Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2025 Feb 12. doi: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000002715. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation combined with lumbar stabilization exercises on lumbar multifidus muscle thickness, disability, pain, depression, anxiety, and fear-avoidance beliefs in patients with chronic low back pain; and to examine the correlation between ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar multifidus.
DESIGN: Forty patients aged 18-65 years were randomized into two groups: Group 1: exercise and Group 2: exercise + neuromuscular electrical stimulation. The participants underwent 15-session electrical stimulation and/or exercise (3 days/week). All outcome measures assessed at baseline, post-treatment, and 3 months after. Multifidus cross-sectional area on magnetic resonance imaging was measured only at baseline.
RESULTS: Multifidus thickness increased, and pain decreased significantly in both groups, more prominent in Group 2. Disability, depression, and fear-avoidance beliefs scores significantly decreased in both groups, while anxiety decreased only in Group 1. Both magnetic resonance and ultrasound measurements demonstrated excellent inter-rater reliability and statistically significant correlations.
CONCLUSION: Both groups improved in terms of pain, disability, psychological status and muscle thickness. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation adjunct to lumbar stabilization exercises demonstrated enhanced effectiveness in increasing lumbar multifidus thickness.
PMID:39938065 | DOI:10.1097/PHM.0000000000002715
