Chronic low back pain assessment using surface electromyography

This investigation examined surface electromyography as an additional tool in the comprehensive clinical evaluation of patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP). Electromyographic signals from electrodes placed in the lumbar area of 30 CLBP patients and 30 non-pain control subjects were compared. P atients and controls were matched for age, gender, and body mass index. Pai red t test showed a statistically significant difference between the two gr oups. The muscle activity mean values were threefold higher in CLBP patient s than in controls (P < 0.00001) in the static testing, and twofold higher in CLBP patients than in controls (P < 0.00001) in the dynamic testing: Our findings indicate that surface electromyography, assess ment of the parasp inal muscle activity may be a useful objective diagnostic tool in the compr ehensive evaluation of CLBP.