Analysis of posture, muscular strength and EMG data in individuals with lumbar spinal stenosis

This study aims to find out whether there is difference between individuals diagnosed with LSS and healthy individuals in terms of pain, deep lumbar muscle strength, muscle activation and posture. The scope of the study consists of 48 LSS diagnosed patients (mild lumbal spinal stenosis, moderate lumbal spinal stenosis, severe lumbal spinal stenosis) with 55.19 ±10.41 (years) age average. Control group consists of 48 voluntary and healthy individuals with 58.15 ±8.44 (years) age average. Pain of the individuals is assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS), posture and spinal activity is measured by spinal mouse device, strength of the deep lumbar muscles is assessed by stabiliser bio-feedback device, muscle activation is assessed by surface electromyography (sEMG), daily life activity efficacy is measured by Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). VAS and ODI parameters are statistically significant (p<0.05) for LLS group (mild-moderate, mild-severe, moderate-severe). When LSS group compared with the control group, deep lumbar muscle strength, posture and spinal activity mobility parameter, muscle activation parameters are also statistically significant (p<0.05) When LSS diagnosed individuals and healthy individuals compared, muscle activations is observed to be less and deep lumbar muscle strength to be more in healthy individuals while spinal activity is not different between two groups. Most of the LSS patients have not received physiotherapy. Individuals are observed to have more deficiency and more pain as the severity of LSS increase. When patients are active, they feel more pain, deep lumbar muscle strength decrease and muscle activation increased. Keywords: Pain, low back, muscle activation, posture, lumbar spinal stenosis