Comparison of Female Geriatric Lumbar-Extension Strength: Asymptotic Versus Chronic Low Back Pain Patients and Their Response to Active Rehabilitation
Vert Mooney, M.D, San Diego
Professor of Orthopaedics UCSD, Medical Director Orthomed Center, San Diego
This study compared lumbar extension strength between healthy asymptomatic geriatric females and symptomatic females of about the same age seeking medical attention for chronic low back pain. The mean age was 68.3 years. The symptomatic group used MedX lumbar extension machines to preform isotonic exercises two times per week at first and later, once a week. There was an average of 20 visits with an average length of treatment of 97 days.
Range of motion and strength were significantly different between the symptomatic and asymptomatic groups. The asymptomatic group was tested in the same manner as the symptomatic group and at the start of treament there was a considerable deficit in strength in the symptomatic group. However, at the completion of treatment, strength and range were near the same as in the asymptomatic group. The strength had increased an average of 71 % with pain reduction average at 60%. Two patients did not signifcantly improve in their pain. One with a pseudarthrosis and one with severe degenerative scoliosis.
The study does indicate the possibility of signifcant improvement in strength, even in a non-athletic eiderly population. lt also demonstrates the validity of norms, which was confirmed by testing of the non- symptomatic group and the retum to these levels of strength when the symptomatic group had finished training and improved their strength. There appears to be a correlation with strength and pain reduction in the majority of patients.
This paper was published in the Joumal of Spinal Disorders, volume 9, pages 17-22, 1996.