Surface Electromyography in Stratifying Chronic Low Back Pain.

The Application Of Surface Electromyography (SEMG) In Stratifying Chronic Low Back Pain

Surface Electromyography can be utilised to detect normal muscle electrical activity during maximum forward flexion termed Flexion Relaxation Response (FRR)

In this study, our primary objective is to assess FRR and disability (ODI) correlation protocol as an objective tool in stratifying Chronic LBP. We also would like to evaluate the relationship between FRR with pain intensity and lumbar range of motion as our secondary objective.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Participants aged between 20 - 70 years old
• Mechanical LBP > 6 weeks (not acute LBP)
• Not received any specific exercise spinal manipulation or surgery to improve LBP within the last 3 months.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnancy
• Radicular LBP patients or specific-spinal pathology / "red-flags".
• Surgical intervention for the current LBP complaint (includes traumatic causes of LBP with surgical intervention)
• Cognitive or communication difficulty preventing active participation in exercises or communicating pain scores