Effect of blood flow restriction training with core stabilization exercise on muscle activity and muscle thickness in subjects with nonspecific chronic low back pain

BackgroundBlood flow restriction (BFR) is considered an alternative method for increasing muscle activity and thickness to reduce Nonspecific Chronic Low back pain (NSCLBP).ObjectivesThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of BFR with core stabilization exercise (CSE) on muscle activity, muscle thickness, and disability in individuals with NSCLBP.MethodsA total of 38 individuals with NSCLBP aged 18-45 years were included in this study. The participants were randomly divided into the BFR + CSE and CSE groups (n = 19 each). All participants underwent supervised rehabilitation sessions three times per week over a period of four consecutive weeks. Muscle activity, muscle thickness, and disability were assessed before and after the four-week intervention.ResultsThe BFR + CSE group showed significant within-group improvement in muscle activity of the transversus abdominis (TrA), multifidus (MF), and gluteus maximus (Gmax), muscle thickness at rest and during contraction, and disability (<i>p</i> < 0.05). The CSE group showed a significant increase in electromyography activity of the MF muscle (<i>p</i> < 0.05), a significant increase in muscle thickness at rest for the TrA, MF, and Gmax muscles (<i>p</i> < 0.05), and only a significant increase in muscle thickness during contraction for the TrA muscle (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Additionally, the BFR + CSE group exhibited superior benefits compared to the CSE group across all variables.ConclusionBFR combined with CSE over four weeks is more effective in improving TrA, MF, and Gmax muscle strength, muscle thickness, and disability.