earticle

영어

The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of Whole Body Electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) exercise on muscle strengthening, pain, and range of motion (ROM) in subjects with lumbar instability. 30 subjects with lumbar back pain were recruited for this study. They were randomly divided into experimental group with WB-EMS and control group without WB-EMS, 15 in each. Both groups received a total of 30 minutes of intervention programs, respectively. Measurements were made before and after the intervention. Muscle strength was measured from the trunk flexor and extensor muscles using a handheld dynamometer. Perceived pain was measured by using the visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI). The ROM was used by modified-modified Schober test (MMST)at the flexion and extension of trunk. The following statistical analysis was performed: an independent t-test for the general characteristics of the subjects, 2×2 analysis of variance with repeated measures for the strength, pain and ROM. There was significant group×time interaction effect in the flexor strength (F1,28=30.160, p=.000), extensor strength (F=6.147, p=.019), VAS (F1,28=10.270, p=.003), ODI(F=29.210, p=.000), MMST at flexion (F=7.337, p=.011), MMST at extension (F=5.332, p=.029). These findings suggest that WB-EMS may be helpful to improve strength, pain, and ROM in subjects with lumbar instability.