ABSTRACT
The objective of this research was to evaluate the effects of a manipulative intervention on the electromyographic activity of paraverterbral muscles and low back pain intensity, both immediately and 30 minutes after their application in individuals with chronic low back pain. Thirty-eight individuals were evaluated, being randomly divided into two groups: the one who received global vertebral manipulation technique (n=20), and control (n=18), which remained in lateral decubitus for 10 seconds on each side of the body. The electromyographic signal of paravertebral parts at L4-L5 level both right and left was collected during three cycles of flexion-relaxation-extension of the torso. In the intervals between cycles, participants reported the intensity of pain through the Visual Analog Scale (VAS, 100 mm). A significant reduction in pain intensity in the group that received the manipulation was observed, opposed to the control group, in which the score increased in VAS. The dimension of the effect on pain intensity was 1.0 and 0.9 right after the manipulation and 30 minutes later. The flexion/relaxation ratio (FRR) increased in the group that was subjected to manipulation, but remained unchanged in the control group. The FRR displayed effects between the groups that were 0.6 and 0.5 in both assessments. We were able to see effects of the manipulation in these two variables, and its continuation in the range observed, concluding that they linger at least during that time.
Keywords:
Low Back Pain; Spinal Manipulation; Electromyography
