Clinical Assessment and Thickness Changes of the Oblique and Multifidus Muscles

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study evaluates the effect of a rotation based exercise program on core muscle thickness. Additionally, a second aim is to demonstrate the ability of a clinical assessment tool to identify muscle thickness changes. Half of participants receive the rotation based exercises, while the other half perform a traditional core exercise program. It was hypothesized that the rotation based exercises would result in greater changes in muscle thickness.

Detailed Description
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A number of exercise programs and assessment tools have been evaluated for their ability to influence and measure the core muscles. Inefficient stability and asymmetrical muscle activity of the core have been linked to a wide range of lower extremity injuries. Training of the abdominal muscles to obtain symmetrical recruitment for optimal trunk stabilization is a widespread clinical practice, however valid and reliable assessment tools and effective intervention protocols are lacking. This study uniquely uses both a clinical assessment tool and musculoskeletal ultrasound to measure changes in the core muscles following an exercise intervention. The overall purpose of this study was to design a valid and reliable assessment tool and an effective training protocol to activate the core muscles.

Official Title
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Clinical Assessment and Thickness Changes of the Oblique and Multifidus Muscles Using a Novel Screening Tool and Exercise Program: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Conditions
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Abdominal Muscles

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Rotation Exercises
* Other: Control Exercises


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: ° Undergraduate and graduate subjects from the University of the Delaware student community. Exclusion Criteria: You could be excluded if you have recently undergone surgery in the last 6 months. Currently suffering from low back pain. Or have a history of a neurological condition.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 35 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Screening
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Triple


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Rotation Exercises<br>8 minute program of rotation based exercises | Other: Rotation Exercises<br>* The subjects received 7 trunk rotation stability exercises x 10 reps each<br>* Other names: Sling Activation Session;|
| Active Comparator: Control Exercises<br>8 minute program of traditional exercises | Other: Control Exercises<br>* The subjects received 7 traditional exercises x 10 reps each<br>* Other names: Traditional;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Changes in Muscle Thickness | Musculoskeletal ultrasound measured changes in muscle thickness | Baseline and 10 minutes post intervention | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Changes in Clinical Muscle Assessment Using the Novel Sling Screen | Clinician based assessment of muscle function using the sling screen tool; Kappa coefficients were calculated to examine agreement between the 2 physical therapists that completed the sling screen assessments and to account for chance effects in scoring. A rating system was used for scoring performance. Min value on the scale is 2 and max value = 5; higher score is a better outcome. | Baseline and 10 minutes post intervention |