"Examination of the Impact of a Dynamic Flexion Orthosis (Dynaflex®Ottobock) or of a Back Bandage (Lumbo Sensa®Ottobock) on the Voluntary Activation of the Back Muscles in Patients With Specific Back Pain"

"Examination of the Impact of a Dynamic Flexion Orthosis (Dynaflex®Ottobock) or of a Back Bandage (Lumbo Sensa®Ottobock) on the Voluntary Activation of the Back Muscles in Patients With Specific Back Pain"

"Examination of the Impact of a Dynamic Flexion Orthosis (Dynaflex®Ottobock) on the Voluntary Activation of the Back Muscles in Patients With Specific Low Back Pain" and "Examination of the Impact of a Back Bandage (Lumbo Sensa®Ottobock) on the Voluntary Activation of the Back Muscles in Patients With Specific Low Back Pain"

Aim of the study is to analyze systematically by using surface EMG the effect of the dynamic flexion orthosis Dynaflex® and the back bandage Lumbo Sensa® on the voluntary activation of the low back muscles and thereby on the muscles' stiffness. Patients have to pass a course with 6 different exercises in which they have to carry out certain activities of daily life under controlled conditions to examine, if the particular technical aid has a positive impact on pain-related activation of the back muscles.

Usually low back pain is accompanied by male and prolonged activation of the back muscles through the Central Nervous System. It has been proved that this male innervation pattern are often related to a to the spine asymmetrical muscular activation. Biomechanically, both the asymmetric muscular activation as well as the prolonged activation of the muscles causes additional stress to the already damaged structures resulting in additional pain. Technical aids like back orthoses or bandages are supposed to relax the painful muscles and reduce pain in this way. However, no studies are available which analyze systematically the effect of such technical aids on the activation pattern of the back muscles. Aim of the study is to analyze systematically the effect of the dynamic flexion orthosis Dynaflex® and of the back bandage Lumbo Sensa® on the activation of the back muscles via surface EMG. On the one hand it shall be proven that the analyzed technical aids have an immediate impact on the activation of the back muscles which reduces the pain symptoms continuously. On the other hand it shall be demonstrated that surface EMG is a suitable approach to examine the effect of technical aids on the muscular activation of the back muscles focusing everyday situations or movements for the first time. From the results it shall be concluded on the everyday effect of orthosis or bandages for the discharge of the back muscles.

20 Patients with specific back pain will get Lumbo Sensa® bandage. Study related procedures include a course with 6 exercises which shall be performed at the beginning and completion of the intervention: standing upright for 60s, keeping the upper body statically bent forward 40 degrees for 30s, carrying weight (1 kg) over a circular trajectory 3 times, stairs up and down for 60s, Chair rising test for 30s and 6 minutes walking test at the beginning and the end of the course. In addition, surface electromyogram (EMG) of the back muscles via surface electrodes during the course exercises will be recorded. Study procedures are the same for all study groups.

20 Patients with specific back pain will get Dynaflex® flexion orthosis. Study related procedures include a course with 6 exercises which shall be performed at the beginning and completion of the intervention: standing upright for 60s, keeping the upper body statically bent forward 40 degrees for 30s, carrying weight (1 kg) over a circular trajectory 3 times, stairs up and down for 60s, Chair rising test for 30s and 6 minutes walking test at the beginning and the end of the course. In addition, surface electromyogram (EMG) of the back muscles via surface electrodes during the course exercises will be recorded. Study procedures are the same for all study groups.

20 Patients with specific back pain will get no intervention. Study related procedures include a course with 6 exercises which shall be performed at the beginning and completion of the intervention: standing upright for 60s, keeping the upper body statically bent forward 40 degrees for 30s, carrying weight (1 kg) over a circular trajectory 3 times, stairs up and down for 60s, Chair rising test for 30s and 6 minutes walking test at the beginning and the end of the course. In addition, surface electromyogram (EMG) of the back muscles via surface electrodes during the course exercises will be recorded. Study procedures are the same for all study groups.

20 healthy Subjects of the same age without back pain participate in the course for one time to prove the significance of the procedures. (control group) Study related procedures include a course with 6 exercises: standing upright for 60s, keeping the upper body statically bent forward 40 degrees for 30s, carrying weight (1 kg) over a circular trajectory 3 times, stairs up and down for 60s, Chair rising test for 30s and 6 minutes walking test at the beginning and the end of the course. In addition, surface electromyogram (EMG) of the back muscles via surface electrodes during the course exercises will be recorded. Study procedures are the same for all study groups.

change in activation of the lumbar muscles at everyday movements on targeted application of technical aids such as dynaflex® or LumboSensa® at 1 month assessed by questionnaires

change in activation of the lumbar muscles at everyday movements on targeted application of technical aids such as dynaflex® or LumboSensa® at 1 month assessed by course exercises

course: standing upright for 60s, keeping the upper body statically bent forward 40 degrees for 30s, carrying weight (1 kg) over a circular trajectory 3 times, stairs up and down for 60s, Chair rising test for 30s and 6 minutes walking test at the beginning and the end of the course

surface electromyogram (EMG) of the back muscles via surface electrodes during the course exercises will be recorded

course: standing upright for 60s, keeping the upper body statically bent forward 40 degrees for 30s, carrying weight (1 kg) over a circular trajectory 3 times, stairs up and down for 60s, Chair rising test for 30s and 6 minutes walking test at the beginning and the end of the course

Inclusion Criteria: for the application with Dynaflex®: central or foraminal lumbar stenosis, Claudicatio spinalis pathology degenerative lumbar instability (e.g. Spondylolisthesis) with lumboischialgia or Claudicatio spinalis pathology herniated vertebral disk with forms of ischialgia pain age: 18-80 years additionally for the application with LumboSensa®: scoliosis osteoporosis inflammatory rheumatic back pain Failed Back Surgery Syndrome painful conditions after stabilizing or reinforcing surgeries Exclusion Criteria: paresis of the lower extremity contact allergy to orthotic material diseases in body regions with contact to orthosis, which become manifest neurologically/dermatologically acute Spondylodiscitis tumor diseases recent vertebral body fractures pregnant and lactating females subject has been committed to an institution by legal or regulatory order dependency or working relationship with the investigator participation in a parallel interventional clinical study

Head: Dept. of Rehabilitation and Prevention Engineering, Institute of Applied Medical Engineering RWTH Aachen University

Dept. of Rehabilitation- and Prevention Engineering, Institute of Applied Medical Engineering, Helmholtz Institute of RWTH Aachen University & Hospital