title: Changes in Transversus Abdominis Muscle Thickness after Lumbo-Pelvic Core Stabilization Training among Chronic Low Back Pain Individuals.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Lumbo-pelvic core stabilization training (LPST) is one of the therapeutic exercises common in practice for rehabilitation of patients with chronic low back pain. This study was carried out to examine the therapeutic effects of LPST on the muscle thickness of transversus abdominis (TrA) at rest and during contraction among patients with chronic non-specific low back pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 25 participants (7 males and 18 females) with chronic non-specific low back pain participated in a within-subject, repeated measures, double-blinded, placebo-controlled comparisons trial. The participants received three different types of experimental therapeutic training conditions which includes the lumbo-pelvic core stabilization training (LPST), the placebo treatment with passive cycling (PC) and a controlled intervention with rest (CI). The interventions were carried out by randomization with 48 hours between the sessions. The effectiveness of interventions was studied by measuring the changes in muscle thickness of TrA at rest and during contraction using a real time ultrasonography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Repeated measures ANOVA demonstrated that the LPST provided significant therapeutic benefits as measured by an increase in the muscle thickness of the TrA at rest (p<0.05) and during contraction (p<0.01). The percentage change of the muscle thickness observed during LPST was significantly higher (p<0.01) when compared to the other two experimental training conditions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings indicated that the LPST might provide therapeutic benefits by increasing the muscle thickness and function of TrA. Therefore, it is suggested that LPST technique should be considered as part of management program for treatment of low back pain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand - Physiotherapy Programme, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, 50300, Malaysia.
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Leonard
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Paungmali
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sitilertpisan
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Pirunsan
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Uthaikhup
mesh_terms: D000009:Abdominal Muscles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000328:Adult; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008161:Lumbosacral Region; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D010388:Pelvis; D012146:Rest; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography
keywords: Back pain; Core stabilization; Lumbo-pelvic exercise; Rehabilitation; Transversus abdominis