JAM掲載論文検索
Japanese Acupuncture and Moxibustion (Online)
JAM 2014;Vol.10:1-7
Effects of Electro-acupuncture stimulation on the left–right asymmetry of lumbar erector spinae muscle EMG activity in subjects with lower back pain
KONDO Hiroshi 1,3), MORIYAMA Tomomasa 1), USUI Nagao 2), MIYAKAWA Shunpei 3)
1) Faculty of Health Science, Tsukuba University of Technology
2) Faculty of Liberal Arts, the Open University of Japan
3) Doctoral Program in Sports Medicine Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences Laboratory of Advanced Research D University of Tsukuba University of Tsukuba
Abstract
[Objective] To examine the effects of acupuncture stimulation on the left–right asymmetry of lumbar erector spinae muscle EMG activity during trunk flexion exercises.
[Methods] 12 subjects with lower back pain (mean age: 19.8 ± 1.1 years). Assessment items were left–right asymmetry of lumbar erector spinae muscle EMG activity during trunk flexion (% difference) and the degree of lower back pain [visual analog scale (VAS)]. Acupuncture was performed as an intervention for the left–right lumbar erector spinae muscles (L4 and L5) with an electrical stimulus of 1 Hz for 10 min.
[Results] The mean % difference in lumbar erector spinae muscle EMG activity was 31.1 ± 2.9% before acupuncture stimulation and 18.3 ± 2.4% after acupuncture stimulation, which was a significant decrease (P < 0.05). The mean VAS score was 32.3 ± 5.2 mm before acupuncture stimulation and 24.2 ± 5.6mm after acupuncture stimulation, which was also a significant decrease (P < 0.05).
[Conclusion] Our results suggest that acupuncture stimulation is effective for left–right asymmetry remission of lumbar erector spinae muscle EMG activity during trunk flexion and can alleviate lower back pain.