| Objective: To observe the effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on chronic nonspecific low back pain (CNLBP). Methods: Totally, 41 patients with CNLBP were ranclomly divided into observation group (n=21) and control group (n=20). Patients in both groups were treated with conventional rehabilitation therapy, and the observation group was given PNF training additionally. The efficacy and function were evaluated before and after treatment using the visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI) and 36-item short form survey (SF-36). The EMG signals of erector spinae muscle, rectus abdominis and obliquus externus abdominis were collected using surface EMG. The root mean square (RMS) and average electromyogram (AEMG) were analyzed, and the flexion-relaxation ratio (FRR) was also calculated. Results: After 4 weeks of treatment, the VAS score and ODI index in two groups decreased significantly (P<0.05), while SF-36 score, RMS of erector spinae, rectus abdominis and obliquus externus abdominis and FRR increased significantly as compared with those before treatment (P<0.05). The improvement of each index in the observation group was better than that in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: The addition of PNF training to conventional rehabilitation therapy can significantly improve the function and efficacy of patients with CNLBP. |
