2023, Vol. 27 ›› Issue (8): 1250-1256

Effect of deep muscle stimulation on muscle tone and stiffness of erector spinaes in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain: a digital muscle testing

Zhang Qiming1, Bao Sairong2, Shan Sharui2, Zhong Zhiliang2, Liu Chunlong1   

Abstract: BACKGROUND: As a local vibration therapy, deep muscle stimulation therapy can relieve pain and loose fascia adhesion through a specific frequency of mechanical wave by hitting pain points, but less is reported on the changes of muscle tone and stiffness of erector spinaes after its effect on chronic non-specific low back pain.
OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of deep muscle stimulation on muscle tone and stiffness of erector spinaes as well as clinical efficacy in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain by a digital muscle detector.
METHODS: A total of 60 patients with chronic non-specific low back pain admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University from September 2019 to June 2021 were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups (n=30 per group): a control group and an experimental group. Patients in the control group received the routine physical therapies, including core muscle group practice, stereodynamic interference electrotherapy and health education, and patients in the experimental group received deep muscle stimulation therapy based on the routine physical therapies, five times per week, for 4 consecutive weeks. Pain degree, waist function, changes of muscle tone and stiffness of the erector spinae muscle, and clinical efficacy were statistically analyzed before treatment, after the first treatment, after the completion of all treatments, and 4 weeks after treatment.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: After the first treatment, the oscillation frequency (F value), visual analog scale scores and stiffness values of the two groups were significantly lowered (P < 0.05), except for the oscillation frequency of the control group (P > 0.05). After the completion of all treatments, the visual analog scale scores, oscillation frequency, dynamic stiffness, and Quebec Baclain Disability Scale scores of the two groups were significantly lower than before treatment (P < 0.05), while the experimental group was better than the control group (P < 0.05). Four weeks after treatment, the Quebec baclain disability scale scores of two groups were improved compared with those after the completion of all treatments (P < 0.05), and the Quebec baclain disability scale score in the control group was significantly improved compared with that in the experimental group (P < 0.05). The number of effective and total effective cases in the experimental group were both better than those in the control group (P < 0.05) after the completion of all treatments. The overall efficiency of the experimental group (97%) was higher than that of the control group (80%; P < 0.05). Four weeks after treatment, the number of effective and total effective cases in the experimental group were also better than those in the control group (P < 0.01). The overall efficiency of the control group (63%) was significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Although the overall efficiency of the experimental group (93%) decreased (P < 0.05), the clinical efficacy was mainly maintained. To conclude, deep muscle stimulation with routine physical therapies can effectively relieve pain, reduce muscle tone and stiffness of erector spinaes, and improve and keep the clinical efficacy in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain.
Key words: deep muscle stimulation, chronic non-specific low back pain, MyotonPro, muscle tone, stiffness