The measured effectiveness of one-session electromyographic biofeedback on pelvic tilt performance in chronic low back pain patients
Date
1981
Authors
Glasser, Charlene Daryl
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The effect of one-session electromyographic (EMG) biofeedback on pelvic tilt instruction to chronic low back pain patients was investigated. This study was conducted to determine the clinical usefulness of the Cyborg J33 electromyographic biofeedback machine. Thirty subjects were measured for pelvic tilt success and erector spinae electromyographic activity in one 30- minute session. The 15 subject experimental group received biofeedback in the second stage of the four stage experiment. Each stage, except stage four, consisted of establishing an erector spinae EMG baseline for one minute followed by five consecutive, five second pelvic tilt trials. Success was achieved when the subject reduced by one-half, in each pelvic tilt trial, the EMG baseline.
No significant difference was found between the experimental and control groups on the number of successful pelvic tilt trials or averaged EMG activity . A significant difference was found for the averaged EMG activity be tween females and males at the p < .01, and between those subjects who performed at least one successful pelvic tilt and those who did not at p < .O5.
The results suggest that the use of one session EMG biofeedback to help patients achieve pelvic tilt success may not be appropriate for muscle re-education or movement training. This study indicates not all chronic back pain patients may benefit from (EMG) biofeedback. The Cyborg J33 may prove useful as a screening tool in identifying patients most likely to learn different muscle or movement positions from biofeedback. In a group setting , the Cyborg J33 may be best utilized to provide additional visual and auditory cues in the demonstration of biomechanical principles applied to static and dynamic postures.