Clinical trial NCT04178356: The Effects of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Training
Official title: The Effects of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Training on Pain, Range of Motion, Functional Disability Index, Back Extensor Muscle Endurance, and Diaphragm Muscle Thickness in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: UNKNOWN
Phase: NA
Conditions: Low Back Pain
Disability Physical
Lead sponsor: Hacettepe University
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2019-11-26
Enrollment: 30
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 18
Maximum age (years): 65
Standard ages: ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Intervention model description: Randomized
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: Although various methods have been emphasized in the treatment of chronic low back pain (CLBP), one of the treatments with the highest level of evidence is tailor-made exercises. Exercises to improve lumbopelvic region muscle performance and proprioception have been reported to be effective in alleviating clinical symptoms in individuals with CLBP. Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) techniques are frequently used in the treatment of CLBP. PNF techniques reduce the load on vertebral bodies when performed in supine, side-lying, and sitting positions. It has been reported that performing a PNF trunk pattern in a sitting position is effective for treating CLBP and it improves muscle endurance, flexibility, and functional performance. PNF lower extremity pattern training in a supine position is effective for abdominal muscle activation. There is also an improvement in pain, functional disability, and fear-avoidance belief by applying the PNF coordination pattern in a standing position. While the diaphragm effect was emphasized in individuals with CLBP, no studies examining the effect of PNF techniques used on CLBP treatment on diaphragm muscle thickness were found. In addition, studies investigating the effect of PNF techniques on pain, functional disability index, range of motion and waist muscle endurance were found to be insufficient. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of PNF techniques on related variables in individuals with CLBP.

Detailed description: It is known that dorsal proprioceptive signals, one of the necessary components in providing lumbopelvic motor control, are decreased in individuals with chronic low back pain (CLBP) and respiratory dysfunction. Diaphragm, which is an important postural control muscle, plays an important role in the correct reception of these signals. Electromyographic and ultrasonographic measurements in healthy subjects showed that the diaphragm was activated for anticipatory automatic adjustments before shoulder flexion, adjusted the transdiaphragmatic pressure and shortened the neck before motion began. In CLBP, diaphragm motility decreases significantly due to fatigue in the diaphragm. This makes it difficult to perform anticipatory automatic arrangements, leading to postural instability and respiratory dysfunction. Although various methods have been emphasized in the treatment of CLBP, one of the treatments with the highest level of evidence is tailor-made exercises. Exercises to improve lumbopelvic region muscle performance and proprioception have been reported to be effective in alleviating clinical symptoms in individuals with CLBP. Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) techniques are frequently used in the treatment of CLBP. PNF techniques reduce the load on vertebral bodies when performed in supine, side-lying, and sitting positions. It has been reported that performing a PNF trunk pattern in a sitting position is effective for treating CLBP and it improves muscle endurance, flexibility, and functional performance. PNF lower extremity pattern training in a supine position is effective for abdominal muscle activation. There is also an improvement in pain, functional disability, and fear-avoidance belief by applying the PNF coordination pattern in a standing position. While the diaphragm effect was emphasized in individuals with CLBP, no studies examining the effect of PNF techniques used on CLBP treatment on diaphragm muscle thickness were found. In addition, studies investigating the effect of PNF techniques on pain, functional disability index, range of motion and waist muscle endurance were found to be insufficient. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of PNF techniques on related variables in individuals with CLBP.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* presence of non-spesific CLBP (˃3 months),
* the ability to understand and follow verbal commands,
* to be volunteer to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

* to be pregnant,
* had a previous history of spinal surgery,
* neurological deficits,
* specific LBP (including facet joint syndrome, disc herniation and sacroiliac joint dysfunction),
* cancer or other autoimmune diseases

Primary outcomes:
measure: Visual analog scale (VAS)
timeFrame: 4 weeks
Secondary outcomes:
measure: The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI)
timeFrame: 4 weeks
measure: The Schober Test
timeFrame: 4 weeks
measure: The Prone Doubled Leg Straight Leg Raising (SLR)
timeFrame: 4 weeks
measure: Ultrasonographic Imaging
timeFrame: 4 weeks
Other outcomes:
Locations:
Study officials:
References:
citation: Beeckmans N, Vermeersch A, Lysens R, Van Wambeke P, Goossens N, Thys T, Brumagne S, Janssens L. The presence of respiratory disorders in individuals with low back pain: A systematic review. Man Ther. 2016 Dec;26:77-86. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2016.07.011. Epub 2016 Jul 25.
citation: Areeudomwong P, Wongrat W, Neammesri N, Thongsakul T. A randomized controlled trial on the long-term effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation training, on pain-related outcomes and back muscle activity, in patients with chronic low back pain. Musculoskeletal Care. 2017 Sep;15(3):218-229. doi: 10.1002/msc.1165. Epub 2016 Oct 28.
citation: Kofotolis N, Kellis E. Effects of two 4-week proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation programs on muscle endurance, flexibility, and functional performance in women with chronic low back pain. Phys Ther. 2006 Jul;86(7):1001-12.