The Effect of Diaphragm Muscle Training on Chronic Low Back Pain
The Effect of Diaphragm Muscle Training on Chronic Low Back Pain
Brief Summary: Low back pain is very common problem in all the developed countries and
 affects children to elderly. Based on the etiology the low back pain is divided into two
 type: nonspecific and specific low back pain. If the pathological reason is known it is
 defined as specific and if the reason for the pain is unknown it is defined as nonspecific
 low back pain. The postulated reason for nonspecific low back pain is the segmental
 instability of the lumbar spine. Diaphragm muscle has a role in maintaining the segmental
 stability. The aim of this study to reduce the severity of the low back pain with improving
 the stability of the lumbar spine by using diaphragm training.
The study is a randomized controlled trial. The participants are divided randomly into two
 groups. One of the groups take part in a complex training which contains stretching,
 strengthening, mobilizing exercises and proprioceptive training and this training is
 completed by diaphragm strengthening exercises. This group is defined as diaphragm training
 group. The members of the diaphragm training group use the POWERbreathe Medic Plus device.
 Opposed to the diaphragm training group the members of the control group take part only in
 the complex training without strengthening the diaphragm muscle. The pain intensity is
 assessed by Visual Analogue Scale and the diameter of the stabilizer muscles' belly is
 measured by B-mode ultrasound examination, using Zonare Z.One Ultrasound System (Mountain
 View, CA, USA). The thickness of the transversus abdominis muscle, the lumbar multifidus
 muscle and the diaphragm muscle is assessed in two different positions: during lying and
 during sitting position with weightlifting. The muscles are measured in two different states:
 a relaxed and a contracted state. Functional tests and a balance platform (NeuroCom) are used
 to measure the stability, and the function of the diaphragm is assessed by using a
 POWERbreathe KH2 device.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Chronic low back pain

 -  Do not take part in other treatment

 -  Be able to learn the usage of diaphragm trainer

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Balance problems with neurological cause

 -  Malignant tumor

 -  Serious organ disease

 -  Respiratory disease

 -  A previous surgical intervention which affected the trunk

 -  The patient is unable to cooperate