Purpose:
Chronic nonspecific low back pain is one of the main challenges of global health systems. Although myofascial release (MFR) has been proposed as a promising therapeutic method, previous studies have failed to examine its effects on neuromuscular control during functional activities. This study aims to answer the question of whether MFR can instantaneously alter the activation pattern of low back stabilizing muscles in lifting tasks by designing a standard protocol and using surface electromyography. The findings of this research could provide a foundation for designing combined rehabilitation protocols.
Methods:
This single-blind clinical trial study was performed on 54 patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain who were admitted based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups (intervention and placebo). The amount of electromyographic activity of erector spine langisimus and oliocostalis, multididus, abdominal nudity, internal abdominal oblique, external oblique, and rectus abdominis. before and after myofascial release and immediately during loading was recorded in the intervention and placebo groups.
Results:
Myofascial release was significant (p<0.05) on decreasing RMS and increasing delay in activity of right transverse abdominis muscle during loading and significantly increased activity delay for left multifidus. Myofascial release as a placebo also affected the electromyographic activity of all trunk muscles except left transverse abdominis, right multifidus, right rectus abdominis, and right and left iliocostalis during loading.
Conclusion:
According to the findings of this study, the impact of myofascial release on trunk muscles was immedietly significant only for the right transversus abdominis and multifidus during lifting, highlighting the clinical importance of myofascial release for these muscles. We concluded that myofascial release can be considered to modulate the activity of these specific stabilizing muscles during functional activities. However, the instability of electromyographic responses necessitates caution in interpreting electrophysiological findings as a single indicator of effectiveness. It is recommended to use MFR as an adjunctive method alongside other therapies (such as stability exercises) to improve neuromuscular control.