JAM掲載論文検索

Abstract

[Objective] The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of electro-acupuncture of the lumbar region on the reaction time of the trunk muscles during postural sway.
[Methods] This study is non-blind comparative study. The subjects comprised 7 young athletes with lower back pain in the lower back pain (LBP) group and 8 healthy athletes in the control (CON) group. We measured the muscle reaction time of the trunk when the floor below the right leg suddenly tilted during standing at rest. Three measurements were taken for the right multifidus muscle and the right internal oblique muscle and median values were used for analysis. 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 multifidus muscle reaction time was significantly delayed in the LBP group after electro-acupuncture stimulation compared with that before stimulation (P<0.05). In the CON group, no significant difference was observed between the times before and after electro-acupuncture stimulation. No significant differences were noted in the internal oblique muscle reaction times before and after electro-acupuncture stimulation in either the LBP or CON group.
[Conclusion] While no differences were noted in healthy individuals, electro-acupuncture significantly delayed multifidus muscle reaction time during postural sway in athletes with lower back pain.