Exercise and tropism of the multifidus muscle in low back pain: a short review.
[Purpose] The purpose of this review was to investigate the types of exercises that can improve the tropism of the multifidus muscles, based on clinical evidence. [Methods] Following to the PICO (Problem, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) model, we considered studies of subjects with specific or non-specific LBP that used exercises aimed at activating the lumbar multifidus muscle and measured its cross-sectional area or thickness with ultrasound, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. [Results] This review found that most studies compared different types of exercises for lumbar muscles, but without specifically investigating the multifidus muscle. However, a few studies showed that the cross-sectional area and thickness of the multifidus muscle can be increased by activating this muscle, and they progressed from motor control to increased static and dynamic loads. [Conclusion] A review of the literature revealed that specific supervised and home exercises may improve the symmetry of the multifidus muscle.
School of Physical Therapy, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Italy.
Paolo
P
Pillastrini
Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Italy.
Silvano
S
Ferrari
Hospital of Trento, Italy.
Silvia
S
Rattin
School of Physical Therapy, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Italy.
Andrea
A
Cupello
IRCCS Don Gnocchi Foundation: Via Largo Paolo VI, Rovato 25038, BS, Italy.
Jorge Hugo
JH
Villafañe
School of Physical Therapy, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Italy.
Carla
C
Vanti
Diagnosis; Exercise; Multifidus muscle