Effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation-based abdominal muscle strengthening training on pulmonary function, pain, and functional disability index in chronic low back pain patients

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of abdominal muscle strengthening training (AMST) using proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on pulmonary function, pain, and functional disability index in chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients. Thirty CLBP patients were randomly assigned to the traditional physical therapy (control) group (n=15) and PNF-AMST group (n=15). Forced expiratory volume at 1 second (FEV₁) was measured to measure changes in pulmonary function. To measure the degree of pain, a visual analog scale (VAS) was used. The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) was used to assess the disability level due to low back pain. A paired t-test was performed to compare differences within the groups before and after intervention. An independent t-test was performed to compare differences between the test and control groups. The level of significance was set at α=0.05. Within-group changes in FEV₁ were significantly different in the experimental group (P<0.01), and those in VAS and ODI were significantly different in both groups (both P<0.01). The improvements in FEV₁, VAS, and ODI were significantly greater in the experimental group than in the control group (P<0.01). This study showed that AMST using PNF was effective in enhancing pulmonary function and decreasing pain and functional disability index inpatients with CLBP. We expect it to be useful as one of the programs for CLBP patients in the future.

INTRODUCTION

Low back pain (LBP) is a typical musculoskeletal disorder, with the prevalence of 60%–90% in the general population and ~80% among those who had already experienced LBP at least once (O’Sullivan, 2000). Of patients who have not fully recovered, 15% experience chronic LBP (CLBP) (Lee et al., 2014a).

Lee et al. (2001) studied various causes of LBP in industrial settings and reported that CLBP is highly related to weakening of abdominal muscles (AMs). Nourbakhsh and Arab (2002) also reported that the weakness of AM was related to LBP. Thus, the weakness of AM (muscles around the waist) is the cause of LBP. In addition, the weakness of AM increases the pelvic anterior tilt and lordosis of the waist, which induce LBP (Rone-Adams et al., 2004). AM contraction increases intra-abdominal pressure, discharges the air to the outside of the diaphragm, and is necessary for bucking for airway clearance. CLBP is difficult due to AM weakness (Bach et al., 1993). Lee et al. (2008) measured muscle activation of forced expiratory volume at 1 second (FEV₁) and AM in adults with CLBP, which was lower than in normal adults, and a lumbar stability exercise significantly improved pulmonary function and AM muscle activation, and also reduced pain.

In general, sit-up exercises using various instruments and tools are used to enhance AM (Hildenbrand and Noble, 2004). These exercise methods may help strengthen the AM, but excessive trunk-bending exercise can cause problems such as vertebral compression fractures because of osteoporosis (Ralston et al., 1990) or disc herniation because of an increase in intraspinal pressure (Nachemson, 1981).

However, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) reduces the load on vertebral bodies when performed in prone, side-lying, and sitting positions. Isometric and isotonic exercises can be performed in neutral positions to prevent damage. Exercises with arms and legs can indirectly activate AM. Kofotolis and Kellis (2006) reported that performing a PNF trunk pattern in a sitting position was effective for treating CLBP and that it improved muscle endurance, flexibility, and functional performance. Yoo et al. (2013) reported that PNF lower extremity pattern training in a prone position was effective for AM activation. Kim et al. (2014) showed an improvement in pain, functional disability, and fear-avoidance belief by applying the PNF coordination pattern in a standing position.

Thus, these studies used PNF for musculoskeletal LBP patients. However, we reasoned that application of patterns that can strengthen AM in various positions would be more effective. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of PNF-AM strengthening training (AMST) on pulmonary function, pain, and functional disability index in CLBP patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Subjects

This study was conducted at Design Hospital in Jeonju city from March to August 2016. The subjects were CLBP patients aged 30–40 years who complained of LBP for over 12 weeks. Those with acute pain or persistent severe pain, those with spondylolysis or spondylolisthesis, the presence of abnormal neurologic sensations or muscular paralysis, and subjects who had difficulties in exercise performance due to mental problems or lack of understanding were excluded from the study. Thirty patients who agreed to participate in the study and understoodits purpose were included. These were randomized to the traditional physical therapy (TPT) control group (n=15) and the PNF-AMST experimental group (n=15). The characteristics of the participants are summarized in Table 1.

Table 1.

General characteristics of subjects

Characteristic	Experimental group (n=15)	Control group (n=15)	P-value
Sex (male:female)	8:7	9:6	1.00
Age (yr)	39.80±5.47	39.40±5.69	0.42
Height (cm)	168.73±7.27	168.73±8.01	0.07
Weight (kg)	67.60±9.51	67.07±9.65	0.19
FEV1 (L)	3.18±0.44	3.20±0.58	0.12
VAS (score)	6.60±1.12	6.53±1.11	0.96
ODI (score)	33.27±6.76	33.53±4.75	0.87

Values are presented as mean±standard deviation.

