Avaliação do uso de sensor de contração muscular no treino sensório-motor em indivíduos com dor lombar persistente

Abstract

Low back pain is a chronic health problem, with a high socioeconomic impact, due to its high prevalence; it corresponds to any pain felt in the lower back. It is also an expensive health problem, both on personal and social level. The deficiency in the mechanical stability of the lumbar spine is known to decrease spinal muscle activation and could result in the occurrence of pain symptoms in the lower back. The stabilizing musculature is activated to protect the spine during body movements; however, its training could be carried out through specific exercises. Sensor technology could facilitate this task, being implemented, for example, in applications such as monitoring the effectiveness of home rehabilitation interventions in individuals with low back pain. The aim of the present study is to analyze the effect of stabilizer muscle training using a contraction sensor in individuals with nonspecific persistent low back pain, by assessing pain, balance, plantar pressure, muscle isometric resistance test and muscle ultrasound thickness. The sample consisted of 30 individuals with chronic low back pain, aged between 18 and 45 years. In the present horizontal, double-blind, study, in which each individual was evaluated before and after the intervention with 16 visits of 30 minutes each, performed on alternate days, using the muscle contraction sensor for the abdominal muscles. Numerical pain scale, baropodometry, stabilometry, Biering Sorensen muscle isometric resistance test and examination of the ultrasound thickness of the transverse abdomen were used for assessment. As a result of the research, a reduction in pain levels was observed, as well as an improvement in plantar distribution and balance. The resistance of the multifidus and the thickness of the transversus abdominis increased with training employing the contraction sensor. It is concluded that the portable system, developed with low cost, could help in the control of the stabilizing muscle contraction exercises, improving its contraction capacity and motor control and, consequently, improving balance and reducing low back pain, which could cause a major socioeconomic impact.