), and with non-extensible LB (Condition 3). Biomechanical variables of STD movement in each condition were measured using a three-dimensional motion analysis system and force plate. Pain-related psychological factors were measured only in the experimental group. Among the biomechanical factors of STD movement, an interaction effect was found in the maximum anterior pelvic tilt angle and total-phase range of motion of the trunk (p < 0.05). Pain intensity, pain-related anxiety, and pain catastrophizing were decreased in the conditions with lumbar belts (Conditions 2 and 3) compared to the condition without LB (Condition 1) (p < 0.05). Extensible and non-extensible lumbar belts engender biomechanically beneficial effects during STD movement in both office workers with LBP and healthy office workers. Further, pain intensity, pain-related anxiety, and pain catastrophizing were decreased in office workers with LBP. Therefore, both types of extensible lumbar belts may be helpful in the daily life of patients with LBP and office workers.

Application of rubber pad electrodes and vacuum suction cups neuromuscular electrical stimulation

The present paper describes a wearable orthopaedic treatment unit. The wearable product requires a service member that is tailored to wear across the user’s body. The support person shall have a bracelet and a lumbar belt to ensure fitting over the user’s body. In addition, the support member is fitted with rubber pad electrodes and vacuum suction cups Neuromuscular electrical stimulation is provided by rubber pad electrodes which promote passive contraction and muscle relaxation. The system is particularly suited for the treatment of lower back pain. It also enables the absorption of waste materials such as lactic acid and thereby helps to enhance the functional properties of muscles such as flexibility, contraction, etc.

Un cas de spondylodiscite d´Anderson

We report the case of a 48-year old patient, with no particular previous history, on follow up for ankylosing spondylitis according to ASAS (Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society) criteria since 2012. The patient had inflammatory lower back pain without triggers fever, cough or weight loss. Physical examination showed lumbar stiffness with Schöber index 10+1, fingertip-to-floor distance = 30 cm. X-ray was not contributory. Lumbar MRI objectified Anderson spondylitis at L4-L5. These data were confirmed by lumbar CT scan, which showed spondylolysis at L4-L5 with erosions. Infection or neoplasm were excluded causes of Anderson’s spondylodiscitis. Patient’s outcome was favorable under analgesic, anti-inflammatory treatments and lumbar belt.

Characterization of Fabric-to-Fabric Friction: Application to Medical Compression Bandages

Abstract Fabric-to-fabric friction is involved in the action mechanism of medical compression devices such as compression bandages or lumbar belts. To better understand the action of such devices, it is essential to characterize, in their use conditions (mainly pressure and stretch), the frictional properties of the fabrics they are composed of. A characterization method of fabric-to-fabric friction was developed. This method was based on the customization of the fourth instrument of the Kawabata Evaluation System, initially designed for fabric roughness and friction characterization. A friction contactor was developed so that the stretch of the fabric and the applied load can vary to replicate the use conditions. This methodology was implemented to measure the friction coefficient of several medical compression bandages. In the ranges of pressure and bandage stretch investigated in the study, bandage-to-bandage friction coefficient showed very little variation. This simple and reliable method, which was tested for commercially available medical compression bandages, could be used for other medical compression fabrics.

Haste makes waste: on the trade-off between walking speed and target-stepping accuracy

Previous findings suggest that wearing a lumbar belt may benefit some patients with low back pain; however, the mechanisms of action are not yet fully understood.The effect of wearing two flexible (extensible and non-extensible) lumbar belts on trunk postural control was investigated during an unstable sitting task.Healthy subjects and subjects with LBP sat on a wobbling chair, with and without the lumbar belts. Chair rotation was measured in the sagittal and frontal planes, and 10 linear and nonlinear measures of balance were computed to assess the quantity (3 measures) and quality (7 measures) of the movements.Both lumbar belts induced similar changes in specific measures of trunk postural control, for both subject groups, generally indicative of more instability and less controllability, but with low effect sizes (0.14 and 0.40). Subjects with LBP also showed lower entropy (complexity; effect size 0.93) and higher determinism (predictability; effect size 0.56) than healthy controls, under all test conditions. These findings indicate that the subjects with LBP used a less complex, more predictable trunk postural control strategy, suggestive of impaired adaptability and responsiveness to dynamic trunk postural control demands. The findings also suggest other factors related to dynamic adaptability may be impaired by lumbar belt use.The effects of the lumbar belts on trunk postural control were small, however, their practical implications for the management of LBP remain to be determined in relation to other effects of lumbar belts (e.g. increased mechanical stiffness).

