Effect of Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization Exercises on Activity of External Oblique Muscle in Low Back Pain

Hediyeh  Hosseini; Abbas  Rahimi; Khodabakhsh  Javanshir; Mohammad  Taghipour; Aliyeh  Daryabor; Sedigheh Sadat  Naimi

doi:10.18502/jmr.v19i1.17513

Hediyeh Hosseini Student Research Committee, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Rehabilitation, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Abbas Rahimi Department of Physiotherapy, Physiotherapy Research Center, School of Rehabilitation, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Khodabakhsh Javanshir Health Research Institute, Mobility Impairment Research Center, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
Mohammad Taghipour Health Research Institute, Mobility Impairment Research Center, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
Aliyeh Daryabor Department of Physiotherapy, Physiotherapy Research Center, School of Rehabilitation, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Sedigheh Sadat Naimi Department of Physiotherapy, Physiotherapy Research Center, School of Rehabilitation, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jmr.v19i1.17513

Keywords: Low back pain; Electromyography; Core stability; Exercise; Abdominal oblique muscles

Abstract

Introduction: Dynamic neuromuscular stabilization (DNS) or core stabilization exercises have been used to improve core stability, but their effect on nonspecific low back pain (NSLBP) is still not fully understood. This study aimed to investigate the effect of DNS exercises on the electromyography (EMG) activity of the external oblique muscle in people with NSLBP.

Materials and Methods: In a randomized clinical trial, 44 people with chronic NSLBP were randomly assigned to the experimental and the control groups, with 22 participants in each group. The control group received standard physical therapy exercises, while the experimental group performed DNS exercises. Each group underwent an 8-week therapeutic exercise program, 5 sessions per week, with each session lasting approximately 60 minutes. Surface EMG was utilized to assess the core muscle activity of the external oblique. The EMG activity of the external oblique was measured in both groups before and after the 8-week intervention.

Results: Nineteen people in the control group and 21 in the DNS group were analyzed. The results showed that after the intervention, patients in the DNS group obtained, on average, an 8.82% (95% CI, 6.53%, 11.10%) higher increase in the EMG activity of the external oblique muscle compared to the patients in the control group (P<0.001, effect size: 0.622).

Conclusion: DNS exercises can be recommended for improving the activation of superficial core muscles like the external oblique in individuals with NSLBP.