Effect of thigh muscle strength training through telerehabilitation in volunteers with low back pain. A controlled and randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND

Low back pain (LBP) is a clinical condition with a high global incidence that significantly impacts the quality of life, including psychological, physical, and social aspects. It commonly leads to an impairment in muscle strength and activation.

RESEARCH QUESTION: The aim of the study was to assess the short-term effects of thigh muscle strength training conducted via telerehabilitation and in-person in patients with self-reported LBP.

METHODS

The telerehabilitation and control groups completed 10 strength training sessions, five times a week. Both groups were evaluated for electromyographic parameters, maximal isometric voluntary contraction (MIVC), and the number of maximum repetitions of knee flexion-extension movements.

RESULTS

Telerehabilitation increased the recruitment of the right rectus femoris (p < 0.05). It improved the maximum repetition capacity for the left knee extension (p < 0.01) movement and for the right and left knee flexion(p < 0.05); however, it was able to reduce the MIVC right and left knee flexion (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Telerehabilitation was able to increase the recruitment of the right biceps femoris muscles and maintain the recruitment of the right and left rectus femoris; improve the maximum repetition capacity for left knee extension and of both the right and left knees flexion movement. However, it could not increase the MVIC after the training period.