The effect of extensible and non-extensible lumbar belts on trunk postural balance in subjects with low back pain and healthy controls

BackgroundPrevious findings suggest that wearing a lumbar belt may benefit some patients with low back pain; however, the mechanisms of action are not yet fully understood. Research questionThe effect of wearing two flexible (extensible and non-extensible) lumbar belts on trunk postural control was investigated during an unstable sitting task. MethodsHealthy subjects and subjects with LBP sat on a wobbling chair, with and without the lumbar belts. Chair rotation was measured in the sagittal and frontal planes, and 10 linear and nonlinear measures of balance were computed to assess the quantity (3 measures) and quality (7 measures) of the movements. ResultsBoth lumbar belts induced similar changes in specific measures of trunk postural control, for both subject groups, generally indicative of more instability and less controllability, but with low effect sizes (0.14 and 0.40). Subjects with LBP also showed lower entropy (complexity; effect size 0.93) and higher determinism (predictability; effect size 0.56) than healthy controls, under all test conditions. These findings indicate that the subjects with LBP used a less complex, more predictable trunk postural control strategy, suggestive of impaired adaptability and responsiveness to dynamic trunk postural control demands. The findings also suggest other factors related to dynamic adaptability may be impaired by lumbar belt use. SignificanceThe effects of the lumbar belts on trunk postural control were small, however, their practical implications for the management of LBP remain to be determined in relation to other effects of lumbar belts (e.g. increased mechanical stiffness).

The effect of extensible and non-extensible lumbar belts on trunk muscle activity and lumbar stiffness in subjects with and without low-back pain

BackgroundLumbar belts have been shown to increase lumbar stiffness, but it is unclear if this is associated with trunk muscle co-contraction, which would increase the compression on the spine. It has been hypothesized that lumbar belts increase lumbar stiffness by increasing intra-abdominal pressure, which would increase spinal stability without increasing the compressive load on the spine. MethodsTrunk muscle activity and lumbar stiffness and damping were measured in healthy and low-back pain subjects during three conditions: no lumbar belt; wearing an extensible lumbar belt; wearing a non-extensible lumbar belt. Muscle activity was measured while subjects performed controlled forward and backward 20° trunk sways. Lumbar stiffness and damping were measured by applying random continuous perturbation to the chest. FindingsExternal oblique activity was decreased when wearing either lumbar belt during all phases of movement, while rectus abdominis and iliocostalis activity were decreased during the phase of movement where the muscles were maximally active while wearing either belt. Trunk stiffness was greatly increased by wearing either belt. There were no consistent differences in either lumbar stiffness or muscle activity between the two belts. Wearing a lumbar belt had little to no effect on damping. There were no group differences in any of the measures between healthy and low-back pain populations. InterpretationThe findings are consistent with the hypothesis that lumbar belts can increase spinal stability by increasing intra-abdominal pressure, without any increase in the compressive load on the spine. The findings can also be generalized, for the first time, to subjects with low-back pain.

Biomechanical consequences of lumbar belt design for the therapeutic treatment of low back pain

Low back pain induces high cost to the society in developed countries. It concerns more than 50% of the French population each year (Rossignol et al. 2009). One of the possible treatments for low b...

New Products Based on Essential Oils for the Treatment of Medical Furs

Sheep furskins for medical use were tanned with non-metallic tanning materials (syntans based on phenolsulphonic acids and aromatic oxysulfones). Sanitation of medical furs was made using essential oils, with therapeutic effect, in the final treatment of tanned furs. The paper refers to obtaining and physical-chemical characterization of new products based on natural oils (eucalyptus essential oil), ethyl alcohol, non-ionogenic surfactants from the category of polyethoxylated fatty alcohols and polyethylene glycols and water, for the treatment of medical furs. Eucalyptus essential oil used to obtain new products was analysed using GC-MS and spectral analyses. The furs will be used to make natural fur articles for medical purposes (lumbar belts, knee pads, elbow pads etc.) to relieve rheumatic and muscular pain of the affected target areas, keeping the area warm and potentiating the medical treatment of the patients who suffer from these conditions.