FEV₁, forced expiratory volume at 1 second; VAS, visual analog scale; ODI, Oswestry Disability Index.

PNF-AMST program

The PNF-AMST intervention was performed using patterns and techniques to accommodate the level of patients in various positions for AM facilitation and strengthening. There was a rest of about 20 sec between sets. Warm-up for 10 min, main exercises for 30 min, cool-down for 10 min (a total of 50 min), 5 times a week for 6 weeks. The detailed PNF-AMST program is described in the table below (Table 2).

Table 2.

PNF abdominal muscle strengthening training program

Type	Exercise			Method	Goals
	Position	Pattern	Technique
Warm-up	Supine, side lying, prone	Stretching, range of motion	RI, HR, or CR	10 min	Prevention of injury, reduction of pain
PNF exercise	Hook lying	Bilateral asymmetrical lower extremity	RS, SR	8th–15th/3 set/30 min	Abdominal muscle facilitation and strengthening
	Supine	Flexion adduction external rotation lower extremity	RI, CI
	Supine	Bilateral asymmetrical lower extremity	RI, CI
	Supine	Extension adduction internal rotation upper extremity	RI, CI
	Supine	Bilateral symmetrical upper extremity	RI, CI
	Supine	Chopping	RI, CI
	Side lying	Flexion adduction external rotation lower extremity	RI, CI
	Side lying	Bilateral asymmetrical lower extremity	RI, CI
	Prone elbow	Neck flexion	RI, CI
	Sitting	Bilateral asymmetrical lower extremity	RI, CI
	Sitting	Chopping	RI, CI
	Sitting	Trunk flexion	RI, CI
Cool-down	Supine, side lying, prone	Stretching, range of motion	RI, HR, or CR	10 min	Prevention of injury, reduction of pain

PNF, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation; RI, rhythmic initiation; HR, hold-relax; CR, contract-relax; RS, rhythmic stabilization; SR, stabilizing reversal; CI, combination of isotonics.

TPT program

TPT was performed as a traditional intervention method for CLBP patients. Hot pack treatment (80°C, 20 min), interfacial current therapy (2,000–2,500 Hz, 20 min), and ultrasound (0.8–1 MHz, 10 min) were performed for a total of 50 min 5 times a week for 6 weeks.

Forced expiratory volume at 1 second

FEV₁ was measured using a spirometer (Schiller SP-260, Medical Supply Co. Ltd., Dublin, Ireland). Measurements were carried out after sufficient explanation and demonstration of the method to the subject. The measurement indicators measure FEV₁ after starting forced vital capacity for 1 sec. The pulmonary function test was repeated three times in the sitting position, and the mean value was recorded.

Pain

Pain was assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS, 0–10 cm; 0 means no pain, 10 means severe pain). The examination and retest cross-reliability was r=0.96 (Lingjaerde and Føreland, 1998).

Functional disability index

The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) is intended to measure the disability level due to LBP. It consists of ten questions: pain intensity, personal care, lifting, walking, sitting, standing, sleeping, sex life, and social life. Depending on performance ability, 6 levels (0 to 5 points) can be specified: the higher the score, the greater the disability (Fairbank, 2014). The ODI is calculated by dividing the total score by the number of questions answered and multiplying by 100.

Data analysis

Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS ver. 18.0 (IBM Co., Armonk, NY, USA). The Shapiro–Wilk test was used to check the normal distribution of data. The paired t-test was performed to compare pulmonary function, pain, and ODI values within the groups before and after intervention. The independent t-test was performed to compare the test and control groups. The level of significance was set at α=0.05.

RESULTS

Comparison of FEV₁ changes

The changes in FEV₁ after 6-week treatment are detailed in Table 3. Within-group changes in FEV₁ were significant in the experimental group (t=−9.56, P<0.01) but not in the control group. FEV₁ improved more significantly in the experimental group than in the control group (t=3.19; P<0.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.21–0.97).

Table 3.

Comparison of FEV₁, VAS, and ODI values between the experimental and control groups (n=30)

Variable	Experimental group (n=15)		Control group (n=15)		t	Between groups
	Pretest	Posttest	Pretest	Posttest		95% CI	P-value
FEV1 (L)	3.18±0.44	3.82±0.36*,†	3.20±0.58	3.23±0.62	3.19	0.21–0.97	0.00*
VAS (score)	6.60±1.12	2.40±0.54*,†	6.53±1.11	4.57±0.90*	−7.97	−2.72 to −1.61	0.00*
ODI (score)	33.27±6.76	21.27±3.37*,†	33.53±4.75	28.93±4.61*	−5.20	−10.68 to −4.65	0.00*

Values are presented as mean±standard deviation.

