Publication Date

2024

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Bateni, Hamid

Degree Name

Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy)

Legacy Department

School of Allied Health and Communicative Disorders

Abstract

Low back pain (LBP) is common, debilitating, and costly to treat. In the United States alone, LBP treatment costs are estimated at 100-200 billion annually. Physical therapists often provide conventional core strengthening exercise (CCSE) to address the symptoms of LBP. On the other hand, however, a low rate of success is reported for individuals treated for their LBP. Despite numerous studies conducted on LBP treatments, patient outcomes are mixed and 60-86% of people have recurrent LBP episodes. This rating may be attributed to the complexity of the exercise that makes correct performance challenging and can potentially reduce patient compliance. An alternative approach is a novel core stability exercise (NCSE). It is possible that NCSE, that is a less complicated exercise, reach the same level of outcome as CCSE, which may in turn, results to more compliance. Both CCSE and NCSE target para-spinal muscles, in particular, lumbar multifidus muscle (LMM) which is known to be significant contributor to LBP.

The main purpose of this dissertation is to compare CCSE and NCSE for their impact on LMM, via ultrasonic imaging. Initially, the method of ultrasonic imaging of LMM was assessed to determine our measurements validity and reliability. In the second phase, the impact of positioning during each exercise was assessed and compared in healthy adults (n=15) as a proof of concept. This information ascertained that both CCSE and NCSE are influencing LMM during exercise. Finally, two groups’ individuals with the history of LBP participated in 6 weeks long CCSE (n=9) and NCSE (n=11) program. The morphological characteristics of LMM was measured before, after 3 weeks and after 6 weeks of participation. Our results indicated that both CCSE and NCSE improved morphological characteristics as well as disability index.

Extent

100 pages

Language

en

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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