Surface electromyography in the diagnosis of acute nonspecific low back pain in recruits

Wang Jiaxu; Chen Zhiming; Hao Yongyu; Ma Chi; Chen Pei; Jin Xiaozhe; Zhang Hanqing; Wu Jigong; Cui Xiang

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1009-4237.2025.01.003

Abstract：Objective To explore the feasibility of surface electromyography as an auxiliary diagnostic tool for acute nonspecific low back pain(ANLBP)among grassroots recruits,to provide a reference for the evaluation of paraspinal muscle conditions and treatment effects,and further to guide scientific retraining.Methods This case-control study included 62 male recruits diagnosed with ANLBP after military training(ANLBP group)and 62 healthy male recruits(control group).All of them aged 20-25 years,with an average of 22.5 years.The ANLBP re-cruits received massage and oral administration of celecoxib capsules and eperisone hydrochloride for 2 weeks.The electrophysiological activities of the vertical spinal muscles were monitored using a portable muscle electrical signal monitor at standard flexion-extension movements,i.e.,4 postures:the lumbar spine was slowly bent forward to the maximum(flexion process)in the standing state and held for 5 s(flexion maintenance),and then slowly straight-ened(extension process)to the standing position(upright position).The surface electromyography before and after treatment was collected and recorded,and then the average electromyography(AEMG)was calculated by fast Fou-rier transform.The VAS and digital base distance(DFTF)were also monitored before and after treatment.Results Compared with the healthy controls,the ANLBP group before treatment showed significantly higher AEMG during the flexion process(uV/s,27.3±7.4 vs.16.8±6.8)and flexion maintenance(uV/s,29.1±5.5 vs.8.9±3.2)(both P<0.05),whereas much lower AEMG during the extension process(uV/s,48.2±19.3 vs.88.6±20.7,P<0.05).The upright position revealed no significantly different AEMG between the two groups(P>0.05).After 2 weeks of treatment,the VAS and DFTF of the ANLBP group were significantly decreased,indicating obvious im-provement(both P<0.05).The AEMG of the ANLBP group showed a consistent result:it was significantly de-creased during the flexion process(uV/s,15.2±6.4)and flexion maintenance(uV/s,7.9±3.3),but significantly increased during the extension process(uV/s,90.5±23.2),compared with that before treatment(all P<0.05).It was found that the changes in AEMG during the flexion process and flexion maintenance were significantly correlated with the improvements in VAS and DFTF(both P<0.05).Conclusion Surface electromyography can quickly di-agnose ANLBP in recruits.It may be an auxiliary diagnostic tool for ANLBP diagnosis in basic recruits.