【論文摘要】The Relationship Between Hamstring Flexibility, Stiffness, Pain and Disability Level in the Individuals With Non-specific Low Back Pain

【論文摘要】腿後肌群的柔軟度及彈性對於非特異下背痛的失能及疼痛的關聯性

陳日璟(Jih-Ching Chen) ； 林呈鳳(Cheng-Feng Lin)

《物理治療》 46卷2期 (2021/06) Pp. 168-169

https://doi.org/10.6215/FJPT.202106.P65

摘要

Background and Purpose: Non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) is a multi-factor problem. Lower flexibility and higher stiffness of hamstring have been found in NSLBP compared to healthy people. Pelvic range of motion would be restricted by hamstring muscles; in that case, lumbar spine mobility would be increased to compensate for insufficient trunk motion. Then, lever arm of the trunk extensor muscle is increased that resulted in increased torque over the lumbar spine, and may eventually contribute to the lumbar injury. Thus, this study aimed to understand: (1) the relationship between hamstring flexibility and pain, and disability level of NSLBP and (2) the relationship between hamstring stiffness and pain, and disability level of NSLBP. Methods: Subjects were allocated to mild pain group (n = 4), visual analog scale lower than 3, and moderate pain group (n = 13), visual analog scale was 3-6. Passive straight leg raise (PSLR) test was evaluated to represent the hamstring flexibility. Myoton Pro (Myoton AS, Estonia and Myoton Ltd London) was used to evaluate hamstring stiffness by measuring the muscle belly, proximal and distal muscle-tendon junction of biceps femoris and semitendinosus during prone position with relaxed body, and, averaged stiffness of both muscles. Oswestry disability index (ODI) were used to evaluate the disability level. Results: PSLR was lower in the moderate pain group (63.0° ± 7.7°) compared to the mild moderate group (70.1° ± 3.0°). Hamstring stiffness was lower in the moderate pain group (291.0 ± 36.5 N/m) compared to the mild pain group (292.4±53.2 N/m). ODI was higher in the mild pain group (5.5 ± 2.5 scores) compared to the moderate pain group (6.7 ± 4.2 scores). Conclusion: Lower hamstring flexibility and stiffness might have the tendency toward the increase of pain intensity in NSLBP. Clinical Relevance: This study provides an evidence for clinical practitioners that the lower flexibility of hamstring might increase the pain. To prevent the exacerbation of the pain intensity in NSLBP, the improvement of hamstring flexibility is of the importance.