Cramer Sports Motion Tape and Low Back Pain EMG

Study Summary

Low back pain is a problem which affects up to 70-80% of people in their lifetime. In the United States, it is estimated that the total direct and indirect costs of low back pain combined ranges from $19.6 to $118.8 billion. Recent studies have shown the importance of the gluteal musculature in the treatment of low back pain. It was found that the gluteus maximus (Gmax) is significantly more active in a low back pain population compared to a healthy population, indicating the low back pain population relied on the Gmax to fire more to overcome the gluteal weakness. A new approach to treating musculoskeletal conditions is a taping technique designed to target muscles and lymphatic system. Limited research is available for the treatment of specific conditions, including low back pain, but it is theorized to inhibit or facilitate the muscle, improve blood flow, reduce pain, and improve joint alignment. Methods: The purpose of this study is to determine the immediate and delayed effectiveness of Cramer® Sports Motion Tape on Gmax and lumbar paraspinal activation in a chronic mechanical low back pain population. A convenience sample of 20 new patients with current, chronic low back pain, no current neurologic signs or symptoms, no previous spinal surgery, no corticosteroid treatment within the last two weeks, and who are not pregnant will be recruited for this study. Patients will sign an informed consent, complete all initial paperwork. Surface electromyography will be used to quantify the activity level of the Gmax and lumbar paraspinals (LP). The MVIC will be estimated for each muscle group and the patient will perform a series of 4 randomized exercises, 5 repetitions each; Clams with Resistance, Standing Hip Abduction with Resistance, Sidelying Hip Abduction, and a forward bend. After each exercise the patient will rate "How hard they are working" on the RISE scale. Following the initial test, Cramer® Sports Motion Tape will be applied to the gluteal and low back are

Primary Outcome

3 muscles during 4 exercises (ClamsR, Sidelying, StandingAB, ForwardBend) at 3 time points (Baseline\[T1\], Immediate post\[T2\], 24hrs\[T3\]), were analyzed in 20 subjects, totaling 720 data points. Maximal voluntary isometric contraction(MVIC) was assessed using the standard manual muscle testing positions. For each subject, the EMG signals of the muscles during the exercises were smoothed, rectified and analyzed using a root-mean-square algorithm and the greatest activation of each muscle was

Interventions

• DEVICE Cramer Sports Motion Tape