Selection and Characterization of Some Essential Oils for the Treatment of Medical Furs

It is now increasingly accepted that medicinal plants can be successfully used to treat certain conditions. There are a large number of people with rheumatic, joint and muscular disorders, and it is necessary to improve the treatment of patients suffering from these conditions by alternative methods. For these diseases, phytotherapy recommends plant species with analgesic, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory effects, etc. The paper refers to obtaining and their characterization by physico-chemical analyses new products based on natural oils (cajeput and mint essential oils), ethyl alcohol, non-ionogenic surfactants from the category of polyethoxylated fatty alcohols and polyethylene glycols and water, for the treatment of medical furs. Cajeput and mint essential oils used to obtain new products was analysed using GC-MS and spectral analyses. The composition of cajeput essential oil analyzed by GC-MS indicates the presence of the following major compounds: Eucalyptol -57.02%, alpha-linalool -2.93%, alpha-pinene�2.77%. The composition of mint essential oil analyzed by GC-MS indicates the presence of the following major compounds: Menthol -40.04%, L-menthone -23.78%, I-Menthone -14.51%. The furs will be used to make natural fur articles for medical purposes (lumbar belts, ankle guards, bootees etc.) to relieve rheumatic and muscular pain of the affected target areas, keeping the area warm and potentiating the medical treatment of the patients who suffer from these conditions.

In-silico pre-clinical trials are made possible by a new simple and comprehensive lumbar belt mechanical model based on the Law of Laplace including support deformation and adhesion effects.

Lower back pain is a major public health problem. Despite claims that lumbar belts change spinal posture due to applied pressure on the trunk, no mechanical model has yet been published to prove this treatment. This paper describes a first model for belt design, based on the one hand on the mechanical properties of the fabrics and the belt geometry, and on the other hand on the trunk geometrical and mechanical description. The model provides the estimation of the pressure applied to the trunk, and a unique indicator of the belt mechanical efficiency is proposed: pressure is integrated into a bending moment characterizing the belt delordosing action on the spine. A first in-silico clinical study of belt efficiency for 15 patients with 2 different belts was conducted. Results are very dependent on the body shape: in the case of high BMI patients, the belt effect is significantly decreased, and can be even inverted, increasing the lordosis. The belt stiffness proportionally increases the pressure applied to the trunk, but the influence of the design itself on the bending moment is clearly outlined. Moreover, the belt/trunk interaction, modeled as sticking contact and the specific way patients lock their belts, dramatically modifies the belt action. Finally, even if further developments and tests are still necessary, the model presented in this paper seems suitable for in-silico pre-clinical trials on real body shapes at a design stage.

The effect of wearing a lumbar belt on biomechanical and psychological outcomes related to maximal flexion-extension motion and manual material handling

Workers with low back pain (LBP) may benefit from wearing a lumbar belt (LB), but the biomechanical and psychological mechanisms involved are not fully understood. Two types of flexible LB (extensible and non-extensible) were compared to a control condition (no LB) regarding pain-related (pain, fear of pain and catastrophizing) and biomechanical (range of motion – ROM) outcomes related to two tasks: maximal trunk flexion-extension and manual material handling. Healthy controls and participants with LBP were tested. During both tasks, the two LBs reduced the lumbar ROM in participants with LBP in the same way as healthy controls. This was observed even at the beginning of the trunk flexion movement, allowing generalization to many work tasks, that is to say tasks performed with small or deep trunk flexion. The two LBs reduced pain, fear of pain and catastrophizing in subjects with LBP. That may help a gradual re-exposure to physical work activities (disability prevention perspective), or maintaining these activities (secondary prevention perspective), following a LBP episode.

The Effect of the Lumbar Vibratory Belt on Static and Dynamic Postural Stability in Post Stroke Hemiplegic Subjects

Background: Loss of postural control has been recognized as a major health problem in post-stroke hemiplegic patients. Vibratory somatosensory stimulation (VSS) is a novel method with considerable promises for improving postural stability in these subjects. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects and feasibility of local vibration through a lumbar belt on static and dynamic postural stability in post-stroke hemiparetic subjects. Methods: Eighteen stroke subjects participated in this study. Subjects were checked by Berg balance scale and then were asked to wear the vibratory belt which applies mechanical vibration on both sides of the posterior lumbar region. Balance control of the patients was tested in static and dynamic modes with open and closed eyes, in separate sets with and without vibration. Results: There was statistically significant stability improvement in overall stability index during applying vibratory belt ON. No significant evidence was shown the preferential balance improvement of the vibratory belt in either dynamic vs. static state or open vs. closed eye condition. Conclusions: Localized vibratory stimulation can improve the postural stability in patients with post-stroke hemiplegia.

Usefulness of anterior-half body cast using a soft brace or lumbar belt for spinal compression fracture: Toyohira orthopedic device with attachment

Usefulness of anterior-half body cast using a soft brace or lumbar belt for spinal compression fracture: Toyohira orthopedic device with attachment