Scientific article
OA Policy
English

Relationship between the flexion relaxation phenomenon and kinematics of the multi-segmental spine in nonspecific chronic low back pain patients

Published inScientific reports, vol. 14, no. 1, 24335
Publication date2024-10-17
First online date2024-10-17
Abstract

The flexion relaxation phenomenon (FRP) is characterized by the reduction of paraspinal muscle activity at maximum trunk flexion. FRP is reported to be altered (persistence of spinal muscle activity) in more than half of nonspecific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP) patients. Little is known about how the multi-segmental spine affects FRP. The aim of this observational study was to investigate the relationship between FRP and kinematic parameters of the multi-segmental spine in NSCLBP patients. Forty NSCLBP patients and thirty-five asymptomatic participants performed a standing maximal trunk flexion task. Surface electromyography was recorded along the erector spinae longissimus. The kinematics of the spine were assessed using a 3D motion analysis system. The investigated spinal segments were upper thoracic, lower thoracic, thoracolumbar, upper lumbar, lower lumbar, and lumbopelvic. Upper lumbar ROM, anterior sagittal inclination of the upper lumbar relative to the lower lumbar in the upright position, and ROM of the upper lumbar relative to the lower lumbar during full trunk flexion were significantly correlated with the flexion relaxation ratio (Rho 0.42 to 0.58, p < 0.006). The relative position and movement of the upper lumbar segment seem to play an important role in the presence or absence of FRP in NSCLBP patients.

Keywords
  • Adult
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Chronic Pain / physiopathology
  • Electromyography
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Low Back Pain / physiopathology
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Paraspinal Muscles / physiology
  • Paraspinal Muscles / physiopathology
  • Range of Motion, Articular / physiology
  • Spine / physiopathology
Citation (ISO format)
GOUTERON, Anaïs et al. Relationship between the flexion relaxation phenomenon and kinematics of the multi-segmental spine in nonspecific chronic low back pain patients. In: Scientific reports, 2024, vol. 14, n° 1, p. 24335. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-72924-9
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Identifiers
Additional URL for this publicationhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-72924-9
Journal ISSN2045-2322
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