Using EMG to evaluate muscle functions in patients with low back pain (LBP) syndromes

Muscle function is relevant to the effective diagnosis and treatment of LBP, although the qualitative and quantitative measurement of muscle function remains problematic. The aims of this study is to evaluate the spinal musculature function and contraction profiles for patients with low back pain (LBP) syndromes both pre and post treatment, and to compare these results to those obtained from normal subjects. 20 normal subjects and 10 patients with LBP were asked to perform symmetrical and asymmetrical loading activities which simulated common industrial tasks. Surface EMG electrodes and video cameras were used to record muscular activity and spinal kinematics. In comparison with the normal group, subjects with LBP showed different muscle activation profiles. No change in the EMG patterns was seen pre and post-treatment.