FEV₁, forced expiratory volume at 1 second; VAS, visual analog scale; ODI, Oswestry Disability Index.

^*Significant difference within groups (P<0.01).

^†Significant difference between groups (P<0.01).

Comparison of VAS changes

The changes in VAS after 6-week treatment are detailed in Table 3. Within-group changes were significant in both the experimental group (t=18.44, P<0.01) and the control group (t=8.50, P<0.01). VAS was reduced to a greater extent in the experimental group than in the control group (t=−7.97; P<0.01; 95% CI, −2.72 to −1.61).

Comparison of ODI changes

The changes in FEV₁ after 6-week treatment are detailed in Table 3. Within-group changes were significant in both the experimental group (t=8.99, P<0.01) and the control group (t=18.08, P<0.01). The reduction in ODI was greater in the experimental group than in the control group (t=−5.20; P<0.01; 95% CI, −10.68 to −4.65).

DISCUSSION

This study addressed the effect of PNF-AMST on pulmonary function, pain, and functional disability index in CLBP patients. Kim et al. (2009) conducted AMST for 5 days in a sitting position in patients’ caregivers with CLBP. They found that AMST was required for at least 5 days in order to significantly reduce VAS and improve FEV₁. Lee (2012) measured FEV₁ according to the presence or absence of AM contractions in 20 college women and found a significant improvement in FEV₁ when AM were contracted. In a study by Kang et al. (2015) on stroke patients, the experimental group with AMST was found to have improved FEV₁ compared to the control group, which focused on trunk stability. From these studies, we can see that AMST is needed to improve pulmonary function, especially FEV₁. In this study, FEV₁ in the PNF-AMST (experimental) group was significantly improved by the intervention (P<0.01). Also, there was a significant difference in FEV₁ between the two groups (P<0.01). There was a slight difference in the exercise method, similar to previous studies, but it was possible to support PNF-AMST using patterns and techniques at various positions for AM facilitation and strengthening. The reason for this is the effect of motor control and learning due to the contraction force and increased strength of the forced expiratory muscles rectus abdominis, external and internal oblique AMs, and transversus abdominis due to repeated PNF-AMST.

In a study by Jeon and Lee (2009), the PNF exercise group (30 patients with CLBP), which performed the PNF chopping and lifting pattern 3 times a week for 6 weeks, showed a significant improvement in VAS in comparison with before the intervention and with the control group. Kim et al. (2011) randomized 30 CLBP patients to the control group (I), core exercise group (II), and PNF core exercise group (III). After 4 weeks of intervention (5 times a week), VAS was significantly improved in groups II and III in comparison with before the intervention. There was a significant difference between group I and groups II and III in a post hoc comparison. Lee et al. (2014b) randomized 40 production workers with CLBP to the PNF exercise group and the ball exercise group. After 6 weeks of intervention, VAS was significantly improved in both groups in comparison with before the intervention. There was no significant difference between the two exercise groups at 2 and 4 weeks, but there was a significant improvement in the PNF exercise group compared with the ball exercise group at 6 weeks. In our current study, VAS was significantly improved by the intervention in the PNF-AMST group (P<0.01). Also, there was a significant difference between the PNF-AMST and control groups (P<0.01). These results suggest that AM are activated through PNF-AMST, tone is relaxed in low back muscles, and lumbar muscles are balanced to reduce load on vertebral muscles.

Park and Seo (2014) showed a significant improvement in ODI preintervention and postintervention and in intergroup comparisons in the experimental group of 30 obese men with CLBP who underwent PNF scapular and pelvic patterns 3 times a week for 4 weeks. Park and Wang (2015) conducted KEOMT (Kaltenborn–Evjenth orthopedic manual therapy) and PNF techniques 3 times a week for 4 weeks in CLBP patients and found a significant improvement in ODI before and after the intervention. In 24 patients with CLBP, Kim et al. (2014) found that ODI was significantly improved in the PNF exercise group both in comparison with before the intervention and with control the group; in that study, the PNF exercise group performed PNF sprinter and skater training 5 times a week for 6 weeks. In our current study, ODI in the PNF-AMST group was significantly improved by the intervention (P<0.01). Also, there was a significant difference between the PNF-AMST and control groups (P<0.01). These results indicate that PNF-AMST enhances deep stabilizing muscles and affects the functional recovery of AM, thereby reducing transmission of stimuli from tissue surrounding the vertebrae, joint capsule, ligament, and other pain receptor systems.

In this study, PNF-AMST was effective in enhancing pulmonary function by AM-fortified forced expiratory muscles. Due to active contraction, the improvement in AM strength not only relieved CLBP but also prevented its recurrence as trunk stability was improved. CLBP prevention is a very important factor. Based on these results, we expect that a steady study will be needed to strengthen AM using PNF in the future.